Bernie Sanders Wins Big in Nevada

By Neha Gopal  

Democratic presidential candidate, Bernie Sanders, won by a landslide at the Nevada caucus. He received twice the number of votes compared to his predecessor Joe Biden with close to 50% percent of the popular vote. Other candidates, namely Pete Buttigieg, Elizabeth Warren, Tom Steyer, and Amy Klobuchar follow far behind with lackluster performances. Sanders earned wide support across almost all demographics, especially the large population of Latinos in Nevada.

“We have just put together a multigenerational, multiracial coalition, which is not only going to win in Nevada, but it is going to sweep the country,” Bernie said in his victory speech. Reacting to Sanders’ growing momentum, Pete Buttigieg cautioned, “Senator Sanders believes in an inflexible, ideological revolution that leaves out most Democrats, not to mention most Americans.” This stance echoes widespread concerns from Democrats and the media about Sanders’ democratic socialist policies and electability.

Oddly enough, President Donald Trump came to Bernie’s defense, tweeting, “Looks like Crazy Bernie is doing well in the Great State of Nevada. Biden & the rest look weak, & no way Mini Mike [Bloomberg] can restart his campaign after the worst debate performance in the history of Presidential Debates. Congratulations Bernie, & don’t let them take it away from you!”

Senator Sanders’ triumphs in Iowa, New Hampshire, and now Nevada is expected to expand his support at the next primary in South Carolina, and then several states on “super-Tuesday”. Sanders’ bold ideas about health care, income inequality, climate change, education, prison reform, and more, are clearly gaining traction among people, irrespective of age, sex, race, and region. Time will tell if the establishment will succeed at holding back Bernie in his mission or the populist yearning of the people for change will propel the Vermont senator to the presidency.