After Nevada, Bernie Sanders faces struggle to broaden appeal

Bernie Sanders’ high-flying Democratic presidential campaign fell back to earth Saturday in Nevada.

If the Vermont senator cannot quickly find a way to broaden his appeal to minorities and union members, last week’s 22-point rout of Clinton in New Hampshire could prove to be his campaign highlight.

The race moves next week to South Carolina, where blacks make up more than half of the Democratic electorate, and on March 1 to a string of southern states with big blocs of African-Americans, who strongly support Clinton and have been slow to warm to Sanders.

The rush of March contests in big, diverse states — Democrats in nearly two dozen states will vote between March 1 and March 15 — could leave Sanders grasping for political life.

Clinton’s convincing showing in Nevada could reduce the chances of a late run by an independent candidate, such as former New York mayor Michael Bloomberg, who would likely scoop up moderate voters turned off by a socialist nominee.

https://bangordailynews.com/2016/02/21/news/nation/after-nevada-bernie-sanders-faces-struggle-to-broaden-appeal/