Bernie Sanders plans to escalate campaign in Iowa and New Hampshire as top aides question strategy

[brooklynite]

CNN

Sen. Bernie Sanders is preparing to renew his focus on early-voting states Iowa and New Hampshire, as frustrations grow inside his presidential campaign over slumping poll numbers and a series of taxing clashes between lower level staff and national leadership.

The campaign's in-house production team recently began shooting its first television ads of the 2020 cycle in Iowa, likely quieting at least one source of dissent among some senior aides, who have been pushing for Sanders to get on the air.

But concerns over the trajectory of Vermont independent's second presidential bid as new evidence emerges that Sen. Elizabeth Warren is beginning to peel away at his base are becoming more pronounced, along with a realization that a failure to launch in Iowa and New Hampshire could spell the campaign's early doom.

Sanders began his 2020 run dedicated to hammering away at the argument that he, more than any other Democrat, was best positioned to deny President Donald Trump a second term. But Sanders is no longer running as the party's lone progressive populist, as he did in 2016. Warren's emergence in that space, and the sense among some Democrats that she is a better bet to successfully unite the party than Sanders or Biden has altered the shape of the race.

[NurseJackie]

1. I guess this means he'll be on the attack?

I think everyone is well in agreement that it's NOT a good idea for any of the candidates (BS included!) to kneecap one of the two people who WILL end up being our party's nominee.

[Me.]

3. I Didn't Know He Had Stopped

[NurseJackie]

4. You're right... the frequency and intensity and absurdity will go up a notch, I'll bet.

[HerbChestnut]

2. I think the rise of Warren took Bernie's campaign off guard.

They likely had a plan on things like when to release policy proposals, when to air ads, when to canvass, etc, assuming Biden would be their primary competition, but Warren's campaign has beaten them to the punch on all of that, which has forced them to play catch up. I'm not sure how he recovers at this point other than having a strong debate performance in October, which he isn't known for.

[comradebillyboy]

8. I think you are correct...nt

[BeyondGeography]

5. They sound disorganized

That starts at the top.

Warren’s campaign reminds me of Obama’s, at least in terms of cohesion and pacing. If their data operation is anywhere near as good watch out.

[ritapria]

6. CNN Hates Bernie and Loves Liz

Bernie is drawing crowds between 500 and 600 in small Iowa Towns …. Renewing his focus in Iowa ? ….He just completed a four day tour of Iowa … The media have lavished upon Elizabeth the most sustained , adoring coverage ever imparted upon a presidential candidate since the advent of television ….This lovefest is not only snuffing out Bernie's presidential bid but the efforts of Harris and Buttigieg as well ...There is only one story in Presidential Politics right now : LIZ IS THE ONE!....

[brooklynite]

7. So, just like Democratic voters?

[blue-wave]

9. He has a lot of escalating (catching up) to do

Per this poll, he's way behind Biden and Warren in New Hampshire.


https://www.cnn.com/2019/09/24/politics/democratic-primary-warren-biden-poll-new-hampshire/index.html