DENVER – Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton on Saturday night in Denver spoke directly to Colorado Democrats, hoping to recruit supporters ahead of the March 1 caucus.
Their comments on Saturday came at a pivotal political time, given news of conservative Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia’s death.
President Barack Obama’s choice to replace Scalia is sure to be controversial and Senate Republicans have hinted at blocking the appointment. The issue quickly spilled into the presidential election.
“As a presidential candidate, a former law professor, a recovering lawyer and, frankly, a citizen, to hear comments like those of (Senate Majority) Leader Mitch McConnell this evening is very disappointing,” Clinton addressed the audience. “It is totally out of step with our history and our constitutional principles.”
“Some of my Republican colleagues in the Senate have a very interesting view of the Constitution of the United States,” Sanders added. “Apparently, they believe that the Constitution does not allow a Democratic president to bring forth a nominee.”
The two presidential candidates – who have increasingly been sparring with one another – delivered remarks at a critical time in the primary cycle. Clinton’s national lead has nearly vanished and Sanders has dramatically mobilized soldiers in a “political revolution.”
Sanders and Clinton walked away from the Iowa caucuses virtually tied, and Sanders defeated Clinton by an impressive 22 points in New Hampshire.
With the two early elections in the rearview mirror, the candidates can focus on the road ahead, including Colorado, which will caucus as part of Super Tuesday, when 11 states will participate in Democratic primaries and caucuses.
Delegates are becoming critical as the race kicks into high gear. Clinton has an advantage with endorsements, which could translate to superdelegates that back her at the national convention.
Given the backdrop, she was eager to directly address Democratic voters.
“We will work together to build on the progress we made under President Obama to break all the barriers that hold America back,” Clinton said.
She addressed issues such as rising health care costs, college tuition rates, immigration reform, equal pay for women, protecting reproductive health care rights, gun control and bigotry.
“I am not a single-issue candidate and this is not a single-issue country,” Clinton said, taking a veiled punch at Sanders. “Now, more than ever, we need a president who can do all parts of the job on behalf of all Americans.”
Sanders stuck largely to familiar talking points and issues, taking jabs at corporate America, Wall Street and establishment politicians, while underscoring a “rigged economy” and pointing to his grass-roots fundraising effort, with average donations of $27.
“We are living under a corrupt campaign finance system, we are living under a rigged economy, we are living under a broken criminal justice system,” Sanders said.
Prior to his remarks at the dinner, Sanders held a massive rally at the Colorado Convention Center, where 18,000 people attended, according to the campaign.
“This looks to me like a group of people who are prepared to make a political revolution,” Sanders said, standing at a podium in the middle of a sea of frenzied supporters, whose feverish screams could be heard through distant Convention Center halls.
Outside, the Sanders supporters stood in lines that wrapped around city blocks waiting to catch a glimpse of their hero. Some played acoustic guitars and chanted “long live the revolution for peace and justice.” Others encouraged attendees to caucus for Sanders, handing them stickers and shouting, “We rise together; we are the revolution.”
“The main issue here is that we want somebody that is courageous,” said Mike Sciullo of Denver, who waited in the winding line to attend the Sanders rally. “We want somebody to believe in big ideas, and not feel like we’re crippled by the status quo.”
pmarcus@durangoherald.com
