A Democratic congressman from South Carolina said his state has no interest in the brand of “socialism” that Sen. Bernie Sanders would have to offer as president.
Rep. Joe Cunningham, one of two Democratic congressmen in South Carolina, criticized Sanders on Wednesday after his narrow primary win in New Hampshire, asserting the far-left candidate will never become the nominee.
“South Carolinians don’t want socialism,” Cunningham told local media. “We want to know how you are going to get things done and how you are going to pay for them. Bernie’s proposals to raise taxes on almost everyone is not something the low country wants and not something I’d ever support.”
Cunningham, who unseated a Republican in 2018 by campaigning as a centrist Democrat, said he will not endorse a candidate in the 2020 race before the Feb. 29 primary in South Carolina.
When asked if he’d support Sanders should he become the party’s nominee for president, Cunningham rejected the premise. “Bernie Sanders will not be the nominee,” he said.
Sanders took second place in the Iowa caucuses, falling just behind former South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg. In South Carolina, former Vice President Joe Biden holds a commanding lead with 31% support, according to the RealClearPolitics polling average.
