As the race for the Democratic nomination narrows, so too does the gap between Bernie Sanders and Pete Buttigieg. And that means things are about to get ugly.
Sanders offered a preview of what to expect during Friday’s Democratic primary debate, releasing a new campaign called “Pete’s Billionaires.”
This election is fundamentally about whose side you are on. #PetesBillionaires pic.twitter.com/hZi3uzCmvJ
— Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) February 7, 2020
By highlighting Buttigieg’s Big Money funding, Sanders is attempting to delegitimize Buttigieg’s recent gains in Iowa and New Hampshire. Sanders is suggesting that the only reason Buttigieg’s campaign is succeeding is because the former South Bend, Indiana, mayor has worked with Wall Street and corporations.
In doing so, Sanders is also focusing the ire of the Democratic Party’s progressive wing on Buttigieg ahead of the New Hampshire primary, where Sanders is currently in the lead. Buttigieg isn’t popular among the leftists as it is, but it seems Sanders is trying to make sure that Buttigieg isn’t able to tap into Elizabeth Warren’s camp if she drops out.
Buttigieg is closing in on Sanders in New Hampshire, and if he can win the second primary state, he might have the political momentum necessary to win the Democratic nomination. Sanders knows this, and so do the other candidates. That makes Buttigieg the man to beat.
