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Here’s How Bernie Sanders Plans To ‘Steal’ Superdelegates From Hillary Clinton

By Val Powell
Published on: 14:14 PST, Mar 21, 2016

Bernie Sanders is still trailing Hillary Clinton, who’s been supported by a huge number of superdelegates in different states. But in recent interviews, the Vermont senator has revealed that he plans to steal the representatives rallying behind the Democratic front-runner.

Superdelegates are party officials who are able to cast their own votes, which are separate from the primary and caucus results. Hillary Clinton relies heavily on them and because of this fact, Senator Bernie Sanders’ latest tactic is to persuade them to vote for him instead.

The senator’s team noted that although their candidate is not close to the numbers that Hillary Clinton has been racking up in the primaries, they plan to ask the superdelegates to vote for him despite their promises to his opponent. Unless the following primaries go in his favor, Sanders said he is determined to make his case during the conventions scheduled for July.

The senator elaborated more on his plan during an interview with CBS News‘ John Dickerson on Sunday. The host relayed to the senator reports that have surfaced saying that he could possibly go to the convention. Dickerson asked that if he ever does, will he use the tactic to flip the superdelegates. Bernie Sanders answered that the whole concept of superdelegates is problematic, but he is quick to point out that he has won in states by 20 or 25 points. He further says that the representatives should listen to who the people want in their respective home states.

Bernie Sanders Talks about His Chances at the Democratic Nomination

As the opponent of the Democratic front-runner, Sanders pointed out that they have their own decisions to make. He continued on to say that he, Hillary Clinton, and all the representatives for the Democratic Party only have one goal, which is to make sure that no Republican emerges as the winner and occupies the White House. He also said that although he likes the former Secretary of State, he wants to win the presidential race, which is why he plans to use this new campaign tactic.

In another interview with host Rachel Maddow just last week, Bernie Sanders noted that despite Hillary Clinton being ahead of him with hundreds of representatives voting for her, he feels that the next primaries will be more in his favor. He pointed out that moving to the western part of the United States will probably be great for his campaign. He also believes that the West Coast is the most progressive region in the United States, giving him an edge in case he wins in most of the states in the area.

This is not the first time that the poaching of supers has happened. United States President Barack Obama also poached superdelegates from Hillary Clinton during the 2008 elections.

The supporters of Bernie Sanders have also rallied behind him, echoing the senator’s statements that the superdelegates should support the candidate who has been chosen by the Democratic voters and not the party insiders.

Ilya Sheyman, the executive editor of MoveOn.org Political Action, said in a statement that voters will not allow the Democratic Party insiders to determine the outcome of the 2016 Presidential elections.

Hillary Clinton’s number of superdelegates is at 467 as opposed to Bernie Sanders’ 26. As per the pledged delegates, the former secretary of state has won 1,147 while the senator has won 830.

The official nominee for the Democrats will have to get a total of 2,383 votes; although, the delegate results won’t be finalized until July.

[Photo by Ralph Freso/Getty Images]

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