Sanders: Hillary ‘Is the Candidate of the Democratic Establishment’

On Sunday’s “State of the Union” on CNN, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT), a candidate for the 2016 Democratic presidential nomination, reacted to the lack of support he has received from his congressional colleagues, including Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-MO), who attacked Sanders and said the media were giving the Vermont senator a pass.

Sanders told host Jake Tapper that he attributed it to his opponent Hillary Clinton being the “establishment” Democratic candidate.

“Well, of course I have a theory as to why that is,” Sanders said. “First of all, I think we will get some endorsements. But I think it’s very clear to say that Secretary Clinton is the candidate of most of the members of Congress, is the candidate of the Democratic establishment. As you know, I am the longest serving independent in the history of the United States Congress. I am running for the Democratic nomination to be president.”

“But, Secretary Clinton has long ties with many of the Democrats in Congress, so it should not be a surprising,” he added. “But I think what is equally interesting is the fact that all over this country, order near people, working people, elderly people, are moving in our direction because they do want a candidate to take on the establishment. So I think we will get some congressional support, as this campaign progresses. But one should not be surprised that much of the establishment is not with me at this point.”

Follow Jeff Poor on Twitter @jeff_poor

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