Galindez writes: "Remember that Clinton firewall that included Nevada because of non-white voters? Well Bernie Sanders won the Latino vote in Nevada."



Bernie Sanders. (photo: Karen Bleier/Getty Images)

Nevada Was a Huge Step for Sanders

By Scott Galindez, Reader Supported News

emember that Clinton firewall that included Nevada because of non-white voters? Well Bernie Sanders won the Latino vote in Nevada.

“What we learned today is Hillary Clinton’s firewall with Latino voters is a myth,” Arturo Carmona, deputy political director for Bernie 2016, said. “The Latino community responded strongly to Bernie Sanders’ message of immigration reform and creating an economy that works for all families. This is critically important as we move ahead to states like Colorado, Arizona, Texas and California.”

Just a month ago, Hillary Clinton had a huge lead in Nevada, which the Sanders campaign cut to what looks like about 5 points, according to unofficial results.

A key factor in Sanders’ making up so much ground in Nevada was his strong showing with Latino voters. According to entrance polls, Sanders won among Latino voters by 8 points.

While it is a victory for Clinton, it was not as large a victory as the corporate media is reporting. CNN described it this way: “Hillary Clinton notched a decisive win in the Nevada Democratic caucuses Saturday that could go a long way to helping her regain her footing on the path to the nomination.”

I think “decisive” is a strong word, but it’s consistent with what the talking heads are saying. Once again, they are not giving Sanders a chance to win. In a statement to the press, Sanders congratulated Clinton on a hard fought victory.

“I just spoke to Secretary Clinton and congratulated her on her victory here in Nevada. I am very proud of the campaign we ran. Five weeks ago we were 25 points behind and we ended up in a very close election. And we probably will leave Nevada with a solid share of the delegates,” Sanders said.

“I am also proud of the fact that we have brought many working people and young people into the political process and believe that we have the wind at our back as we head toward Super Tuesday. I want to thank the people of Nevada for their support that they have given us and the boost that their support will give us as we go forward,” Sanders added.

The Sanders campaign saw silver linings in the Nevada results. I spoke to Tad Devine, the senior advisor for the Sanders campaign. He described the result as a huge step forward.

Jeff Weaver, Bernie’s campaign manager, also focused on the Latino vote. He said winning among Latinos is a good sign heading into Arizona, New Mexico and California.

Bernie himself was very optimistic and predicted that in July in Philadelphia one of the greatest political upsets in history will be witnessed.

There is still a clear path to victory for Sanders, and that will be the topic of a future article.

Scott Galindez attended Syracuse University, where he first became politically active. The writings of El Salvador's slain archbishop Oscar Romero and the on-campus South Africa divestment movement converted him from a Reagan supporter to an activist for Peace and Justice. Over the years he has been influenced by the likes of Philip Berrigan, William Thomas, Mitch Snyder, Don White, Lisa Fithian, and Paul Wellstone. Scott met Marc Ash while organizing counterinaugural events after George W. Bush's first stolen election. Scott will be spending a year covering the presidential election from Iowa.

Reader Supported News is the Publication of Origin for this work. Permission to republish is freely granted with credit and a link back to Reader Supported News.