Bernie Sanders: Obama trying to be "even-handed" in 2016 race
After meeting with Mr. Obama at the White House on Wednesday, Democratic candidate Bernie Sanders told reporters that the president was trying to approach the 2016 primary race without playing favorites.
"What the president has tried to do -- what Vice President Biden has tried to do -- is to be as even-handed as they could be," Sanders said after his hour-long chat in the Oval Office.
The Vermont senator dismissed media reports earlier this week about the White House tipping the primary scales towards Clinton, adding that "I don't believe that at all."
Overall, Sanders described his talk with the president as a "very positive and constructive meeting" that touched on foreign and domestic policy issues as well as politics.
Asked on his differences with the president, Sanders said that it "is also no secret that we have -- as is the case in a Democratic society -- we have differences of opinion." He listed some of their differences, including the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal, which is championed by Mr. Obama and opposed by Sanders.
But, Sanders said, he has remained loyal to the president when it comes to supporting him in elections.
"Barack Obama, when he was United States senator, was kind enough to come to Vermont and campaign for me," he said. "And I have never forgotten that."
When discussing the upcoming Iowa caucuses, Sanders relayed sentiments that his team was "feeling really good about where we are."
He conceded that voter enthusiasm was key to winning the early-nominating state on Feb. 1.
"I'm not saying we could do what Barack Obama did in 2008," Sanders said. "I wish we could, but I don't think we can. But if there is a large turnout, I think we win. If not, i think we're gonna be struggling."
Looking forward to later contests in South Carolina and Nevada, he added, "I think we're going to do a lot, lot better in those states than people think we are."
When pressed on whether he asked the president for his endorsement, Sanders replied, "No, of course not."