O'Rourke, Sanders Campaigns Face Off All Weekend In Iowa
BURLINGTON, Iowa (CBSDFW.COM/AP) — They became notable presidential candidates in Iowa after narrow losses that nonetheless put them on the national political stage. They're competing for some of the same young voters. And this weekend, they've been driving around this first-in-the-nation caucus state reintroducing themselves to voters as others in the 2020 Democratic field dispersed to New Hampshire, South Carolina and Nevada.
It's been Bernie versus Beto all weekend in Iowa, with both hopefuls reintroducing themselves as the man with a plan to deny President Donald Trump a second term. Sanders, who identifies in Congress as an independent, swept back into the state as the early front runner after raising $18 million in 41 days during the first quarter of the year, the most of any candidate. O'Rourke, a former Texas congressman, raised $9.4 million in 18 days.
In dueling rallies, town halls and house parties, they spoke most of improving health care and affording college tuition.
Other hopefuls fanned out to political hot spots elsewhere, with much the same mission: Gauging early strength in a crowded field and raising enough money to secure a coveted spot in the presidential debates that begin in June.
Republican leaders have relished the jockeying among Democrats.
"I'd be happy with any of 'em, to be honest," the president said of the Democratic derby.
(© Copyright 2019 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
