Bernie Sanders, Hillary Clinton Attract Most Ever To Colorado Democrats Dinner
DENVER (CBS4) - The Democratic candidates for president made a stop in Colorado on Saturday.
Bernie Sanders held a rally at the Colorado Convention Center and former U.S. Rep. Garbielle Giffords and her husband Mark Kelly attended an event for Hillary Clinton. Then Saturday in Denver, Sanders, Clinton and former Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley all attended the Colorado Democrats Dinner.
CBS4 Political Specialist Shaun Boyd was at the event that drew a big crowd to listen to the candidates. The party said it was the biggest crowd, approximately 1,500, in the 83 years the event has been held.
The visits came two weeks before Colorado's caucuses which are key to both candidates' paths to the nomination.
"I do have to congratulate this year's Super Bowl champions, the Denver Broncos," Clinton told the crowd.
Both candidates pointed to Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia's death, saying much is at stake.
"It is outrageous that Republicans in the Senate and on the campaign trail have already pledged to block any replacement that President Obama nominates," Clinton said.
Which candidate takes on the Republican nominee depends on Colorado, a sizeable Super Tuesday caucus state.
"So when you go to caucus on March 1, ask yourself who you can count on to break down every barrier, not just some," Clinton said.
She has the backing of establishment Democrats.
"Real change in America has never taken place from the top on down," Sanders said.
Sanders, a grass roots power progressive, has the support of millennials, which were key to Obama's victory in Colorado.
"Maybe, just maybe, together we can create an economy that works for all Americans, not just the top 1 percent," Sanders said.
Colorado's caucus system favors Sanders' populist message and highly motivated supporters, but women voters often hold the key in Colorado elections. While Clinton wins people over 50, Sanders has a lock on the younger feminists.
Clinton is more organized in Colorado but Sanders shouldn't be underestimated when it comes to his supporters turning out.
