Warren and Sanders compete to become Biden's main alternative

Meaning. Elizabeth WarrenElizabeth Ann WarrenWarren and Sanders argue to become the main alternative to Biden Only a president, Biden, would get rid of the Trump era. Sanders forecast to cancel any outstanding medical debt MORE (D-Mass.) And Bernie SandersBernie SandersWarren, Sanders compete to become the main alternative to Biden Only a president, Biden, would rid us of the Trump era. Sanders forecasts plan to cancel any outstanding medical debt PLUS (I-Vt.) Fight to be considered as the main alternative to the former vice-president Joe BidenJoe BidenWarren, Sanders is fighting for being the main alternative to Biden Only a president, Biden, would rid us of Trump's time. in the Democratic presidential race.

Warren has climbed the polls in recent weeks, even surpassing Sanders in some surveys.

But Sanders, who in 2016 was the progressive alternative to the leader Hillary ClintonHillary Diane Rodham ClintonWarren, Sanders argue to become the main alternative to Biden Only a president, Biden, would rid us of the Trump era. GOP fears fear a backlash in the suburbs MORE in the race for the Democratic presidency, holds relatively firmly in the polls. He was ahead of Warren and in second place in some polls, and his team continues to believe that this is underestimated.

In the next presidential debate, on September 12, Warren and Sanders will be present at the Biden presidency, which has retained the national ballot. It will be an opportunity for them to tackle the leader or fight each other, although sources on both sides say they will form a united front again.

Warren and Sanders – who occasionally speak privately and have had a longer conversation at the end of last year, sources said – have, so to speak, avoided attacks against one another. 39, but political observers question the duration of the relaxation.

"The race as I see it at this point is essentially about who will be Biden's main opponent and, more importantly, who will win the much-disputed match between Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders," said a non-Democratic strategist. affiliated to any campaign. "We're getting ready to be Biden versus a Progressive, and that seems to be Elizabeth Warren for the moment. But is Bernie coming back? And who becomes the alternative? That's the biggest question. "

Democratic strategist Chris Kofinis also said the battle of Warren-Sanders was intriguing, especially after Labor Day, as the race intensified and drew closer to the struggles of the early states.

"There is supposedly a non-aggression pact between Warren and Sanders, but these pacts have the means to collapse under pressure," he said.

Warren and Sanders both have their strengths.

Sanders has built a solid infrastructure over the past four years, with e-mail lists that include a powerful small-donor base that has earned nearly $ 6 million on the day of launch.

His influence has helped move the Democratic Party to the left and may even be considered to some extent by the power of rising progressive stars such as Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-CortezAlexandria Ocasio-CortezWarren and Sanders compete to become the main alternative to Biden Ocasio-Cortez unveils Green New Deal art posters in the New York District Ocasio-Cortez defends blocking of people on Twitter PLUS (D-N.Y.). The debates on "Medicare for All", the Green New Deal climate plan and free tuition in colleges were all led by Sanders and became mini-mantras for progressives.

Team Sanders says his candidate behaves better than Warren in the Rust Belt states and says he'd be a stronger challenger for President TrumpDonald John TrumpTrump and the crisis in Hong Kong Warren, Sanders are arguing to become the main alternative to biden Hurricane Dorian is changing lanes towards Georgia, Carolines MORE in general elections.

"Our movement is made up of people with lived experiences who understand the injustices in our country," said Faiz Shakir, Sanders campaign manager, in an email to The Hill this week. "It is a mission to transform America that guides this campaign and will ultimately lead us to victory."

An ally of Sanders acknowledged that there was an element of competition between the two sides regarding the alternative to Biden.

The ally nevertheless acknowledged that "most people will not jump off a cliff, either one or the other."

"Of course, I would prefer Bernie, but I would jump if she won too," said the ally.

Warren's campaign also has tremendous assets.

This is the most dynamic group, and the large crowds gathered for the Warren events in St. Paul, Minnesota, and Seattle have given the impression that she would become this year's inspiring Democrat candidate.

Warren's aides and their allies say the trend lines are good for them. Update on the overall trajectory of the campaign: its series of proposals, the growing size of its crowds and the polls that show it is making a lot of money with young and old voters – not just the younger men supporting Sanders.

"You know his reason for running," said a Warren assistant. "He really started to break."

Democratic strategist Basil Smikle, who was executive director of the Democratic Party of New York State and former Clinton aide, said the fight was continuing.

He said it was clear that even if Biden had interest, many Democratic voters would prefer another candidate.

"Polls suggest that Biden has about a third of the primary electorate, which means that two-thirds want someone else," Smikle said.

"Warren and Sanders are fighting to be an alternative to Biden with a coalition of young progressives," he added. "Both of them still have to wrest some elderly voters, especially African Americans, from Biden stronghold in these constituencies."

Biden has long been considered a weak runner vulnerable to a daunting challenge.

"I do not think people are sold to him," said the Democratic strategist. "Then they will immediately pick that other person."

Over the past month, Biden has been making headlines in a series of gaffes, particularly this week when the Washington Post reported that he had repeatedly confused facts in an article about the latest news. award of a medal to a military hero.

"I think his numbers will diminish as we get closer to Iowa," predicted Adam Parkhomenko, a Democratic strategist who participated in the Clinton campaigns in 2008 and 2016. "Warren's support has grown and resumed. throughout the campaign. His support is much more concrete than Biden's. "

Other strategists see things differently.

They suggest that Sanders or Warren will fall away and that the other will be Biden's rival.

"It will be like in 2008 and 2016," said a strategist. "It will be the leader, Biden, and someone else, the question now is who?"