Clinton, Sanders take different lessons from Obama's '08 win
MARION, Iowa (AP) — To Bernie Sanders, President Barack Obama's improbable victory in the 2008 Iowa caucuses was a testament to the power of an inspirational underdog.
The Democratic presidential candidates' theories are driven in part by necessity — Sanders' has undeniable energy heading into the final week of campaigning in Iowa, while Clinton has a massive field operation that's been on the ground for nearly a year.
Sanders is running on a pledge of political revolution, one that builds on what he sees as the country's great moments of change: the rise of trade unions, the legalization of gay marriage, and yes, Obama's unexpected victory in the 2008 Iowa caucuses.
"Eight years ago, all over this country people said an African-American becoming president of the United States, you're nuts, that can't happen, too much racism in America," Sanders said during a campaign stop Saturday.
In a year when voters appear eager to abandon the political elite, Clinton — a former first lady, senator and secretary of state — has embraced her standing as the favored candidate of the Democratic establishment.
The heads of Planned Parenthood and the Human Rights Campaign, one of the largest gay rights organizations, also joined Clinton on the campaign trail Sunday.
Asked whether the backing of Democratic officials matter, Sanders' campaign manager Jeff Weaver said: "People matter."