Published 11:01 IST, October 19th 2019
Democrat Bernie Sanders set for vigorous campaign in New York
Democrat Bernie Sanders set for a vigorous campaign in New York on October 20. Rep Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Ilhan Omar's endorsement to boost Sanders.
Democratic Presidential candidate Bernie Sanders who suffered a heart attack three weeks back is on to begin a "vigorous" return to the campaign trail with a rally expected to draw thousands of supporters to New York City on October 20 afternoon. Amongst his supporters is Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez who will share the stage with Sanders. As Cortez is one of Sander's high-profile endorsements, she is expected to give a head start to his stagnant White House bid. The event is expected to leave an impression for the 78-year-old Vermont senator who paused campaigning earlier this month as he underwent an emergency heart surgery.
Sanders has to prove his physical stamina after a recent heart attack
Sanders insists the voters that he's more committed than ever for his 2020 White House bid. Yet Sanders has a lot to work on as he has pretty strong contenders in the race. Of his rivals, Elizabeth Warren and establishment favorite Joe Biden are the ones he is particularly looking up to before the contest begins after four months. With his health issues, he also has another challenge which involves proving to his voters that he has the physical stamina to go forward while addressing broader concerns that his policies may be too far left to defeat President Donald Trump in a general election.
Cortez, Illhan's support from Sanders to mobilize young people
The endorsement from Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez "sends the message that the movement is growing, that it's gaining influence, that it's gaining traction," Sanders' campaign manager Faiz Shakir said.
The campaign manager predicts that the 30-year-old progressive star, Cortez's support and the newly announced support from Republican Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., who will not be present Saturday, would help Sanders generate significantly more support from young people and minorities going forward. Shakir said that the two politicians have immense power to mobilise young people. He further said that they'll be seen in Iowa, and also around the country, trying to get people engaged around the issues. The help from the duo is can be used by Sanders for now.
Sanders to join Rep. Rashida Tlaib
The presidential candidate is moving cautiously in the short term. His Queens rally is dated before he returns to Iowa late next week after which he'll join Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., for a tour of her congressional district, the week after. It's unclear whether Tlaib will join Ocasio-Cortez and Omar in endorsing Sanders. She is also part of the so-called "Squad" of minority women on Capitol Hill who has been frequent targets of Trump's attacks. On the other hand, senior adviser Jeff Weaver said that by December Sanders' health scare will be forgotten and he would ease himself back onto the campaign trail.
(With inputs from Associated Press)
Updated 15:17 IST, October 19th 2019