Steyer: Predictions of a Sanders nomination ahead of SC primary are ‘premature’
Billionaire businessman Tom Steyer said predictions that U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders could win the Democratic presidential nomination, emerging ahead of South Carolina’s pivotal primary, are “premature.”
Steyer made the comments during a late-night CNN town hall in Charleston Monday night, in which he took aim at Sanders, the current national front-runner, pointing out that Sanders, fresh off a strong finish in Iowa and wins in New Hampshire and Nevada, is far from the delegate count he needs to win the nomination.
Days before the South Carolina primary, Steyer pointed out that the electorate in the Palmetto State is very different than those in other early voting states.
“I don’t think the three states that lead up to South Carolina dictates what South Carolina says,” Steyer told an audience at the Memminger Auditorium. “That is so early and premature that I can’t believe it.”
Steyer told voters that he does not agree with many of Sanders’ proposals, including those that would allow the “government to take control of parts of our economy,” alluding to the senator’s controversial plan to expand Medicare to all Americans and get rid of private insurers.
CNN’s Chris Cuomo, who was moderating the town hall, pointed out that Sanders’ plans were supported by voters in early voting states where Sanders won or lost by only a slim margin.
Steyer’s attacks on Sanders came as both he and the Vermont senator have gained on South Carolina frontrunner former Vice President Joe Biden in the polls. Steyer has lately come in third in Palmetto State polls.
The California businessman has invested millions in advertising in South Carolina, cornering more than three-fourths of ad spending in the state, and has hired an extensive staff.
Nationally, though, Steyer has failed to gain significant support in polls.
