Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders took an early lead in New Hampshire's Democratic presidential primary on Tuesday.

Sanders was closely followed by Pete Buttigieg and US Senator Amy Klobuchar.

With 25 per cent of precincts reporting, Sanders led with 26.1 per cent and Pete Buttigieg, the moderate former mayor of South Bend, Indiana, had 24.3 per cent. Senator Amy Klobuchar, looking for a breakthrough after a strong debate performance on Friday, was in third with 19.8&nbsp;per cent.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/a-freudian-slip-as-biden-targets-donald-trump-as-hump-at-democratic-forum-in-new-hampshire-248361/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

Former vice president and initial front-runner Joe Biden trailed badly in distant fifth place in the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/latest-world-news-presidential-candidates-fight-for-survival-in-new-hampshire-debate-279433">second contest </a>to find a nominee to face President Donald Trump on November 3, 2020.

Results began rolling in quickly after polls closed, and Democrats in<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/latest-donald-trump-us-elections-democrats-turn-focus-on-new-hampshire-after-iowa-fiasco-278593"> New Hampshire</a> were confident they would have smoother sailing than in Iowa, where embarrassing technical problems and inconsistencies delayed vote-counting and the release of results for days.

Buttigieg narrowly beat Sanders in Iowa, but both campaigns have asked for a partial recanvass of the results.

Democratic voters in New Hampshire chose a candidate from a ballot with 33 names, including candidates who dropped out weeks ago. But it did not include former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, a billionaire who is not competing in any states before the 14 Super Tuesday primaries on March 3, reported news agency Reuters.

Sanders had taken a lead in recent opinion polls in New Hampshire despite a barrage of criticism from rivals who warned his far-left views would lead the party to defeat against Trump. 
&nbsp;

Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders took an early lead in New Hampshire's Democratic presidential primary on Tuesday. Sanders was closely followed by Pete Buttigieg and US Senator Amy Klobuchar.

Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders took an early lead in New Hampshire's Democratic presidential primary on Tuesday. Sanders was closely followed by Pete Buttigieg and US Senator Amy Klobuchar. With 25 per cent of precincts reporting, Sanders led with 26.1 per cent and Pete Buttigieg, the moderate former mayor of South Bend, Indiana, had 24.3 per cent. Senator Amy Klobuchar, looking for a breakthrough after a strong debate performance on Friday, was in third with 19.8 per cent. × Former vice president and initial front-runner Joe Biden trailed badly in distant fifth place in the second contest to find a nominee to face President Donald Trump on November 3, 2020. Results began rolling in quickly after polls closed, and Democrats in New Hampshire were confident they would have smoother sailing than in Iowa, where embarrassing technical problems and inconsistencies delayed vote-counting and the release of results for days. Buttigieg narrowly beat Sanders in Iowa, but both campaigns have asked for a partial recanvass of the results. Democratic voters in New Hampshire chose a candidate from a ballot with 33 names, including candidates who dropped out weeks ago. But it did not include former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, a billionaire who is not competing in any states before the 14 Super Tuesday primaries on March 3, reported news agency Reuters. Sanders had taken a lead in recent opinion polls in New Hampshire despite a barrage of criticism from rivals who warned his far-left views would lead the party to defeat against Trump.

Bernie Sanders takes early lead in New Hampshire primary as Biden lags behind   

US Democratic presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg collected 14 votes and won the tumultuous Iowa caucuses, news agency AFP reported quoting state party on Sunday.

US Democratic presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg collected 14 votes and won the tumultuous Iowa caucuses, news agency AFP reported quoting state party on Sunday. Bernie Sanders came second with 12 votes. The Iowa caucus result was marred by inconsistencies and multiple technical issues, and the outcome has been subject to complaints and demands for a "recanvassing" check of the vote. Buttigieg, the former mayor of South Bend, Indiana, and Sanders, the leftist senator from Vermont, were separated by a razor-thin margin in the caucuses held on Monday. Senator Elizabeth Warren won eight delegates while former vice president Joe Biden won six and Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar won one. "You can expect us to be asking the Iowa Democratic party for a recanvass of the discrepancies that we have identified and found for them," Sanders campaign manager Faiz Shakir told CNN on Sunday. "It's been handled incompetently from our perspective." The national Democratic party chairman has ordered a review of the results following the technological problems and as doubts were raised about the accuracy of the process. (With inputs from AFP)

Iowa caucus: Buttigieg takes a narrow lead over Sanders 

Democratic presidential contenders asked in a debate on Friday whether the views of progressive Bernie Sanders would be too far to the left to attract the voters needed to beat Republican Donald Trump in the Nov.

Democratic presidential contenders asked in a debate on Friday whether the views of progressive Bernie Sanders would be too far to the left to attract the voters needed to beat Republican Donald Trump in the Nov. 3 election. The candidates said Sanders, a self-identified democratic socialist who finished in a dead heat in the first contest in Iowa earlier this week with Pete Buttigieg, the former mayor of South Bend, Indiana, was out of step with everyday Americans. "Donald Trump’s worst nightmare is a candidate who will bring people in from the middle," U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar said at the eighth Democratic debate, four days before New Hampshire's pivotal primary. "I think we need someone to head up this ticket that actually brings people with her instead of shutting them out," she said of Sanders. Former Vice President Joe Biden, reeling from a disappointing fourth-place finish in Iowa, said Trump would have a handy label for Sanders, 78, a leader in the party's progressive wing. "Bernie has labeled himself, not me, a democratic socialist. I think that’s the label that the president is going to lay on everyone running with Bernie if he is the nominee," Biden said. Sanders, who has called for a political revolution that will attract new voters, said "the way to beat Trump is by having the largest voter turnout in the history of this country." He said he could appeal to working class voters who have given up on the political process "because they don’t believe anybody is hearing their pain, perceiving their pain, feeling their pain. And we’ve got to bring young people into the political process." Historically, candidates who win the Iowa caucuses see a boost in New Hampshire, and two opinion polls released this week showed Buttigieg, 38, within striking distance of Sanders, who has consistently been atop the field in the state. But with controversy surrounding the Iowa results, New Hampshire's primary on Tuesday takes on added importance in the race for the Democratic nomination. After the performance in Iowa, Biden's campaign on Friday said that Anita Dunn, a longtime Democratic strategist and former White House aide to President Barack Obama, would assume a larger leadership role within the campaign. Aides to Biden downplayed the move, noting that Dunn has been advising the campaign all along. "This is not a reshuffling," one aide said. "This is giving her a slightly broader portfolio." Also onstage at St. Anselm College in Manchester were California billionaire Tom Steyer and businessman Andrew Yang, who qualified for the debate after missing the earlier one in Iowa. Notably absent was Michael Bloomberg, a billionaire former New York mayor, who is not competing in New Hampshire but has been assembling a formidable campaign operation in later voting states. Although Bloomberg has been ascending in national polls, he has been funding his own campaign and not taking donations, so he failed to meet the donations criteria for the debate.

Democratic candidates question Sanders' electability at New Hampshire debate

With Democratic presidential candidates fighting for their political lives ahead of New Hampshire's primary to choose who will face Republican Donald Trump in November, rivals debating on Friday took shots at one another and tried to separate themselves from the pack.

Here’s how each of the seven contenders on stage fared:

JOE BIDEN 
The former vice president, looking to rebound from a faceplant in Iowa's caucuses this week, obviously wanted to come out on the offensive. Unfortunately, he started the night telling the nation that he probably was going to lose New Hampshire as well.

But Biden grew more assured, tearing into US Senator Bernie Sanders over the cost of his Medicare for All plan and his record on guns while questioning Pete Buttigieg’s lack of experience. Biden seemed to relish in his long record of public service, repeatedly listing his accomplishments as a senator and vice president for Barack Obama. “The politics of the past, I think, were not all that bad,” Biden said.

The risk for Biden is such talk only reinforces the view of some Democrats that his moment has passed and why they’re looking to fresh faces such as Buttigieg. But Biden has little choice but lean even harder into his argument that he is best prepared to take over for President Donald Trump.

<img alt="Biden" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="351e7d0b-29e1-4073-b4d4-3cf068c648ab" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%2897%29_0.jpg" /> 
[&nbsp;Democratic Presidential Candidate and former Vice President Joe Biden (Courtesy: Reuters) ]

PETE BUTTIGIEG 
As expected, everyone came gunning for the 38-year-old boyish former mayor of South Bend, Indiana. Biden and US Senator Amy Klobuchar questioned his thin track record. Klobuchar also suggested Buttigieg had flipped positions on Medicare for All.&nbsp;

Sanders took a shot at his fundraising. And US Senator Elizabeth Warren delivered a brutal critique of Buttigieg’s defence of his record as mayor concerning African Americans and criminal justice.

All of it was designed to make Buttigieg appear unready for the job – and at times he wobbled. At other points, he turned aggressive, labelling Sanders as an extreme candidate who would drive away moderates. Buttigieg did not back down from making his generational argument that it was time to pass the torch.&nbsp;

<img alt="Pete Buttigieg" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="e86f3f22-1b4b-44fd-b429-e090dd49df1d" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%2898%29_0.jpg" /> 
[&nbsp;Pete Buttigieg, Democratic presidential candidate and former South Bend, Indiana mayor (Courtesy: Reuters) ]

He told Biden his achievements “were phenomenally important because they met the moment. But now we have to meet at this moment, and this moment is different.” He also continued his outreach to independents and even Republicans, who could be critical in New Hampshire, which allows non-Democrats to vote.

AMY KLOBUCHAR 
If this is the end of the line for the senator from Minnesota, she will go out turning in probably her best debate performance to date. She showed quick thinking on stage. She was the first candidate to raise her hand when they were asked if they were concerned about having a democratic socialist like Sanders at the top of the ticket.&nbsp;

Not long after, she was the first candidate to bring up Trump’s impeachment and his acquittal by the Senate, a trenchant reminder of the stakes of the election.

It was clear from the outset that Klobuchar looked to dent Buttigieg’s momentum, challenging him and even mocking him while framing herself as a better “unity” candidate. Referring to Trump, she said, “We have a newcomer in the White House, and look what that got us.”

<img alt="Klobuchar" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="b57fa770-ed76-4a86-9943-68061bf949ff" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20-%202020-02-08T131153.994.jpg" /> 
[&nbsp;Democratic US Presidential Candidate Amy Klobuchar (Courtesy: Reuters) ]

After a disappointing finish in Iowa - she came in fifth - Klobuchar heads into the New Hampshire primary a distinct underdog. One good debate is not likely to change that.

BERNIE SANDERS 
Coming off a strong performance in Iowa that put him almost in a dead heat with Buttigieg, Sanders was on the defensive early, as rivals like Biden questioned whether a democratic socialist could marshal broad enough support in November to defeat Trump.

As usual, Sanders showed little interest in moderating his message. His remarkable consistency – most of his quotes on Friday could have come from any of the other seven debates of this campaign, or his first presidential run in 2016 – is part of what endears him to his supporters.

It also brings questions about whether he can broaden his appeal to win a majority of American voters. Sanders’ answer on Friday was that his agenda of Medicare for All and higher taxes on the wealthy would inspire more voters to participate in the election. “I believe the way we beat Trump is by having the largest voter turnout in the history of this country,” he said.

<img alt="Sanders" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="789faacc-f28e-4c7b-a456-c1dd6cd0129e" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%2899%29_1.jpg" /> 
[&nbsp;Democratic US&nbsp;Presidential Candidate and US Senator Bernie Sanders (Courtesy: Reuters) ]

TOM STEYER 
The California billionaire was probably the most pugnacious candidate on stage, fashioning himself as a truth-teller trying to elevate the discussion beyond squabbles over healthcare plans and abortion rights toward something more basic: How to beat Trump.

Steyer argued Democrats must find some way to challenge Trump on the economy or risk failure. “We have to go win a huge victory this year, and we're in trouble,” he said. He also seemed to suggest that his rivals had very little idea how to bring the party together and ensure that African Americans and other voters of colour go to the polls in November.&nbsp;

With polls showing Steyer rising as a challenger to Biden in South Carolina, the outsider candidate is likely to keep spending freely, act like he has nothing to lose and perhaps stay on the debate stage.

ELIZABETH WARREN 
Warren continued pressing the closing argument she made in Iowa, arguing that she is uniquely positioned to unify the various factions within the Democratic Party. As a result, she appeared somewhat unwilling to engage in attacks on her rivals.

But as the debate proceeded, Warren fired a few shots at the other candidates. After moderators pressed Buttigieg on his mayoral record on race and policing, Warren was asked whether his answer had been satisfactory.

“No,” she said bluntly, before ticking off several areas – housing, education, employment – in which she has released plans that specifically target racial gaps.

<img alt="Warren" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="b97a700e-ca37-4b1c-a3b8-cfe14d84b149" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%28100%29_1.jpg" /> 
[&nbsp;Democratic 2020 US&nbsp;Presidential Candidate and US&nbsp;Senator Elizabeth Warren (Courtesy: Reuters) ]

Later, she jumped at the chance to criticize billionaire Michael Bloomberg, who is skipping the early voting states and blanketing later states with a barrage of advertising, for trying to “buy” the nomination. She followed that with a thinly veiled shot at Sanders for getting help from an outside political group even though he has sworn off super PACs.

With less speaking time than Buttigieg, Biden, Sanders and Klobuchar, it was not clear whether she made enough of an impact after a week in which she was mostly an afterthought following a third-place finish in Iowa.

ANDREW YANG 
For months, Andrew Yang has pointed to New Hampshire as the early state where he expected to have the most appeal, thanks to the independent voters who make up a large portion of the electorate and might be drawn to his esoteric campaign platform.

But after a poor showing in Iowa, where he finished far behind the top candidates, Yang needed a breakout performance to have any hope of outperforming on Tuesday.

He didn’t get many opportunities. The moderators directed only a handful of questions at him, leaving him with by far the least amount of speaking time. As he has throughout the campaign, he declined to engage in any back-and-forth attacks with other candidates, which meant he spent long stretches in silence as rivals took turns swinging at one another.

<img alt="Yang" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="3388b91a-447e-451c-8cde-d3e3aaf03944" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20-%202020-02-08T131645.502.jpg" /> 
[ Businessman and 2020 US Presidential Candidate Andrew Yang (Courtesy: Twitter Handle @AndrewYang) ]

Yang's campaign, which has far outstripped any reasonable expectations, may be drawing to a close.

With Democratic presidential candidates fighting for their political lives ahead of New Hampshire's primary to choose who will face Republican Donald Trump in November, rivals debating on Friday took shots at one another and tried to separate themselves from the pack.

With Democratic presidential candidates fighting for their political lives ahead of New Hampshire's primary to choose who will face Republican Donald Trump in November, rivals debating on Friday took shots at one another and tried to separate themselves from the pack. Here’s how each of the seven contenders on stage fared: JOE BIDEN The former vice president, looking to rebound from a faceplant in Iowa's caucuses this week, obviously wanted to come out on the offensive. Unfortunately, he started the night telling the nation that he probably was going to lose New Hampshire as well. But Biden grew more assured, tearing into US Senator Bernie Sanders over the cost of his Medicare for All plan and his record on guns while questioning Pete Buttigieg’s lack of experience. Biden seemed to relish in his long record of public service, repeatedly listing his accomplishments as a senator and vice president for Barack Obama. “The politics of the past, I think, were not all that bad,” Biden said. The risk for Biden is such talk only reinforces the view of some Democrats that his moment has passed and why they’re looking to fresh faces such as Buttigieg. But Biden has little choice but lean even harder into his argument that he is best prepared to take over for President Donald Trump. [ Democratic Presidential Candidate and former Vice President Joe Biden (Courtesy: Reuters) ] PETE BUTTIGIEG As expected, everyone came gunning for the 38-year-old boyish former mayor of South Bend, Indiana. Biden and US Senator Amy Klobuchar questioned his thin track record. Klobuchar also suggested Buttigieg had flipped positions on Medicare for All. Sanders took a shot at his fundraising. And US Senator Elizabeth Warren delivered a brutal critique of Buttigieg’s defence of his record as mayor concerning African Americans and criminal justice. All of it was designed to make Buttigieg appear unready for the job – and at times he wobbled. At other points, he turned aggressive, labelling Sanders as an extreme candidate who would drive away moderates. Buttigieg did not back down from making his generational argument that it was time to pass the torch. [ Pete Buttigieg, Democratic presidential candidate and former South Bend, Indiana mayor (Courtesy: Reuters) ] He told Biden his achievements “were phenomenally important because they met the moment. But now we have to meet at this moment, and this moment is different.” He also continued his outreach to independents and even Republicans, who could be critical in New Hampshire, which allows non-Democrats to vote. AMY KLOBUCHAR If this is the end of the line for the senator from Minnesota, she will go out turning in probably her best debate performance to date. She showed quick thinking on stage. She was the first candidate to raise her hand when they were asked if they were concerned about having a democratic socialist like Sanders at the top of the ticket. Not long after, she was the first candidate to bring up Trump’s impeachment and his acquittal by the Senate, a trenchant reminder of the stakes of the election. It was clear from the outset that Klobuchar looked to dent Buttigieg’s momentum, challenging him and even mocking him while framing herself as a better “unity” candidate. Referring to Trump, she said, “We have a newcomer in the White House, and look what that got us.” [ Democratic US Presidential Candidate Amy Klobuchar (Courtesy: Reuters) ] After a disappointing finish in Iowa - she came in fifth - Klobuchar heads into the New Hampshire primary a distinct underdog. One good debate is not likely to change that. BERNIE SANDERS Coming off a strong performance in Iowa that put him almost in a dead heat with Buttigieg, Sanders was on the defensive early, as rivals like Biden questioned whether a democratic socialist could marshal broad enough support in November to defeat Trump. As usual, Sanders showed little interest in moderating his message. His remarkable consistency – most of his quotes on Friday could have come from any of the other seven debates of this campaign, or his first presidential run in 2016 – is part of what endears him to his supporters. It also brings questions about whether he can broaden his appeal to win a majority of American voters. Sanders’ answer on Friday was that his agenda of Medicare for All and higher taxes on the wealthy would inspire more voters to participate in the election. “I believe the way we beat Trump is by having the largest voter turnout in the history of this country,” he said. [ Democratic US Presidential Candidate and US Senator Bernie Sanders (Courtesy: Reuters) ] TOM STEYER The California billionaire was probably the most pugnacious candidate on stage, fashioning himself as a truth-teller trying to elevate the discussion beyond squabbles over healthcare plans and abortion rights toward something more basic: How to beat Trump. Steyer argued Democrats must find some way to challenge Trump on the economy or risk failure. “We have to go win a huge victory this year, and we're in trouble,” he said. He also seemed to suggest that his rivals had very little idea how to bring the party together and ensure that African Americans and other voters of colour go to the polls in November. With polls showing Steyer rising as a challenger to Biden in South Carolina, the outsider candidate is likely to keep spending freely, act like he has nothing to lose and perhaps stay on the debate stage. ELIZABETH WARREN Warren continued pressing the closing argument she made in Iowa, arguing that she is uniquely positioned to unify the various factions within the Democratic Party. As a result, she appeared somewhat unwilling to engage in attacks on her rivals. But as the debate proceeded, Warren fired a few shots at the other candidates. After moderators pressed Buttigieg on his mayoral record on race and policing, Warren was asked whether his answer had been satisfactory. “No,” she said bluntly, before ticking off several areas – housing, education, employment – in which she has released plans that specifically target racial gaps. [ Democratic 2020 US Presidential Candidate and US Senator Elizabeth Warren (Courtesy: Reuters) ] Later, she jumped at the chance to criticize billionaire Michael Bloomberg, who is skipping the early voting states and blanketing later states with a barrage of advertising, for trying to “buy” the nomination. She followed that with a thinly veiled shot at Sanders for getting help from an outside political group even though he has sworn off super PACs. With less speaking time than Buttigieg, Biden, Sanders and Klobuchar, it was not clear whether she made enough of an impact after a week in which she was mostly an afterthought following a third-place finish in Iowa. ANDREW YANG For months, Andrew Yang has pointed to New Hampshire as the early state where he expected to have the most appeal, thanks to the independent voters who make up a large portion of the electorate and might be drawn to his esoteric campaign platform. But after a poor showing in Iowa, where he finished far behind the top candidates, Yang needed a breakout performance to have any hope of outperforming on Tuesday. He didn’t get many opportunities. The moderators directed only a handful of questions at him, leaving him with by far the least amount of speaking time. As he has throughout the campaign, he declined to engage in any back-and-forth attacks with other candidates, which meant he spent long stretches in silence as rivals took turns swinging at one another. [ Businessman and 2020 US Presidential Candidate Andrew Yang (Courtesy: Twitter Handle @AndrewYang) ] Yang's campaign, which has far outstripped any reasonable expectations, may be drawing to a close.

Presidential Candidates fight for survival in New Hampshire debate

The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world-latest-breaking-news-Iowa-caucus-kicks-off-as-Democrats-seek-Trump%27s-2020-election-challenger">Iowa </a>Democratic Party declared the final results after a long delay due to technical glitches.

It was a neck-and-neck between Buttigieg and sanders, in the first contest to pick a Democratic nominee to challenge Republican President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world-latest-breaking-news-Iowa-caucus-kicks-off-as-Democrats-seek-Trump%27s-2020-election-challenger">Donald Trump</a> in the November polls.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/latest-breaking-news-update-meet-Pete-Buttigieg-the-man-who-shocked-Sanders-Biden-in-Iowa-caucus">Also read:&nbsp;Meet Pete Buttigieg, the man who shocked Sanders, Biden in Iowa caucus</a>

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world-latest-breaking-news-Iowa-caucus-kicks-off-as-Democrats-seek-Trump%27s-2020-election-challenger">Buttigieg</a> edged out <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world-latest-breaking-news-Iowa-caucus-kicks-off-as-Democrats-seek-Trump%27s-2020-election-challenger">Sanders </a>with 26.2 per cent of state-delegate equivalents.

Sanders who was among the leading democratic candidates in 2016 finish an at narrow second with 26-point-1 per cent equivalents.

The third spot was clinched by Sanders' fellow progressive <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world-latest-breaking-news-Iowa-caucus-kicks-off-as-Democrats-seek-Trump%27s-2020-election-challenger">Elizabeth Warren</a>, with <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world-latest-breaking-news-Iowa-caucus-kicks-off-as-Democrats-seek-Trump%27s-2020-election-challenger">Joe Biden</a> and <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world-latest-breaking-news-Iowa-caucus-kicks-off-as-Democrats-seek-Trump%27s-2020-election-challenger">Amy Klobuchar</a> being relegated to fourth and fifth spots, respectively.

Former US Vice President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world-latest-breaking-news-Iowa-caucus-kicks-off-as-Democrats-seek-Trump%27s-2020-election-challenger">Joe Biden</a>'s disappointing performance was as surprising as the 38-year old Buttigieg's victory.

Biden has been relegated to the 4th place which is 15.9 state delegates equivalents.

In many counties, he has failed to attain the 15 per cent votes needed to be considered a viable candidate.

Biden who served as the Vice President under <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world-latest-breaking-news-Iowa-caucus-kicks-off-as-Democrats-seek-Trump%27s-2020-election-challenger">Obama</a> was once considered the democratic front-runner.

The results of the Iowa caucus are as follows:

Pete Buttigieg: 26.2 per cent 
Bernie Sanders: 26.1 per cent 
Elizabeth Warren: 18&nbsp;per cent 
Joe Biden: 15.8&nbsp;per cent 
Amy Klobuchar: 12.3 per cent

The Iowa Democratic Party declared the final results after a long delay due to technical glitches. It was a neck-and-neck between Buttigieg and sanders, in the first contest to pick a Democratic nominee to challenge Republican President Donald Trump in the November polls.

The Iowa Democratic Party declared the final results after a long delay due to technical glitches. It was a neck-and-neck between Buttigieg and sanders, in the first contest to pick a Democratic nominee to challenge Republican President Donald Trump in the November polls. Also read: Meet Pete Buttigieg, the man who shocked Sanders, Biden in Iowa caucus Buttigieg edged out Sanders with 26.2 per cent of state-delegate equivalents. Sanders who was among the leading democratic candidates in 2016 finish an at narrow second with 26-point-1 per cent equivalents. The third spot was clinched by Sanders' fellow progressive Elizabeth Warren, with Joe Biden and Amy Klobuchar being relegated to fourth and fifth spots, respectively. Former US Vice President Joe Biden's disappointing performance was as surprising as the 38-year old Buttigieg's victory. Biden has been relegated to the 4th place which is 15.9 state delegates equivalents. In many counties, he has failed to attain the 15 per cent votes needed to be considered a viable candidate. Biden who served as the Vice President under Obama was once considered the democratic front-runner. The results of the Iowa caucus are as follows: Pete Buttigieg: 26.2 per cent Bernie Sanders: 26.1 per cent Elizabeth Warren: 18 per cent Joe Biden: 15.8 per cent Amy Klobuchar: 12.3 per cent

Pete Buttigieg defeats Bernie Sanders in Iowa caucus

In a surprise turn of events, Democratic candidate Pete Buttigieg,38, took the lead in the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world-latest-breaking-news-Iowa-caucus-kicks-off-as-Democrats-seek-Trump%27s-2020-election-challenger">Iowa caucus</a> after results were delayed on Tuesday due to "inconsistencies".

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/latest-donald-trump-us-elections-democrats-turn-focus-on-new-hampshire-after-iowa-fiasco-278593">Also Read: Democrats turn attention to New Hampshire after Iowa fiasco</a>

Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders, 78, was closely following Buttigieg with Elizabeth Warren in third place and Joe Biden at fourth place.

"I have never been more confident in our campaign, in our team, and in the vision that brought to us this point," Buttigieg told supporters as he took the lead.

According to the polls, Buttigieg took the lead with 26.8 per cent followed by&nbsp;Sander&nbsp;at 25.2 per cent, Elizabeth Warren had bagged 18.4 per cent and Biden, touted as a Democratic frontrunner to take on Trump in the US election, trailing in fourth position with 15.4 per cent votes.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/donald-trump-calls-unmitigated-disaster-as-sanders-buttigieg-claim-victory-278558">Also read: Donald Trump calls Democrats Iowa 'unmitigated disaster' as Sanders, Buttigieg claim victory</a>

Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar was in fifth place with 12.6 per cent votes.

On Tuesday as the results were delayed, US President Donald Trump took a dig at the Democrats saying that the Democratic Party in Iowa was "really messed up".

"It is not the fault of Iowa, it is the do nothing with Democrats fault. As long as I am President, Iowa will stay where it is. Important tradition!" he added.

On Tueday, the organizers said there were "inconsistencies" in three sets of results.

Mandy McClure, communications director at the Iowa<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/democratic-debate-six-candidates-face-off-in-iowas-capital-city-des-moines-274306"> Democratic Party</a>, said that in addition to using the tech systems, photos of results and a paper trail were being used to validate the results.

Democarts are seeking a challenger to take on Trump in the November 3 elections with several Key caucus coming up in New Hamshire.

In a surprise turn of events, Democratic candidate Pete Buttigieg,38, took the lead in the Iowa caucus after results were delayed on Tuesday due to "inconsistencies".

In a surprise turn of events, Democratic candidate Pete Buttigieg,38, took the lead in the Iowa caucus after results were delayed on Tuesday due to "inconsistencies". Also Read: Democrats turn attention to New Hampshire after Iowa fiasco Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders, 78, was closely following Buttigieg with Elizabeth Warren in third place and Joe Biden at fourth place. "I have never been more confident in our campaign, in our team, and in the vision that brought to us this point," Buttigieg told supporters as he took the lead. According to the polls, Buttigieg took the lead with 26.8 per cent followed by Sander at 25.2 per cent, Elizabeth Warren had bagged 18.4 per cent and Biden, touted as a Democratic frontrunner to take on Trump in the US election, trailing in fourth position with 15.4 per cent votes. Also read: Donald Trump calls Democrats Iowa 'unmitigated disaster' as Sanders, Buttigieg claim victory Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar was in fifth place with 12.6 per cent votes. On Tuesday as the results were delayed, US President Donald Trump took a dig at the Democrats saying that the Democratic Party in Iowa was "really messed up". "It is not the fault of Iowa, it is the do nothing with Democrats fault. As long as I am President, Iowa will stay where it is. Important tradition!" he added. On Tueday, the organizers said there were "inconsistencies" in three sets of results. Mandy McClure, communications director at the Iowa Democratic Party, said that in addition to using the tech systems, photos of results and a paper trail were being used to validate the results. Democarts are seeking a challenger to take on Trump in the November 3 elections with several Key caucus coming up in New Hamshire.

Iowa caucus: Pete Buttigieg takes surprise lead in Democratic race

Pete Buttigieg an Afghanistan war veteran has become the surprise frontrunner in the Iowa caucus which is the first step towards Democratic race to challenge President Donald Trump for the November 3 elections.

Pete Buttigieg an Afghanistan war veteran has become the surprise frontrunner in the Iowa caucus which is the first step towards Democratic race to challenge President Donald Trump for the November 3 elections. Also Read: Iowa caucus: Pete Buttigieg takes surprise lead in Democratic race Buttigieg, 38, called the Iowa results "astonishing victory for our movement" which had shades of Obama in 2008 when the former US president burst into the scene almost out of nowhere to challenge Hillary Clinton in his own party and later John McCain of the Republican Party to win the presidency. The fact that he was pitted against Democratic big guns in a crowded field and came out on top has set tongues wagging nationwide. Tonight’s results not only represent an astonishing victory for our movement, they validate the message of belonging that brought us here. If you believe that a new and better vision can bring about a better day, join us: https://t.co/LWHhgdDDU4 pic.twitter.com/XHrhNQvrZL — Pete Buttigieg (@PeteButtigieg) February 5, 2020 × Buttigieg who was deployed in Afghanistan in 2014 is a Harvard and Oxford graduate and a Rhodes scholar. His surprise turnaround at Iowa has largely been attributed to his "people connect" after he led a mass campaign to seek votes from the residents in town hall meetings and other public forums. He was not even performing well in fundraising nationally but was still able to silence his critics in style. View this post on Instagram You’re not just supporting a movement. You’re supporting a future worth leaving to the next generation. Link in bio. A post shared by Pete Buttigieg (@pete.buttigieg) on Jan 25, 2020 at 7:45pm PST × Pete was born in South Bend, Indiana where he was also elected the Mayor in 2011. He became the second-youngest mayor in South Bend's history aged just 29. View this post on Instagram Thank you to everyone who joined me for town halls yesterday in Boone, Iowa Falls, Vinton, and North Liberty. The energy and enthusiasm on the ground in Iowa is electric—let’s keep the momentum going. If you’re with me, please chip in. Link in bio. A post shared by Pete Buttigieg (@pete.buttigieg) on Jan 28, 2020 at 9:30am PST × Buttigieg, like Obama, has also written a book "Shortest Way Home" on his mayoral challenge and his dreams for America, a bit like The Audacity of Hope when Obama was just an unheralded Illinois Senator. View this post on Instagram Iowans, tomorrow you get to decide. If you’re ready for something different, something better, join me, caucus for me, and chip in to help us win in November. Link in bio. A post shared by Pete Buttigieg (@pete.buttigieg) on Feb 2, 2020 at 1:30pm PST × Buttigieg is also the first openly gay candidate to run for president. Two years ago his same-sex marriage to Chasten Glezman, a teacher, was widely covered in the US media. In his poll pitch before Iowa, Buttigieg famously said the party needs to make sure that 2020 looks nothing like 2016, taking a dig at Trump while emphasizing that the country "must move forward". "We have got to energize and galvanize, not polarize that American majority," he said referring to Trump who is accused by his critics for leading a divisive campaign. As the results poured in, the former South Bend mayor triumphantly told Iowa residents “Iowa, you have shocked the nation." The person who was a virtual nobody and had no claim for the Democratic top slot came from virtual oblivion to grab centrestage in US national politics.

Meet Pete Buttigieg, the man who shocked Sanders, Biden in Iowa caucus

Iowa <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-presidential-elections-2020-hillary-clinton-slams-bernie-sanders-tulsi-gabbard-claps-back-on-twitter-275871">caucus</a>&nbsp;results have been delayed due to "inconsistencies" as the US Democratic party began its hunt to find a candidate to take on President Trump in the 2020 elections to be held on November 3.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world-latest-breaking-news-Iowa-caucus-kicks-off-as-Democrats-seek-Trump%27s-2020-election-challenger">Also Read: Iowa caucus kicks off as Democrats seek Trump's 2020 election challenger</a>

There was confusion on the ground with organizers not publishing the initial results after several hours of voting.

Mandy McClure, communications director at the Iowa <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ahead-of-2020-us-presidential-election-trump-accused-google-of-very-illegal-acts-241344">Democratic Party</a> said that further checks were ordered after "inconsistencies" were found in the reporting of three sets of results.

Watch Video:

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/iowa-first-cadidate-to-choose-candidate-278433/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

This is simply a reporting issue," she added even as President Trump's son <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-mocks-communist-bernie-and-sleepy-joe-before-iowa-278225">Donald Trump Jr</a> slammed the reported delay.

"If the Democrats can’t run a caucus that they had four years to prepare for, how the hell can anyone think they could actually run the country?" Donald Trump junior said in a tweet.

Mandy McClure said that in addition to using the tech systems, photos of results and a paper trail were being used to validate the results.

"The app did not go down and this is not a hack or an intrusion," she added.

There are 11 Democratic candidates in the fray with Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders the front-runner followed by former vice-president Joe Biden.

Elections are taking place at least 1,700 sites around Iowa in schools and community centres.

With the results being delayed, Sanders said he had "good feeling" that he was doing "very, very well here in Iowa".

"Tonight in this enormously consequential 2020 election, the first state in the country has voted, and today marks the beginning of the end for Donald Trump," Sanders told his supporters ahead of the results.

Iowa caucus results have been delayed due to "inconsistencies" as the US Democratic party began its hunt to find a candidate to take on President Trump in the 2020 elections to be held on November 3.

Iowa caucus results have been delayed due to "inconsistencies" as the US Democratic party began its hunt to find a candidate to take on President Trump in the 2020 elections to be held on November 3. Also Read: Iowa caucus kicks off as Democrats seek Trump's 2020 election challenger There was confusion on the ground with organizers not publishing the initial results after several hours of voting. Mandy McClure, communications director at the Iowa Democratic Party said that further checks were ordered after "inconsistencies" were found in the reporting of three sets of results. Watch Video: This is simply a reporting issue," she added even as President Trump's son Donald Trump Jr slammed the reported delay. "If the Democrats can’t run a caucus that they had four years to prepare for, how the hell can anyone think they could actually run the country?" Donald Trump junior said in a tweet. Mandy McClure said that in addition to using the tech systems, photos of results and a paper trail were being used to validate the results. "The app did not go down and this is not a hack or an intrusion," she added. There are 11 Democratic candidates in the fray with Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders the front-runner followed by former vice-president Joe Biden. Elections are taking place at least 1,700 sites around Iowa in schools and community centres. With the results being delayed, Sanders said he had "good feeling" that he was doing "very, very well here in Iowa". "Tonight in this enormously consequential 2020 election, the first state in the country has voted, and today marks the beginning of the end for Donald Trump," Sanders told his supporters ahead of the results.

Iowa caucus results delayed due to 'inconsistencies'

Americans kicked off the 2020 <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-presidential-elections-2020-hillary-clinton-slams-bernie-sanders-tulsi-gabbard-claps-back-on-twitter-275871">presidential elections</a> race on Monday as the state of Iowa opened its caucuses with 41 delegates up for grabs.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/latest-world-news-trump-revives-border-wall-promise-in-iowa-campaign-speech-and-mocks-his-democrat-coworkers-277639">Also Read:&nbsp;Donald Trump revives border wall promise in Iowa campaign speech, mocks Democrats</a>

Voters began the process of picking candidates from 11 Democratic contenders with long lines seen outside schools and community centres.

The caucuses and primaries start months and sometimes years before the main elections, the candidates start their campaign trails with speeches, promises, fund raising and debates.

Watch Video:

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/wion-fineprint-all-eye-on-iowa-caucuses-2020-278397/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Above all the goal for the candidates is to convince voters that they are the right candidate in their whole party to defeat Donald Trump. It's all about winning delegates and that is done by competing in states across the country. A few states matter more than other states.

According to tradition, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-mocks-communist-bernie-and-sleepy-joe-before-iowa-278225">Iowa </a>goes first and so it becomes the most important one. After Iowa, the race moves to the next three big states - &nbsp;New Hampshire, Nevada and South Carolina, these four states are the key to winning nominations which narrows the competition and gives the momentum to the key nominees.

So the first caucus is a big opportunity for a candidate to pull away from the rest of the pack. The key to the game is to score delegates in state after state.

There are nearly 4,000 delegates (3,979) whichever candidate wins the most of the available delegates, wins the nominations but the primary contest is not likely to end with most delegates if a rival has the campaigns, resources and the money, they can stand in the radius and fight until the end.

Vermont Senator <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/simply-a-lie-biden-accuses-sanders-campaign-of-releasing-doctored-video-275236">Bernie Sanders</a> is in a tight race with former vice president Joe Biden, Elizabeth Warren and Pete Buttigieg are trailing behind with a close margin.

Interestingly, Sanders has never really stopped running for president since he lost the nomination to Hillary Clinton in 2016, he is popular with the working class voters and calls himself a democratic socialist.

Americans kicked off the 2020 presidential elections race on Monday as the state of Iowa opened its caucuses with 41 delegates up for grabs. Also Read: Donald Trump revives border wall promise in Iowa campaign speech, mocks Democrats Voters began the process of picking candidates from 11 Democratic contenders with long lines seen outside schools and community centres.

Americans kicked off the 2020 presidential elections race on Monday as the state of Iowa opened its caucuses with 41 delegates up for grabs. Also Read: Donald Trump revives border wall promise in Iowa campaign speech, mocks Democrats Voters began the process of picking candidates from 11 Democratic contenders with long lines seen outside schools and community centres. The caucuses and primaries start months and sometimes years before the main elections, the candidates start their campaign trails with speeches, promises, fund raising and debates. Watch Video: Above all the goal for the candidates is to convince voters that they are the right candidate in their whole party to defeat Donald Trump. It's all about winning delegates and that is done by competing in states across the country. A few states matter more than other states. According to tradition, Iowa goes first and so it becomes the most important one. After Iowa, the race moves to the next three big states - New Hampshire, Nevada and South Carolina, these four states are the key to winning nominations which narrows the competition and gives the momentum to the key nominees. So the first caucus is a big opportunity for a candidate to pull away from the rest of the pack. The key to the game is to score delegates in state after state. There are nearly 4,000 delegates (3,979) whichever candidate wins the most of the available delegates, wins the nominations but the primary contest is not likely to end with most delegates if a rival has the campaigns, resources and the money, they can stand in the radius and fight until the end. Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders is in a tight race with former vice president Joe Biden, Elizabeth Warren and Pete Buttigieg are trailing behind with a close margin. Interestingly, Sanders has never really stopped running for president since he lost the nomination to Hillary Clinton in 2016, he is popular with the working class voters and calls himself a democratic socialist.

Iowa caucus kicks off as Democrats seek Trump's 2020 election challenger

Democratic candidates were anxiously awaiting results from the Iowa caucuses on Tuesday after technical glitches plunged the kickoff vote of the US presidential nominating contest into chaos, drawing the mockery of President Donald Trump.

Pete Buttigieg, the 38-year-old former mayor of South Bend, Indiana, claimed victory although the Iowa Democratic Party had not yet released any official results, and Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders also declared that he had done "very, very well."

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/donald-trump-calls-unmitigated-disaster-as-sanders-buttigieg-claim-victory-278558">Donald Trump calls Democrats Iowa 'unmitigated disaster' as Sanders, Buttigieg claim victory</a>

Former vice president Joe Biden's campaign for its part said that although it had "zero official data" so far it believed it had won its "fair share" of the vote and it was a "tight race with bunched up candidates."

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-election-news-iowa-caucus-results-delayed-due-to-inconsistencies-278461">Iowa caucus results delayed due to 'inconsistencies'</a>

But Joe Rospars, chief strategist for Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren, chided the other candidates, tweeting that "any campaign saying they won or putting out incomplete numbers is contributing to the chaos and misinformation."

<img alt="Iowa" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="f9c5b1b8-542c-457b-ba0e-be3edcf448a8" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/ohdSMXgN_0.jpg" />

(A supporter of Democratic 2020 US presidential candidate Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) listens as she speaks at her Iowa Caucus rally in Des Moines, Iowa, US, Feb 3, 2020)

The Iowa Democratic Party said precinct results were still coming in and blamed the delay on an app that was reporting only partial data.

"While our plan is to release results as soon as possible today, our ultimate goal is to ensure that the integrity and accuracy of the process continues to be upheld," it said in a statement.

"We have every indication that our systems were secure and there was not a cybersecurity intrusion," it added.

'Winning organization'&nbsp;

Buttigieg, who is battling Biden for the moderate wing of the party, said that based on an internal tally it was a "clear victory for this campaign."

"We were able to demonstrate both the winning message and the winning organization," Buttigieg said in an interview with MSNBC.

"This is really the first proof point for how we're building the campaign that is ultimately going to go on to defeat Trump" in November's presidential election, he added.

Sanders, 78, said he had "a good feeling we're going to be doing very, very well here in Iowa."

"Tonight in this enormously consequential 2020 election, the first state in the country has voted, and today marks the beginning of the end for Donald Trump," said the self-described democratic socialist.

Another Democratic candidate, Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar, called for patience.

"I think they'll be able to count them by hand, just like they used to," Klobuchar told CNN. "I'm sure they're working hard."

'Unmitigated disaster'&nbsp;

With Iowa still mired in confusion, Democratic candidates were already turning their sights on the next nominating contest, which takes place in New Hampshire on February 11.

According to a Boston Globe/WBZ-TV/Suffolk University poll released Monday, Sanders is leading in New Hampshire with 24 per cent support followed by Biden with 18 per cent, Warren with 13 per cent and Buttigieg with 11 per cent.&nbsp;

Republicans led by Trump gloated over the Democratic setback, a closely-watched test in the months-long process to determine who will be the party nominee in November.

"The Democrat caucus is an unmitigated disaster," Trump tweeted. "Nothing works, just like they ran the country."

Alluding to his own victory in Republican caucuses in Iowa, Trump said "the only person that can claim a very big victory in Iowa last night is 'Trump.'"

"When will the Democrats start blaming RUSSIA, RUSSIA, RUSSIA, instead of their own incompetence for the voting disaster that just happened in the Great State of Iowa?" Trump said.

Trump is to deliver his nationally televised "State of the Union" address later Tuesday to a joint session of Congress under the cloud of impeachment but all but certain acquittal in the Senate on Wednesday.

According to Buttigieg's website, citing results from 1,200 of the 1,700 precincts in Iowa, he earned the support of 24.7 per cent of the 152,000 voters who took part in Monday's caucuses.

Results released by the Sanders campaign from nearly 40 per cent of the Iowa precincts showed him with 28.62 per cent of the state delegate equivalent, the figure used to determine who wins the Iowa caucuses.

Buttigieg was credited with 25.71 per cent, followed by Warren with 18.42 per cent and Biden with 15.08 per cent which, if confirmed, would be a disappointing showing for the candidate who has consistently claimed he is the person best positioned to take on and defeat Trump. 
&nbsp;

Democratic candidates were anxiously awaiting results from the Iowa caucuses on Tuesday after technical glitches plunged the kickoff vote of the US presidential nominating contest into chaos, drawing the mockery of President Donald Trump.

Democratic candidates were anxiously awaiting results from the Iowa caucuses on Tuesday after technical glitches plunged the kickoff vote of the US presidential nominating contest into chaos, drawing the mockery of President Donald Trump. Pete Buttigieg, the 38-year-old former mayor of South Bend, Indiana, claimed victory although the Iowa Democratic Party had not yet released any official results, and Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders also declared that he had done "very, very well." Also read: Donald Trump calls Democrats Iowa 'unmitigated disaster' as Sanders, Buttigieg claim victory Former vice president Joe Biden's campaign for its part said that although it had "zero official data" so far it believed it had won its "fair share" of the vote and it was a "tight race with bunched up candidates." Also read: Iowa caucus results delayed due to 'inconsistencies' But Joe Rospars, chief strategist for Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren, chided the other candidates, tweeting that "any campaign saying they won or putting out incomplete numbers is contributing to the chaos and misinformation." (A supporter of Democratic 2020 US presidential candidate Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) listens as she speaks at her Iowa Caucus rally in Des Moines, Iowa, US, Feb 3, 2020) The Iowa Democratic Party said precinct results were still coming in and blamed the delay on an app that was reporting only partial data. "While our plan is to release results as soon as possible today, our ultimate goal is to ensure that the integrity and accuracy of the process continues to be upheld," it said in a statement. "We have every indication that our systems were secure and there was not a cybersecurity intrusion," it added. 'Winning organization' Buttigieg, who is battling Biden for the moderate wing of the party, said that based on an internal tally it was a "clear victory for this campaign." "We were able to demonstrate both the winning message and the winning organization," Buttigieg said in an interview with MSNBC. "This is really the first proof point for how we're building the campaign that is ultimately going to go on to defeat Trump" in November's presidential election, he added. Sanders, 78, said he had "a good feeling we're going to be doing very, very well here in Iowa." "Tonight in this enormously consequential 2020 election, the first state in the country has voted, and today marks the beginning of the end for Donald Trump," said the self-described democratic socialist. Another Democratic candidate, Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar, called for patience. "I think they'll be able to count them by hand, just like they used to," Klobuchar told CNN. "I'm sure they're working hard." 'Unmitigated disaster' With Iowa still mired in confusion, Democratic candidates were already turning their sights on the next nominating contest, which takes place in New Hampshire on February 11. According to a Boston Globe/WBZ-TV/Suffolk University poll released Monday, Sanders is leading in New Hampshire with 24 per cent support followed by Biden with 18 per cent, Warren with 13 per cent and Buttigieg with 11 per cent. Republicans led by Trump gloated over the Democratic setback, a closely-watched test in the months-long process to determine who will be the party nominee in November. "The Democrat caucus is an unmitigated disaster," Trump tweeted. "Nothing works, just like they ran the country." Alluding to his own victory in Republican caucuses in Iowa, Trump said "the only person that can claim a very big victory in Iowa last night is 'Trump.'" "When will the Democrats start blaming RUSSIA, RUSSIA, RUSSIA, instead of their own incompetence for the voting disaster that just happened in the Great State of Iowa?" Trump said. Trump is to deliver his nationally televised "State of the Union" address later Tuesday to a joint session of Congress under the cloud of impeachment but all but certain acquittal in the Senate on Wednesday. According to Buttigieg's website, citing results from 1,200 of the 1,700 precincts in Iowa, he earned the support of 24.7 per cent of the 152,000 voters who took part in Monday's caucuses. Results released by the Sanders campaign from nearly 40 per cent of the Iowa precincts showed him with 28.62 per cent of the state delegate equivalent, the figure used to determine who wins the Iowa caucuses. Buttigieg was credited with 25.71 per cent, followed by Warren with 18.42 per cent and Biden with 15.08 per cent which, if confirmed, would be a disappointing showing for the candidate who has consistently claimed he is the person best positioned to take on and defeat Trump.

Democrats turn attention to New Hampshire after Iowa fiasco

The first event that will help decide the candidates for US president is to take place with Monday's Iowa caucuses.

Iowa: First State to choose candidate

President Donald Trump branded the Democratic Party's chaotic effort in Iowa to begin choosing an election challenger as an "unmitigated disaster" on Tuesday after results in the state caucus were delayed indefinitely.

Hours after voters made their choices at 1,600 schools and other public locations, Iowa Democratic Party Chairman Troy Price told reporters to expect results sometime on Tuesday in the state, the first to hold a nominating contest.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-election-news-iowa-caucus-results-delayed-due-to-inconsistencies-278461">Iowa caucus results delayed due to 'inconsistencies'</a>

The party said it had to make "quality checks" after finding "inconsistencies" in the reporting of the data from caucus sites, sparking frustration among Democrats and criticism from Republicans.

<img alt="Iowa" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="f64a6563-8bb2-491e-b7f0-eacf978b1759" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/MdIo1ZN5.jpg" />

(Chasten and Pete Buttigieg pose for a selfie with supporters at an election night rally in Des Moines, Iowa, US, February 3 | Photo Credit: Reuters)

It was unclear when any results would be released.

<img alt="Iowa" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="10757c8f-edfc-496a-bc24-ad5a016b0294" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/ohdSMXgN.jpg" />

(A supporter of Democratic 2020 US&nbsp;presidential candidate Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) listens as she speaks at her Iowa Caucus rally in Des Moines, Iowa, US, Feb 3, 2020)

Iowa voters met to render judgment on a field of 11 Democratic contenders led by front-runner Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont and his rivals, former Vice President Joe Biden, former South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg and Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts.

Party officials voiced confidence in their ability to ensure accurate results, citing a paper trail to validate the votes.

Trump called the Democratic caucus an "unmitigated disaster" in a tweet. "Nothing works, just like they ran the Country."

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
The Democrat Caucus is an unmitigated disaster. Nothing works, just like they ran the Country. Remember the 5 Billion Dollar Obamacare Website, that should have cost 2% of that. The only person that can claim a very big victory in Iowa last night is “Trump”.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1224657196392370177?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 4, 2020</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

But Republicans in Iowa have their own history of chaos. On the night of the party's 2012 caucuses, Mitt Romney was declared to have won by eight votes. But the party said two weeks later that Rick Santorum had won by a 34-vote margin. Romney went on to be the nominee.

Dismay in the ranks

Long lines and big crowds were reported in some locations on Monday, but more than ten hours after the doors closed there was no word on the outcome.

"Every second that passes undermines the process a little bit," said Warren's campaign manager Roger Lau.

A source in Buttigieg's campaign said the delay would "delegitimize" the win and dampen the immediate benefits of a strong night. Biden's general counsel, Dana Remus, told state party officials in a letter there were widespread failures in the party's system of reporting results.

Mostly white, rural Iowa is the first test in the state-by-state battle to pick a Democratic nominee to face Trump in the Nov. 3 election. After more than a year of campaigning and more than $800 million in spending, the results in Iowa were expected to begin to provide answers for a party desperately trying to figure out how to beat the businessman-turned-president.

Voters are pondering whether to back someone with an appeal to independents and disaffected Republicans, like moderates Biden, Buttigieg and Senator Amy Klobuchar of neighbouring Minnesota, or someone who energizes the party's liberal base and brings out new voters, like progressives Sanders and Warren.

Declaring victory

With no results to celebrate or mourn, the candidates spun their own upbeat view of the outcome. The Sanders campaign released what it said were its internal numbers collected at 40% of precincts, showing him in first, ahead of Buttigieg, Warren and Biden in fourth place.

"I have a strong feeling that at some point the results will be announced, and when those results are announced I have a good feeling we’re going to be doing very, very well here in Iowa," Sanders told cheering supporters.

Buttigieg told his supporters in Iowa that "we don't know the results" but was looking ahead to the next contest on Feb. 11 in New Hampshire.

"By all indications, we are going to New Hampshire victorious," he said.

Several of the candidates, including Biden, Klobuchar and Warren, headed to New Hampshire immediately after the caucuses. Sanders planned to fly there on Tuesday morning.

"Of course we don't know the results yet - minor problem - but we know we did incredibly well," Klobuchar told supporters at the Manchester, New Hampshire, airport.

At the caucus sites in Iowa, voters had gathered in groups by candidate preference in a public display of support. If a candidate did not attract 15% of voters, the total needed to be considered viable, that candidates' supporters were released to back another contender, leading to a further round of persuasion.

Even if one candidate eventually wins by a commanding margin in Iowa, Democrats may still lack clear answers as the race moves on to the other three early voting states of New Hampshire, Nevada and South Carolina later in February.

Whoever remains in the race by Super Tuesday on March 3, when 15 states and territories vote, will also confront billionaire former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who is skipping the early states in favour of focusing on states rich in delegates to the Democratic National Convention in July.

Sanders has surged in many Iowa polls to move just ahead of Biden.

Beating Trump was the prime consideration for voters as they entered the caucus, according to a poll of 1,512 Iowa Democrats conducted by the National Election Pool, with 62% saying they want someone who can beat Trump and 36% wanting a nominee who agrees with them on major issues.

Republicans also held Iowa caucuses on Monday, with Trump, who has around 90 per cent support in his party, declared the projected winner by media outlets. 
&nbsp;

President Donald Trump branded the Democratic Party's chaotic effort in Iowa to begin choosing an election challenger as an "unmitigated disaster" on Tuesday after results in the state caucus were delayed indefinitely.

President Donald Trump branded the Democratic Party's chaotic effort in Iowa to begin choosing an election challenger as an "unmitigated disaster" on Tuesday after results in the state caucus were delayed indefinitely. Hours after voters made their choices at 1,600 schools and other public locations, Iowa Democratic Party Chairman Troy Price told reporters to expect results sometime on Tuesday in the state, the first to hold a nominating contest. Also read: Iowa caucus results delayed due to 'inconsistencies' The party said it had to make "quality checks" after finding "inconsistencies" in the reporting of the data from caucus sites, sparking frustration among Democrats and criticism from Republicans. (Chasten and Pete Buttigieg pose for a selfie with supporters at an election night rally in Des Moines, Iowa, US, February 3 | Photo Credit: Reuters) It was unclear when any results would be released. (A supporter of Democratic 2020 US presidential candidate Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) listens as she speaks at her Iowa Caucus rally in Des Moines, Iowa, US, Feb 3, 2020) Iowa voters met to render judgment on a field of 11 Democratic contenders led by front-runner Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont and his rivals, former Vice President Joe Biden, former South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg and Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts. Party officials voiced confidence in their ability to ensure accurate results, citing a paper trail to validate the votes. Trump called the Democratic caucus an "unmitigated disaster" in a tweet. "Nothing works, just like they ran the Country." The Democrat Caucus is an unmitigated disaster. Nothing works, just like they ran the Country. Remember the 5 Billion Dollar Obamacare Website, that should have cost 2% of that. The only person that can claim a very big victory in Iowa last night is “Trump”. — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 4, 2020 × But Republicans in Iowa have their own history of chaos. On the night of the party's 2012 caucuses, Mitt Romney was declared to have won by eight votes. But the party said two weeks later that Rick Santorum had won by a 34-vote margin. Romney went on to be the nominee. Dismay in the ranks Long lines and big crowds were reported in some locations on Monday, but more than ten hours after the doors closed there was no word on the outcome. "Every second that passes undermines the process a little bit," said Warren's campaign manager Roger Lau. A source in Buttigieg's campaign said the delay would "delegitimize" the win and dampen the immediate benefits of a strong night. Biden's general counsel, Dana Remus, told state party officials in a letter there were widespread failures in the party's system of reporting results. Mostly white, rural Iowa is the first test in the state-by-state battle to pick a Democratic nominee to face Trump in the Nov. 3 election. After more than a year of campaigning and more than $800 million in spending, the results in Iowa were expected to begin to provide answers for a party desperately trying to figure out how to beat the businessman-turned-president. Voters are pondering whether to back someone with an appeal to independents and disaffected Republicans, like moderates Biden, Buttigieg and Senator Amy Klobuchar of neighbouring Minnesota, or someone who energizes the party's liberal base and brings out new voters, like progressives Sanders and Warren. Declaring victory With no results to celebrate or mourn, the candidates spun their own upbeat view of the outcome. The Sanders campaign released what it said were its internal numbers collected at 40% of precincts, showing him in first, ahead of Buttigieg, Warren and Biden in fourth place. "I have a strong feeling that at some point the results will be announced, and when those results are announced I have a good feeling we’re going to be doing very, very well here in Iowa," Sanders told cheering supporters. Buttigieg told his supporters in Iowa that "we don't know the results" but was looking ahead to the next contest on Feb. 11 in New Hampshire. "By all indications, we are going to New Hampshire victorious," he said. Several of the candidates, including Biden, Klobuchar and Warren, headed to New Hampshire immediately after the caucuses. Sanders planned to fly there on Tuesday morning. "Of course we don't know the results yet - minor problem - but we know we did incredibly well," Klobuchar told supporters at the Manchester, New Hampshire, airport. At the caucus sites in Iowa, voters had gathered in groups by candidate preference in a public display of support. If a candidate did not attract 15% of voters, the total needed to be considered viable, that candidates' supporters were released to back another contender, leading to a further round of persuasion. Even if one candidate eventually wins by a commanding margin in Iowa, Democrats may still lack clear answers as the race moves on to the other three early voting states of New Hampshire, Nevada and South Carolina later in February. Whoever remains in the race by Super Tuesday on March 3, when 15 states and territories vote, will also confront billionaire former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who is skipping the early states in favour of focusing on states rich in delegates to the Democratic National Convention in July. Sanders has surged in many Iowa polls to move just ahead of Biden. Beating Trump was the prime consideration for voters as they entered the caucus, according to a poll of 1,512 Iowa Democrats conducted by the National Election Pool, with 62% saying they want someone who can beat Trump and 36% wanting a nominee who agrees with them on major issues. Republicans also held Iowa caucuses on Monday, with Trump, who has around 90 per cent support in his party, declared the projected winner by media outlets.

Donald Trump calls Democrats Iowa 'unmitigated disaster' as Sanders, Buttigieg claim victory

WION Fineprint: Who is the most popular democrat in Iowa

WION Fineprint: All eye on Iowa caucuses 2020

Democratic presidential candidates fanned out across Iowa on Saturday for a frenzy of rallies and last-ditch speeches with just two days to go before the rural state kicks off the nominating process.

Public opinion polls show a tight race for the right to take on Republican <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/latest-world-news-trump-revives-border-wall-promise-in-iowa-campaign-speech-and-mocks-his-democrat-coworkers-277639">President Donald Trump</a> in November. US&nbsp;Senator Bernie Sanders and former Vice President Joe Biden are in a dead heat for first place, with US&nbsp;Senator Elizabeth Warren and former South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg close behind.

The final campaigning before Monday's caucuses took on extra urgency as Sanders, Warren and fellow senators have been stuck in Washington serving as jurors in Trump's impeachment trial and are due to return by Monday morning for closing arguments. Here is what is happening in Iowa <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/democratic-debate-six-candidates-face-off-in-iowas-capital-city-des-moines-274306">on the campaign trail</a>:

Settle for Biden

A comedy troupe confronted Biden on Saturday at a town hall in North Liberty, Iowa, prompting an awkward exchange. One of the men stood as Biden was getting underway with his speech and asked the former vice president for advice on how to get his wife back. Biden offered to speak to the man afterwards, but the man persisted.

"I’m beginning to see why your wife left you," Biden said to cheers and laughter at a packed campaign event. Moments later, another man stood up wearing a shirt that mimicked the colours and style of Biden campaign attire but instead said, "Settle for Biden." People chanted "Let’s go Joe" as the comedians exited. The men did not identify themselves to reporters but matched the descriptions of a comedy troupe called The Good Liars that confronts politicians at public events.

<img alt="Biden" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="f507c59f-4b4a-4525-9275-405a1006e1bc" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20-%202020-02-02T120135.102.jpg" /> 
[&nbsp;A woman attends a Democratic 2020 US&nbsp;presidential candidate and former Vice President Joe Biden's campaign event in Waterloo, Iowa (Courtesy: Reuters) ]

That's your job

US&nbsp;Senator Amy Klobuchar <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/democratic-debate-in-iowa-274401">zipped around Iowa</a> on a charter plane to try to hit as many campaign events as possible. Klobuchar is trying to mount a late surge and beat expectations after struggling for the past year to break 10 per cent&nbsp;in polls. Her campaign strategy has relied on spending time on the ground in Iowa, which got derailed by the impeachment trial.

Her final Saturday night event in Beaverdale, a suburb of Des Moines, at her fourth event of the day, she joked about being stuck in Washington. "I'm trying to make up for being gone for 10 days in two days," she said. "I may be the juror in that chamber but you are the jurors in this election. That's your job."

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions-blogs/us-presidential-elections-2020-which-democratic-contender-stands-where-277723">US Presidential elections 2020: Which Democratic contender stands where</a>

This is our moment

Warren may have hit the ground running in Iowa on Saturday, but she took a moment to offer new remarks reminiscing on a year on the campaign trail. “You’ve pressed notes into my hand, you’ve whispered your dreams into my ears, you’ve told me about your lives, about issues, about your ideas on how we can make things better,” she said at an event in Cedar Rapids.

At a Saturday morning event in Des Moines, signs behind her declared "Unite the Party," suggesting that she is best positioned to bring Democrats together to defeat Trump, a new addition to her campaign message in the closing stretch.

<img alt="Warren" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="403e38e5-7e5b-485f-9949-19cc50e69dd5" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20-%202020-02-02T120505.783.jpg" /> 
[&nbsp;Emma Patty runs with a sign supporting Democratic 2020 US&nbsp;presidential candidate and US&nbsp;Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) (Courtesy: Reuters) ]

Warren fled Washington on Friday night as soon as the impeachment proceedings ended for the day, arriving in Des Moines for a late-night event at a crowded brewery. The bar ran out of clean glasses to keep pouring beer before Warren emerged, holding her husband's hand and dragging him into the crowd.

The pressing need to play catch-up after having been taken off the campaign trail for Trump's trial was evident on Saturday. To save time so she could get to another event, Warren skipped her usual "selfie" line.

“I need to get around to a lot of places in Iowa today and tomorrow,” she said after one event. But she had a worthy substitute: Bailey, her golden retriever, who has become perhaps her most beloved campaign surrogate, would stay for a photo line. “He’s been working on his smile,” she said, as the crowd cooed at a happy-looking Bailey. “He’s ready.”

Sanders supporter boos Clinton

At a Sanders campaign rally on Friday night, one of his high-profile supporters waded into an ongoing fight with Hillary Clinton, his Democratic primary opponent in the 2016 White House contest. In an interview last month, Clinton said no one in the Senate liked Sanders, and she criticized how his supporters treated her after she won the nomination four years ago.

On Friday, when the crowd at Sanders' rally began to boo at the mention of Clinton's name, the moderator interjected, "We're not going to boo here, we're classy here." But US&nbsp;Representative Rashida Tlaib, speaking on a panel at the event, was not having any of it. "No, no. I'll boo. Boo," the congresswoman said. "You all know I can't be quiet, no, we're going to boo. That's all right, the haters will shut up on Monday when we win." On Saturday, she voiced regret.

"I allowed my disappointment with Secretary Clinton's latest comments about Senator Sanders and his supporters get the best of me," Tlaib said in a statement on Twitter, adding the movement "deserved better."

Union flips to Biden

A labour union representing 200,000 transit workers endorsed Biden on Saturday, a shift after having backed Sanders in the 2016 campaign. Sanders has been racking up union endorsements, support that played an important role in his failed 2016 bid for the nomination.

The Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) announced it is encouraging members to support Biden after a survey of the union's membership found a majority believe the former vice president is the best positioned to beat Trump.

"Joe Biden has been a true champion of working Americans throughout his career," said ATU International President John Costa in a statement. "We know he will fight to rebuild the middle class by restoring the rights of labour, advancing racial justice and equity, and bolstering our economy through an unprecedented investment in public services like transit."

Democratic presidential candidates fanned out across Iowa on Saturday for a frenzy of rallies and last-ditch speeches with just two days to go before the rural state kicks off the nominating process.

Democratic presidential candidates fanned out across Iowa on Saturday for a frenzy of rallies and last-ditch speeches with just two days to go before the rural state kicks off the nominating process. Public opinion polls show a tight race for the right to take on Republican President Donald Trump in November. US Senator Bernie Sanders and former Vice President Joe Biden are in a dead heat for first place, with US Senator Elizabeth Warren and former South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg close behind. The final campaigning before Monday's caucuses took on extra urgency as Sanders, Warren and fellow senators have been stuck in Washington serving as jurors in Trump's impeachment trial and are due to return by Monday morning for closing arguments. Here is what is happening in Iowa on the campaign trail: Settle for Biden A comedy troupe confronted Biden on Saturday at a town hall in North Liberty, Iowa, prompting an awkward exchange. One of the men stood as Biden was getting underway with his speech and asked the former vice president for advice on how to get his wife back. Biden offered to speak to the man afterwards, but the man persisted. "I’m beginning to see why your wife left you," Biden said to cheers and laughter at a packed campaign event. Moments later, another man stood up wearing a shirt that mimicked the colours and style of Biden campaign attire but instead said, "Settle for Biden." People chanted "Let’s go Joe" as the comedians exited. The men did not identify themselves to reporters but matched the descriptions of a comedy troupe called The Good Liars that confronts politicians at public events. [ A woman attends a Democratic 2020 US presidential candidate and former Vice President Joe Biden's campaign event in Waterloo, Iowa (Courtesy: Reuters) ] That's your job US Senator Amy Klobuchar zipped around Iowa on a charter plane to try to hit as many campaign events as possible. Klobuchar is trying to mount a late surge and beat expectations after struggling for the past year to break 10 per cent in polls. Her campaign strategy has relied on spending time on the ground in Iowa, which got derailed by the impeachment trial. Her final Saturday night event in Beaverdale, a suburb of Des Moines, at her fourth event of the day, she joked about being stuck in Washington. "I'm trying to make up for being gone for 10 days in two days," she said. "I may be the juror in that chamber but you are the jurors in this election. That's your job." Also Read: US Presidential elections 2020: Which Democratic contender stands where This is our moment Warren may have hit the ground running in Iowa on Saturday, but she took a moment to offer new remarks reminiscing on a year on the campaign trail. “You’ve pressed notes into my hand, you’ve whispered your dreams into my ears, you’ve told me about your lives, about issues, about your ideas on how we can make things better,” she said at an event in Cedar Rapids. At a Saturday morning event in Des Moines, signs behind her declared "Unite the Party," suggesting that she is best positioned to bring Democrats together to defeat Trump, a new addition to her campaign message in the closing stretch. [ Emma Patty runs with a sign supporting Democratic 2020 US presidential candidate and US Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) (Courtesy: Reuters) ] Warren fled Washington on Friday night as soon as the impeachment proceedings ended for the day, arriving in Des Moines for a late-night event at a crowded brewery. The bar ran out of clean glasses to keep pouring beer before Warren emerged, holding her husband's hand and dragging him into the crowd. The pressing need to play catch-up after having been taken off the campaign trail for Trump's trial was evident on Saturday. To save time so she could get to another event, Warren skipped her usual "selfie" line. “I need to get around to a lot of places in Iowa today and tomorrow,” she said after one event. But she had a worthy substitute: Bailey, her golden retriever, who has become perhaps her most beloved campaign surrogate, would stay for a photo line. “He’s been working on his smile,” she said, as the crowd cooed at a happy-looking Bailey. “He’s ready.” Sanders supporter boos Clinton At a Sanders campaign rally on Friday night, one of his high-profile supporters waded into an ongoing fight with Hillary Clinton, his Democratic primary opponent in the 2016 White House contest. In an interview last month, Clinton said no one in the Senate liked Sanders, and she criticized how his supporters treated her after she won the nomination four years ago. On Friday, when the crowd at Sanders' rally began to boo at the mention of Clinton's name, the moderator interjected, "We're not going to boo here, we're classy here." But US Representative Rashida Tlaib, speaking on a panel at the event, was not having any of it. "No, no. I'll boo. Boo," the congresswoman said. "You all know I can't be quiet, no, we're going to boo. That's all right, the haters will shut up on Monday when we win." On Saturday, she voiced regret. "I allowed my disappointment with Secretary Clinton's latest comments about Senator Sanders and his supporters get the best of me," Tlaib said in a statement on Twitter, adding the movement "deserved better." Union flips to Biden A labour union representing 200,000 transit workers endorsed Biden on Saturday, a shift after having backed Sanders in the 2016 campaign. Sanders has been racking up union endorsements, support that played an important role in his failed 2016 bid for the nomination. The Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) announced it is encouraging members to support Biden after a survey of the union's membership found a majority believe the former vice president is the best positioned to beat Trump. "Joe Biden has been a true champion of working Americans throughout his career," said ATU International President John Costa in a statement. "We know he will fight to rebuild the middle class by restoring the rights of labour, advancing racial justice and equity, and bolstering our economy through an unprecedented investment in public services like transit."

On the campaign trail: Democrats deliver closing arguments with dogs, comedians and planes

The US presidential race begins in earnest Monday when Iowans take the first votes in the process that ultimately determines which Democrat will face incumbent <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/latest-world-news-trump-revives-border-wall-promise-in-iowa-campaign-speech-and-mocks-his-democrat-coworkers-277639">Donald Trump</a> in November.

Here are five questions on key aspects of a crowded race that remains wide open ahead of the February 3 Iowa caucuses.

Will septuagenarians rise?&nbsp;

As campaigning ramped up last year, Democrats thirsted for new voices and faces that would ensure the nation's growing diversity is better reflected in the presidential race.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/latest-world-news-trump-revives-border-wall-promise-in-iowa-campaign-speech-and-mocks-his-democrat-coworkers-277639">Donald Trump revives border wall promise in Iowa campaign speech, mocks Democrats</a>

More than two dozen candidates with various backgrounds, ethnicities, ages and orientations piled into the battle to see who challenges 73-year-old real estate magnate Trump.

But with <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/latest-world-news-trump-revives-border-wall-promise-in-iowa-campaign-speech-and-mocks-his-democrat-coworkers-277639">Iowa</a> looming, four white candidates in their seventies occupy the top spots in national polls.

Former vice president <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions-blogs/us-presidential-elections-2020-which-democratic-contender-stands-where-277723">Joe Biden</a>, 77, is the national frontrunner, followed by far-left independent Senator <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions-blogs/us-presidential-elections-2020-which-democratic-contender-stands-where-277723">Bernie Sanders</a>, 78, and progressive Senator <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions-blogs/us-presidential-elections-2020-which-democratic-contender-stands-where-277723">Elizabeth Warren</a>, 70.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions-blogs/us-presidential-elections-2020-which-democratic-contender-stands-where-277723">US Presidential elections 2020: Which Democratic contender stands where</a>

Just this week, former New York mayor <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-candidate-bloomberg-vows-to-back-israel-takes-dig-at-sanders-276810">Michael Bloomberg</a>, who turns 78 in February, climbed into fourth place in the Realclearpolitics polling average.

The billionaire businessman surpassed former Indiana mayor Pete Buttigieg, who at 38 is the youngest hopeful in the race.&nbsp;

Bloomberg entered the campaign late and is not contesting Iowa, where Buttigieg is in the top tier challenging rivals twice his age.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-candidate-bloomberg-vows-to-back-israel-takes-dig-at-sanders-276810">US candidate Bloomberg vows to back Israel, takes dig at Sanders</a>

Radical party, or realist?&nbsp;

Who is best positioned to defeat Trump?

Consumed by this central question, Democratic voters must choose among favorites in a field sharply divided between radical progressives and more moderate realists.&nbsp;

It is currently the party's main quandary, underscored by The New York Times as it explained why, for the first time in its 169-year history, its editorial board broke with tradition to endorse not just a single candidate, but two: Warren, representing the more "radical" faction, and Amy Klobuchar, a 59-year-old senator in the "realistic" camp.&nbsp;

Biden and Buttigieg, like Klobuchar, take a more centrist approach while Sanders, a Democratic socialist seeking to win the nomination of a party he has never joined, calls for nothing less than political "revolution."

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/donald-trumps-impeachment-democrats-lay-out-abuse-of-power-case-276260/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Four states, four winners?

With working-class voters, Midwest farmers, African-Americans or Hispanics seeing different strengths among each of the candidates, a different candidate could potentially win each of the first four early-voting states.

Iowa and New Hampshire (which votes second, on February 11) are largely rural and homogenous. Nevada (February 22) has a large Latino population, while in South Carolina (February 29), black voters represent a majority of the Democratic electorate.

Also see:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/democratic-debate-in-iowa-274401">Democratic Debate in Iowa</a>

Brokered convention?

Given such a tight race, it is possible that no candidate arrives at the Democratic National Convention on July 13 with enough delegates in hand to claim victory.

Democrats and Republicans both use a complicated process involving pledged delegates proportioned according to primary and caucus results across the nation.

To carry the Democratic torch in the election, one must win a majority of the 3,979 delegates.

If no candidate has a majority, pledged delegates would become free to vote for someone else on the convention's second ballot if their candidate drops out.

Complicating matters, if the convention has no outright winner after the first ballot, more than 700 "superdelegates" -- party officials and insiders who are automatically made delegates -- would then be eligible to vote in selecting the nominee.

Impeachment impact?

The Senate's Trump impeachment trial has had an unprecedented impact on the campaign, particularly in Iowa.

Four senators running for president -- Sanders, Warren, Klobuchar and low-polling Michael Bennet -- spent most of the last two weeks pinned to Washington, denied the personal contact with Iowa voters so vital before the caucuses.

Trump's impeachment by the House of Representatives on December 18 has not changed the political fault lines in an extremely divided country.

About nine in 10 Republicans support the president, and he is expected to be acquitted by the Senate's Republican majority.

The US presidential race begins in earnest Monday when Iowans take the first votes in the process that ultimately determines which Democrat will face incumbent Donald Trump in November.

The US presidential race begins in earnest Monday when Iowans take the first votes in the process that ultimately determines which Democrat will face incumbent Donald Trump in November. Here are five questions on key aspects of a crowded race that remains wide open ahead of the February 3 Iowa caucuses. Will septuagenarians rise? As campaigning ramped up last year, Democrats thirsted for new voices and faces that would ensure the nation's growing diversity is better reflected in the presidential race. Also read: Donald Trump revives border wall promise in Iowa campaign speech, mocks Democrats More than two dozen candidates with various backgrounds, ethnicities, ages and orientations piled into the battle to see who challenges 73-year-old real estate magnate Trump. But with Iowa looming, four white candidates in their seventies occupy the top spots in national polls. Former vice president Joe Biden, 77, is the national frontrunner, followed by far-left independent Senator Bernie Sanders, 78, and progressive Senator Elizabeth Warren, 70. Also read: US Presidential elections 2020: Which Democratic contender stands where Just this week, former New York mayor Michael Bloomberg, who turns 78 in February, climbed into fourth place in the Realclearpolitics polling average. The billionaire businessman surpassed former Indiana mayor Pete Buttigieg, who at 38 is the youngest hopeful in the race. Bloomberg entered the campaign late and is not contesting Iowa, where Buttigieg is in the top tier challenging rivals twice his age. Also read: US candidate Bloomberg vows to back Israel, takes dig at Sanders Radical party, or realist? Who is best positioned to defeat Trump? Consumed by this central question, Democratic voters must choose among favorites in a field sharply divided between radical progressives and more moderate realists. It is currently the party's main quandary, underscored by The New York Times as it explained why, for the first time in its 169-year history, its editorial board broke with tradition to endorse not just a single candidate, but two: Warren, representing the more "radical" faction, and Amy Klobuchar, a 59-year-old senator in the "realistic" camp. Biden and Buttigieg, like Klobuchar, take a more centrist approach while Sanders, a Democratic socialist seeking to win the nomination of a party he has never joined, calls for nothing less than political "revolution." Four states, four winners? With working-class voters, Midwest farmers, African-Americans or Hispanics seeing different strengths among each of the candidates, a different candidate could potentially win each of the first four early-voting states. Iowa and New Hampshire (which votes second, on February 11) are largely rural and homogenous. Nevada (February 22) has a large Latino population, while in South Carolina (February 29), black voters represent a majority of the Democratic electorate. Also see: Democratic Debate in Iowa Brokered convention? Given such a tight race, it is possible that no candidate arrives at the Democratic National Convention on July 13 with enough delegates in hand to claim victory. Democrats and Republicans both use a complicated process involving pledged delegates proportioned according to primary and caucus results across the nation. To carry the Democratic torch in the election, one must win a majority of the 3,979 delegates. If no candidate has a majority, pledged delegates would become free to vote for someone else on the convention's second ballot if their candidate drops out. Complicating matters, if the convention has no outright winner after the first ballot, more than 700 "superdelegates" -- party officials and insiders who are automatically made delegates -- would then be eligible to vote in selecting the nominee. Impeachment impact? The Senate's Trump impeachment trial has had an unprecedented impact on the campaign, particularly in Iowa. Four senators running for president -- Sanders, Warren, Klobuchar and low-polling Michael Bennet -- spent most of the last two weeks pinned to Washington, denied the personal contact with Iowa voters so vital before the caucuses. Trump's impeachment by the House of Representatives on December 18 has not changed the political fault lines in an extremely divided country. About nine in 10 Republicans support the president, and he is expected to be acquitted by the Senate's Republican majority.

Five questions on the Democratic White House nomination process

“Nobody likes him, nobody wants to work with him, he got nothing done. He was a career politician,” she said. “It’s all just baloney and I feel so bad that people got sucked into it.

Hillary Clinton says 'nobody likes' Bernie Sanders

The Democratic Party of the United States is a house divided against itself and it seems like a hopeless cause given that we are just two weeks away from the Iowa Caucuses.

The Democratic Party of the United States is a house divided against itself and it seems like a hopeless cause given that we are just two weeks away from the Iowa Caucuses. Former Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton has slammed her 2016 opponent Bernie Sanders by refusing to endorse him for President. Also read: Ahead of 2020 US presidential election Trump accused Google of 'very illegal' acts In her latest documentary film, she does not shy away from tearing the Vermont senator a new one. Statements such as "He was in Congress for years, he had one Senator support him", "Nobody likes him, nobody wants to work with him, he got nothing done", "He's was a career politician, it's all just baloney," were made. In pics: Democratic Debate in Iowa When asked about Hillary's assertion that "nobody likes him", Senator Sanders said, "On a good day, my wife likes me, so let's clear the air on that one." Bernie Sanders has taken the high road, claiming that Donald Trump's impeachment is his major priority at the moment. Tulsi Gabbard, a fellow candidate slammed Hillary for her verbiage, tweeting that she liked Bernie Sanders, unlike Hillary. I like Bernie. #ILikeBernie — Tulsi Gabbard 🌺 (@TulsiGabbard) January 21, 2020 × After Clinton won the Democratic nomination in 2016, Sanders had in fact campaigned for her across the US, but the Clinton Campaign had blamed him for not dropping out of the race sooner and creating divisions in the party as well as the electorate. Former President Barack Obama has been sceptical about Bernie's possible nomination, warning candidates to not embrace socialist ideas - a clear reference to Bernie Sanders.

US Presidential Elections 2020: Hillary Clinton slams Bernie Sanders; Tulsi Gabbard claps back on Twitter

In response, Sanders' campaign refused to back down and continued to cite the video as evidence that Biden wants to limit the government-run retirement and disability program.

With about two weeks until the primary selection process kicks off in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/democratic-debate-in-iowa-274401#amy-klobuchar-274383">Iowa</a>, Sanders and his campaign have ramped up their attacks on opponents, escalating their criticism of Biden and fellow liberal U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren.

<img alt="Joe Biden vs. Bernie Sanders" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="2bc7c0ca-230c-4ffd-84bf-498965f1172a" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%2810%29_14.jpg" /> 
[ Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders (Courtesy: Reuters) ]

Sanders and Biden are locked in a tight, four-way race in Iowa along with Warren and Pete Buttigieg, the former mayor of South Bend, Indiana, to win the Democratic nomination to challenge Republican President Donald Trump in November.

Biden denied wanting to cut Social Security when asked at an Iowa campaign event on Saturday about rumors he wants to change the program, and he lambasted Sanders' campaign.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/democratic-debate-six-candidates-face-off-in-iowas-capital-city-des-moines-274306">Democratic debate: Six candidates face off in Iowa's capital city Des Moines</a>

Biden accused "Bernie's people" of putting out a "doctored video" that was edited to appear to show him agreeing with former Republican Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Paul Ryan that Social Security should be privatized.

<img alt="FIle Photo: Joe Biden" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="1838ff3c-6d8a-41e9-8f95-39fc979fe731" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%2811%29_10.jpg" /> 
[Presidential Candidate Joe Biden (Courtesy: Reuters) ]

"It's simply a lie, that video is a lie," Biden said. "I'm looking for his campaign to come forward and disown it but they haven't done it yet."

In response, Sanders' campaign manager Faiz Shakir doubled down on the attack, saying in a statement, "Biden not only pushed to cut Social Security -- he is on tape proudly bragging about it on multiple occasions."

At the centre of the back-and-forth is a newsletter the Sanders campaign distributed recently that pointed to a speech Biden gave to the Brookings Institution think tank in 2018. Biden is quoted as saying, "Paul Ryan was correct when he did the tax code. What's the first thing he decided we had to go after? Social Security and Medicare."

However, the video of the speech makes clear Biden was actually mocking Ryan for the proposal. He leans into the microphone and says in a deep, menacing stage whisper: "Social Security and Medicare." Biden then goes on to say – in remarks not disseminated by the Sanders campaign – that the tax code needs to be reformed so enough revenue is raised to save Social Security and Medicare.

PolitiFact, an independent fact-checker, rated the Sanders newsletter as false.

In response, Sanders' campaign refused to back down and continued to cite the video as evidence that Biden wants to limit the government-run retirement and disability program.

In response, Sanders' campaign refused to back down and continued to cite the video as evidence that Biden wants to limit the government-run retirement and disability program. With about two weeks until the primary selection process kicks off in Iowa, Sanders and his campaign have ramped up their attacks on opponents, escalating their criticism of Biden and fellow liberal U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren. [ Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders (Courtesy: Reuters) ] Sanders and Biden are locked in a tight, four-way race in Iowa along with Warren and Pete Buttigieg, the former mayor of South Bend, Indiana, to win the Democratic nomination to challenge Republican President Donald Trump in November. Biden denied wanting to cut Social Security when asked at an Iowa campaign event on Saturday about rumors he wants to change the program, and he lambasted Sanders' campaign. Also Read: Democratic debate: Six candidates face off in Iowa's capital city Des Moines Biden accused "Bernie's people" of putting out a "doctored video" that was edited to appear to show him agreeing with former Republican Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Paul Ryan that Social Security should be privatized. [Presidential Candidate Joe Biden (Courtesy: Reuters) ] "It's simply a lie, that video is a lie," Biden said. "I'm looking for his campaign to come forward and disown it but they haven't done it yet." In response, Sanders' campaign manager Faiz Shakir doubled down on the attack, saying in a statement, "Biden not only pushed to cut Social Security -- he is on tape proudly bragging about it on multiple occasions." At the centre of the back-and-forth is a newsletter the Sanders campaign distributed recently that pointed to a speech Biden gave to the Brookings Institution think tank in 2018. Biden is quoted as saying, "Paul Ryan was correct when he did the tax code. What's the first thing he decided we had to go after? Social Security and Medicare." However, the video of the speech makes clear Biden was actually mocking Ryan for the proposal. He leans into the microphone and says in a deep, menacing stage whisper: "Social Security and Medicare." Biden then goes on to say – in remarks not disseminated by the Sanders campaign – that the tax code needs to be reformed so enough revenue is raised to save Social Security and Medicare. PolitiFact, an independent fact-checker, rated the Sanders newsletter as false.

'Simply a lie', Biden accuses Sanders campaign of releasing 'doctored' video

The best-laid plans of Democratic presidential contender <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-backs-sanders-in-row-with-warren-over-prospect-of-female-us-president-274374&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjl3ZP71YrnAhUQ8HMBHbGIAuQQFjAGegQIBhAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw179j15ixjuOJusp2LJnY8X">Bernie Sanders</a> were upended this week – and his campaign is struggling to get back on track.

Sanders went into the week looking to draw a sharper contrast between his progressive agenda and that of former Vice President Joe Biden, a moderate and his top rival for the Democratic nomination.

Instead, his flap with fellow senator, friend and progressive ally <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/world/im-disappointed-bernie-sanders-sent-volunteers-to-trash-me-elizabeth-warren-273907&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjl3ZP71YrnAhUQ8HMBHbGIAuQQFjAAegQIAhAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw3bP0HkoXVBtbHWzD71wofO">Elizabeth Warren</a> over gender and electability has dominated the news, an unwelcome twist for a campaign that pulled into the top of the race in the early voting states of Iowa and New Hampshire just weeks before the first voting begins.

The U.S. senator from Vermont has found himself on the defensive after Warren accused him of telling her during a 2018 meeting that a woman could not beat Republican President Donald Trump in the November election. Sanders has denied saying that.

The disagreement between the two liberals grew more inflamed after a CNN microphone caught Warren telling Sanders he made her out to be a liar at Tuesday’s debate in Iowa.

The back-and-forth has had their supporters at odds on social media, <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/world/bernie-sanders-said-no-woman-could-beat-donald-trump-in-2020-elizabeth-warren-274125&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjl3ZP71YrnAhUQ8HMBHbGIAuQQFjADegQICRAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw17ZAglT4ia7_08fKsLmdzX">distressing progressives</a> who want to present a unified front against a “corporate Democrat” going into the 2020 nominating contests, which kick off on Feb. 3 in Iowa.

So far, the dispute does not appear to have hurt Sanders, who saw his support among independents and Democrats rise by 2 points to 20% - ahead of Biden’s 19% - in the past week.

Warren was at 12 percent in the poll. Her momentum has stalled since November, when she detailed how she would finance the Medicare for All government health insurance proposal she and Sanders have championed.

Progressive groups worry that bad blood could push some supporters of either Sanders or Warren to defect to a more moderate candidate such as Biden or former South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg if their candidate falters.

The Sanders campaign sought on Thursday to turn the conversation away from Warren and back to Biden, with whom Sanders disagrees on matters ranging from foreign policy to trade.

Sanders’ supporters have shared videos of past speeches where Biden spoke in favor of the invasion of Iraq, which Sanders opposed.

“The focus for progressives should be on making sure that we have a progressive nominee, and the person standing in the way of having a nominee with the strongest progressive record is Joe Biden,” Sanders speechwriter David Sirota stated.

Other damage-control efforts were under way. Almost 20 progressive groups said on Thursday they were joining together to mount a unity campaign aimed at calming tensions between Warren and Sanders and ensuring that a liberal becomes the nominee.

A Democratic strategist aligned with Warren who asked not to be identified suggested her campaign was moving on from the matter and focusing on “driving home her core campaign themes.”

Warren’s supporters have neither been encouraged nor barred from talking about the 2018 meeting, the strategist said.

Warren’s campaign did not respond to a request for comment.

Both Warren and Sanders, along with presidential rival Amy Klobuchar, will have to take time away from the campaign trail ahead of the Iowa nominating contest to serve as jurors in the Senate impeachment trial of Trump.

The best-laid plans of Democratic presidential contender Bernie Sanders were upended this week – and his campaign is struggling to get back on track. Sanders went into the week looking to draw a sharper contrast between his progressive agenda and that of former Vice President Joe Biden, a moderate and his top rival for the Democratic nomination.

The best-laid plans of Democratic presidential contender Bernie Sanders were upended this week – and his campaign is struggling to get back on track. Sanders went into the week looking to draw a sharper contrast between his progressive agenda and that of former Vice President Joe Biden, a moderate and his top rival for the Democratic nomination. Instead, his flap with fellow senator, friend and progressive ally Elizabeth Warren over gender and electability has dominated the news, an unwelcome twist for a campaign that pulled into the top of the race in the early voting states of Iowa and New Hampshire just weeks before the first voting begins. The U.S. senator from Vermont has found himself on the defensive after Warren accused him of telling her during a 2018 meeting that a woman could not beat Republican President Donald Trump in the November election. Sanders has denied saying that. The disagreement between the two liberals grew more inflamed after a CNN microphone caught Warren telling Sanders he made her out to be a liar at Tuesday’s debate in Iowa. The back-and-forth has had their supporters at odds on social media, distressing progressives who want to present a unified front against a “corporate Democrat” going into the 2020 nominating contests, which kick off on Feb. 3 in Iowa. So far, the dispute does not appear to have hurt Sanders, who saw his support among independents and Democrats rise by 2 points to 20% - ahead of Biden’s 19% - in the past week. Warren was at 12 percent in the poll. Her momentum has stalled since November, when she detailed how she would finance the Medicare for All government health insurance proposal she and Sanders have championed. Progressive groups worry that bad blood could push some supporters of either Sanders or Warren to defect to a more moderate candidate such as Biden or former South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg if their candidate falters. The Sanders campaign sought on Thursday to turn the conversation away from Warren and back to Biden, with whom Sanders disagrees on matters ranging from foreign policy to trade. Sanders’ supporters have shared videos of past speeches where Biden spoke in favor of the invasion of Iraq, which Sanders opposed. “The focus for progressives should be on making sure that we have a progressive nominee, and the person standing in the way of having a nominee with the strongest progressive record is Joe Biden,” Sanders speechwriter David Sirota stated. Other damage-control efforts were under way. Almost 20 progressive groups said on Thursday they were joining together to mount a unity campaign aimed at calming tensions between Warren and Sanders and ensuring that a liberal becomes the nominee. A Democratic strategist aligned with Warren who asked not to be identified suggested her campaign was moving on from the matter and focusing on “driving home her core campaign themes.” Warren’s supporters have neither been encouraged nor barred from talking about the 2018 meeting, the strategist said. Warren’s campaign did not respond to a request for comment. Both Warren and Sanders, along with presidential rival Amy Klobuchar, will have to take time away from the campaign trail ahead of the Iowa nominating contest to serve as jurors in the Senate impeachment trial of Trump.

Flap with Warren knocks Sanders' strategy off course

Democratic Debate in Iowa

US President Donald Trump backed Democratic presidential contender Bernie Sanders in his back-and-forth with rival Elizabeth Warren, saying he did not believe Sanders would suggest a woman could not win the 2020 election.

US President Donald Trump backed Democratic presidential contender Bernie Sanders in his back-and-forth with rival Elizabeth Warren, saying he did not believe Sanders would suggest a woman could not win the 2020 election. Tensions between Warren and Sanders, two US senators who are running for the Democratic nomination, have escalated after a report that Sanders told Warren in 2018 that he did not believe a woman could beat Trump. Warren confirmed the report late on Monday in a statement, saying: "I thought a woman could win; he disagreed." However, Sanders has denied making such a statement. Trump, at a rally in Wisconsin on Tuesday, sided with the self-described democratic socialist. "I don’t believe that Bernie said that. I really don’t. It’s not the kind of a thing he would say,” Trump said, adding that he did not know Sanders and did not like him. Trump beat former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in the 2016 White House race. According to Reuters, Trump may have reason to favuor Sanders in the Democratic primary race. At rallies, his promise to prevent America from becoming a socialist country always get loud applause. If Sanders were to win the nomination, Trump would be able to make that argument a key and popular part of his re-election pitch.

Trump backs Sanders in row with Warren over prospect of female US president

Elizabeth Warren made another stunning revelation against fellow Democratic presidential contender Bernie Sanders that he had told her earlier that a woman could not win the 2020 US election.&nbsp;

Warren's comments came amid escalating tensions between her and Sanders, who are friends and have similar ideological leanings.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/im-disappointed-bernie-sanders-sent-volunteers-to-trash-me-elizabeth-warren-273907">'I'm disappointed Bernie Sanders sent volunteers to trash me': Elizabeth Warren</a>

Earlier, as per a CNN report, Sanders told Warren in a 2018 meeting that he does not believe that a woman could beat US President Donald Trump. The media outlet also mentioned the names of four people who have knowledge about the meeting.&nbsp;

Watch:&nbsp;

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/warren-sanders-campaigns-spar-in-rare-show-of-discord-between-progressive-democratic-contenders-273901/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Sanders denied the report and in an interview to CNN said that it was "ludicrous" that he would tell Warren a woman could not win.&nbsp;

"I thought a woman could win; he disagreed," Warren said in a statement released on Monday.&nbsp;

Warren&nbsp;later said that she has no interest in discussing this private meeting anymore "because Bernie and I have far more in common than our differences in punditry".

The tensions between both the senators earlier rose when Politico reported on Sunday that Sanders' campaign volunteers are describing Warren as a candidate for the elite.&nbsp;

Warren responded she was disappointed to know that Sanders&nbsp;was sending volunteers to "trash" her.&nbsp;

Sanders later said that he didn't approve of talking negative points about other rival candidates.&nbsp;

"Elizabeth Warren is a very good friend of mine... No one is gonna trash Elizabeth Warren," Sanders had said.&nbsp;

Warren and Sanders will face off in the seventh Democratic presidential debate on Tuesday.&nbsp;

Elizabeth Warren made another stunning revelation against fellow Democratic presidential contender Bernie Sanders that he had told her earlier that a woman could not win the 2020 US election.

Elizabeth Warren made another stunning revelation against fellow Democratic presidential contender Bernie Sanders that he had told her earlier that a woman could not win the 2020 US election. Warren's comments came amid escalating tensions between her and Sanders, who are friends and have similar ideological leanings. Also read: 'I'm disappointed Bernie Sanders sent volunteers to trash me': Elizabeth Warren Earlier, as per a CNN report, Sanders told Warren in a 2018 meeting that he does not believe that a woman could beat US President Donald Trump. The media outlet also mentioned the names of four people who have knowledge about the meeting. Watch: Sanders denied the report and in an interview to CNN said that it was "ludicrous" that he would tell Warren a woman could not win. "I thought a woman could win; he disagreed," Warren said in a statement released on Monday. Warren later said that she has no interest in discussing this private meeting anymore "because Bernie and I have far more in common than our differences in punditry". The tensions between both the senators earlier rose when Politico reported on Sunday that Sanders' campaign volunteers are describing Warren as a candidate for the elite. Warren responded she was disappointed to know that Sanders was sending volunteers to "trash" her. Sanders later said that he didn't approve of talking negative points about other rival candidates. "Elizabeth Warren is a very good friend of mine... No one is gonna trash Elizabeth Warren," Sanders had said. Warren and Sanders will face off in the seventh Democratic presidential debate on Tuesday.

Bernie Sanders said no woman could beat Donald Trump in 2020: Elizabeth Warren

Presidential contender Elizabeth Warren slammed his friend and another Democratic candidate Bernie Sanders on Sunday for describing her a candidate for the elite.

Warren said that she was disappointed to know that Bernie was sending volunteers to "trash" her.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/elizabeth-warren-and-bernie-sanders-defend-progressive-policies-in-us-democratic-debate-239616">Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders defend progressive policies in US Democratic debate</a>

"Bernie knows me and has known me for a long time. He knows who I am, where I come from, what I have worked on and fought for, and the coalition and grassroots movement we are trying to build. Democrats want to win in 2020. We all saw the impact of the factionalism in 2016 and we can't have a repeat of that," Warren said.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/democratic-candidate-warren-discloses-details-of-past-legal-work-showing-2-million-in-compensation-267187">Democratic candidate Warren discloses details of past legal work, showing $2 million in compensation</a>

Warren and Sanders are friends and have similar ideological leanings and before this development, both of these candidates avoided a confrontation against each other.&nbsp;

"I hope Bernie reconsiders and turns his campaign in a different direction."

Earlier, a report by Politico claimed that volunteers of Sanders' campaign argue to voters that Warren was supported by "highly-educated, more affluent people who are going to show up and vote Democratic no matter what". &nbsp;The report added that Warren's campaign is not motivating people who do not cast their vote.&nbsp;

After the report, Sanders said that he did not approve of talking negative points about other candidates.&nbsp;

"We have over 500 people on our campaign. People do certain things. I'm sure that in Elizabeth's campaign people do certain things as well. But you have heard me for months. I have never said a negative word about Elizabeth Warren who is a friend of mine. We have differences on issues, that's what campaigning is about. But no one is going to be attacking Elizabeth."

He also called Warren "a good friend of mine" and said that nobody would trash her.&nbsp;

"Elizabeth Warren is a very good friend of mine. We have worked together in the Senate for years. Elizabeth Warren and I will continue to work together. We will debate the issues. No one is gonna trash Elizabeth Warren."

(with Reuters inputs)

&nbsp;

 
&nbsp;

Presidential contender Elizabeth Warren slammed his friend and another Democratic candidate Bernie Sanders on Sunday for describing her a candidate for the elite.

Presidential contender Elizabeth Warren slammed his friend and another Democratic candidate Bernie Sanders on Sunday for describing her a candidate for the elite. Warren said that she was disappointed to know that Bernie was sending volunteers to "trash" her. Also read: Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders defend progressive policies in US Democratic debate "Bernie knows me and has known me for a long time. He knows who I am, where I come from, what I have worked on and fought for, and the coalition and grassroots movement we are trying to build. Democrats want to win in 2020. We all saw the impact of the factionalism in 2016 and we can't have a repeat of that," Warren said. Also read: Democratic candidate Warren discloses details of past legal work, showing $2 million in compensation Warren and Sanders are friends and have similar ideological leanings and before this development, both of these candidates avoided a confrontation against each other. "I hope Bernie reconsiders and turns his campaign in a different direction." Earlier, a report by Politico claimed that volunteers of Sanders' campaign argue to voters that Warren was supported by "highly-educated, more affluent people who are going to show up and vote Democratic no matter what". The report added that Warren's campaign is not motivating people who do not cast their vote. After the report, Sanders said that he did not approve of talking negative points about other candidates. "We have over 500 people on our campaign. People do certain things. I'm sure that in Elizabeth's campaign people do certain things as well. But you have heard me for months. I have never said a negative word about Elizabeth Warren who is a friend of mine. We have differences on issues, that's what campaigning is about. But no one is going to be attacking Elizabeth." He also called Warren "a good friend of mine" and said that nobody would trash her. "Elizabeth Warren is a very good friend of mine. We have worked together in the Senate for years. Elizabeth Warren and I will continue to work together. We will debate the issues. No one is gonna trash Elizabeth Warren." (with Reuters inputs)

'I'm disappointed Bernie Sanders sent volunteers to trash me': Elizabeth Warren

A rare sign of discord emerged on Sunday (January 12) between progressive Democratic presidential contenders Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders over a report that Sanders' campaign volunteers had called her a candidate of the elite in conversations with voters. #WION

Elizabeth Warren slams Sanders for sending volunteers to 'trash' her

US&nbsp;presidential candidate <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/bloomberg-trump-to-air-dueling-super-bowl-ads-272836">Michael Bloomberg</a> told reporters he is ready to spend much of his vast fortune to oust Republican President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-warns-iran-against-massacre-as-protests-erupt-over-downing-of-ukrainian-airplane-273670">Donald Trump</a> from the White House in 2020, rejecting criticism from rivals for the Democratic nomination that the billionaire is trying to buy the US&nbsp;election.

Ranked by Forbes as the eighth-richest American, Bloomberg has flooded US&nbsp;airwaves and social media feeds with messages that he stands the best chance to beat Trump, spending more on campaign ads since he launched his campaign in November than his main Democratic rivals have over the last year.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Today, people all over the nation are showing their support for our campaign, and I couldn't be more honored, grateful and hopeful for our future. 
 
Together, we will defeat Donald Trump. 
 
Together, we will rebuild America. 
 
Together, we will <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GetItDone?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GetItDone</a>! <a href="https://t.co/jMmIcKExTv">pic.twitter.com/jMmIcKExTv</a>
— Mike Bloomberg (@MikeBloomberg) <a href="https://twitter.com/MikeBloomberg/status/1216082774249164800?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 11, 2020</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

"Number one priority is to get rid of Donald Trump. I'm spending all my money to get rid of Trump," Bloomberg told reporters aboard his campaign bus on Saturday, during a nearly 300-mile (483-km) drive across Texas, one of the 14 states that will vote on Super Tuesday on March 3.

"Do you want me to spend more or less? End of story."

US&nbsp;Senator <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/three-swing-district-democrats-back-joe-bidens-presidential-bid-272511">Elizabeth Warren</a>, one of the leading Democratic presidential contenders who has vowed to get money out of politics, blasted Bloomberg when he launched his campaign with a $37-million TV advertising blitz, accusing the former New York City mayor of trying to buy American democracy.

"These are just political things they say, hoping they catch on and they don't like me doing it, because it competes with them, not because it's bad policy," Bloomberg said.

After entering the race late and missing the first six Democratic debates, Bloomberg generally sits fifth in national public opinion polls behind <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-senate-leader-ready-to-pass-impeachment-trial-rules-without-democrats-272835">Joe Biden</a>, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/white-house-gives-lawmakers-formal-notice-of-iraq-strike-amid-complaints-from-democrats-272196">Bernie Sanders</a>, Warren and <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/democratic-candidate-warren-discloses-details-of-past-legal-work-showing-2-million-in-compensation-267187">Pete Buttigieg</a>.

But not just the two liberal standard-bearers of Warren and Sanders, all of the four are too liberal to beat Trump, Bloomberg said.

"One of the reasons I'm reasonably confident I could beat Trump is I would be acceptable to the moderate <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/texass-greg-abbott-becomes-first-to-refuse-refugees-order-given-by-president-donald-trump-273510">Republicans</a> you have to have," said Bloomberg, a former Republican who made his fortune selling financial information to Wall Street firms.

"Whether you like it or not, you can’t win the election unless you get moderate Republicans to cross the line. The others are much too liberal for them and they would certainly vote for <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-house-of-representatives-curbs-trumps-war-power-amid-iran-tensions-273283">Donald Trump</a>."

After a late entry into the race, he is skipping the first four Democratic nomination contests in Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada and South Carolina all due to take place in February.

Instead, Bloomberg is waging a nationwide campaign to capture delegates in later contests such as Texas, which will be the second-largest prize among the 14 Super Tuesday states.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Thank you for spending part of your weekend with me, Austin! <a href="https://t.co/u8UidNtflR">https://t.co/u8UidNtflR</a>
— Mike Bloomberg (@MikeBloomberg) <a href="https://twitter.com/MikeBloomberg/status/1216113830176198657?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 11, 2020</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

At campaign events in San Antonio, Austin and Dallas in Texas on Saturday, Bloomberg said his bipartisan nature made it more likely he could deliver on his pledges to expand health insurance coverage, fight climate change and reduce gun violence.

While his speeches drew modest crowds of no more than a few hundred in Austin and fewer still in San Antonio, many who attended said they were independents or former Trump supporters who had learned about Bloomberg through his massive advertising campaign.

"He’s better than Trump," said Marcelo Montemayor, 75, who listened to Bloomberg speak at a taco restaurant in San Antonio.

Montemayor voted for Trump in 2016 but worries the president’s conservative appointees to federal courts could undermine <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/united-states-supreme-court-leaves-kentucky-abortion-restriction-in-place-267309">abortion rights</a>.

Bloomberg's television ads have dominated the airwaves both nationwide and in Texas.

Watch:&nbsp;Donald Trump Vs Michael Bloomberg: The battle of the millionaires

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/donald-trump-vs-michael-bloomberg-the-battle-of-the-millionaires-265992/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

In the top four media markets in the Lone Star State, which include Houston and Dallas, Bloomberg has spent more than $15 million on television ads through mid-January, said Mark Jones, a political scientist at Houston's Rice University, who analyzed <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/where-us-presidential-candidates-stand-on-breaking-up-big-tech-258654">Federal Communications Commission</a> records on ad buys.

That exceeds the combined spending nationwide by Democratic frontrunners in 2019, according to a Wesleyan Media Project analysis of Kantar/CMAG television ad data through mid-December.

And for this year's Super Bowl broadcast on February&nbsp;2 in Miami, Trump and Bloomberg both plan to air a 60-second television commercial, a prime example of their ability to devote vast resources to reach millions of viewers.

Trump campaign officials said the campaign paid $10 million for air time. Last year’s <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/former-commissioner-david-stern-dies-at-77-made-league-truly-global-brand-271536">National Football League</a> championship game drew nearly 100 million viewers.

"You can't get to 330 million people by shaking hands. Television is still the magic medium," Bloomberg said.

"If the Super Bowl wasn't a place to get to an awful lot of people they wouldn't be charging a lot, or nobody would be paying it. This is capitalism at work."

US presidential candidate Michael Bloomberg told reporters he is ready to spend much of his vast fortune to oust Republican President Donald Trump from the White House in 2020, rejecting criticism from rivals for the Democratic nomination that the billionaire is trying to buy the US election.

US presidential candidate Michael Bloomberg told reporters he is ready to spend much of his vast fortune to oust Republican President Donald Trump from the White House in 2020, rejecting criticism from rivals for the Democratic nomination that the billionaire is trying to buy the US election. Ranked by Forbes as the eighth-richest American, Bloomberg has flooded US airwaves and social media feeds with messages that he stands the best chance to beat Trump, spending more on campaign ads since he launched his campaign in November than his main Democratic rivals have over the last year. Today, people all over the nation are showing their support for our campaign, and I couldn't be more honored, grateful and hopeful for our future. Together, we will defeat Donald Trump. Together, we will rebuild America. Together, we will #GetItDone! pic.twitter.com/jMmIcKExTv — Mike Bloomberg (@MikeBloomberg) January 11, 2020 × "Number one priority is to get rid of Donald Trump. I'm spending all my money to get rid of Trump," Bloomberg told reporters aboard his campaign bus on Saturday, during a nearly 300-mile (483-km) drive across Texas, one of the 14 states that will vote on Super Tuesday on March 3. "Do you want me to spend more or less? End of story." US Senator Elizabeth Warren, one of the leading Democratic presidential contenders who has vowed to get money out of politics, blasted Bloomberg when he launched his campaign with a $37-million TV advertising blitz, accusing the former New York City mayor of trying to buy American democracy. "These are just political things they say, hoping they catch on and they don't like me doing it, because it competes with them, not because it's bad policy," Bloomberg said. After entering the race late and missing the first six Democratic debates, Bloomberg generally sits fifth in national public opinion polls behind Joe Biden, Bernie Sanders, Warren and Pete Buttigieg. But not just the two liberal standard-bearers of Warren and Sanders, all of the four are too liberal to beat Trump, Bloomberg said. "One of the reasons I'm reasonably confident I could beat Trump is I would be acceptable to the moderate Republicans you have to have," said Bloomberg, a former Republican who made his fortune selling financial information to Wall Street firms. "Whether you like it or not, you can’t win the election unless you get moderate Republicans to cross the line. The others are much too liberal for them and they would certainly vote for Donald Trump." After a late entry into the race, he is skipping the first four Democratic nomination contests in Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada and South Carolina all due to take place in February. Instead, Bloomberg is waging a nationwide campaign to capture delegates in later contests such as Texas, which will be the second-largest prize among the 14 Super Tuesday states. Thank you for spending part of your weekend with me, Austin! https://t.co/u8UidNtflR — Mike Bloomberg (@MikeBloomberg) January 11, 2020 × At campaign events in San Antonio, Austin and Dallas in Texas on Saturday, Bloomberg said his bipartisan nature made it more likely he could deliver on his pledges to expand health insurance coverage, fight climate change and reduce gun violence. While his speeches drew modest crowds of no more than a few hundred in Austin and fewer still in San Antonio, many who attended said they were independents or former Trump supporters who had learned about Bloomberg through his massive advertising campaign. "He’s better than Trump," said Marcelo Montemayor, 75, who listened to Bloomberg speak at a taco restaurant in San Antonio. Montemayor voted for Trump in 2016 but worries the president’s conservative appointees to federal courts could undermine abortion rights. Bloomberg's television ads have dominated the airwaves both nationwide and in Texas. Watch: Donald Trump Vs Michael Bloomberg: The battle of the millionaires × In the top four media markets in the Lone Star State, which include Houston and Dallas, Bloomberg has spent more than $15 million on television ads through mid-January, said Mark Jones, a political scientist at Houston's Rice University, who analyzed Federal Communications Commission records on ad buys. That exceeds the combined spending nationwide by Democratic frontrunners in 2019, according to a Wesleyan Media Project analysis of Kantar/CMAG television ad data through mid-December. And for this year's Super Bowl broadcast on February 2 in Miami, Trump and Bloomberg both plan to air a 60-second television commercial, a prime example of their ability to devote vast resources to reach millions of viewers. Trump campaign officials said the campaign paid $10 million for air time. Last year’s National Football League championship game drew nearly 100 million viewers. "You can't get to 330 million people by shaking hands. Television is still the magic medium," Bloomberg said. "If the Super Bowl wasn't a place to get to an awful lot of people they wouldn't be charging a lot, or nobody would be paying it. This is capitalism at work."

Democrat Michael Bloomberg: 'I'm spending all my money to get rid of Trump'

Billionaire presidential hopeful Michael Bloomberg and White House incumbent <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/all-is-well-so-far-so-good-says-trump-after-irans-missile-strikes-at-us-bases-in-iraq-272818">Donald Trump</a> will both be looking to score with millions of voters this <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/oscar-dates-shifted-in-2021-and-2022-for-olympics-super-bowl-226430">Super Bowl</a>.

The political rivals have each secured 60-second ad spots for next month's American football showpiece, commonly the most-watched US television broadcast every year.

About 100 million viewers are expected to tune in on Sunday, February 2 to see the NFL's 2019 champion crowned in Miami.

Providing they don't turn off during the breaks, they will also see Bloomberg tout his credentials to be the Democratic nominee to take on Trump in November.

"When the Trump campaign decided to run an ad during the big game, the Bloomberg campaign responded by buying a spot. Mike is taking the fight to Trump," Bloomberg spokesman Michael Frazier said in an email.

The announcement came shortly after the Politico website reported that Trump's re-election campaign had bought 60 seconds of ad time for the football final.

Frazier did not specify the cost of Bloomberg's 60-second primetime slot but experts say a single 30-second ad goes for about $5.6 million, or around $10 million for double that.

The rival ads will come on the eve of the first Democratic primary in Iowa on February 3 and just a few weeks before "Super Tuesday," which will see more than a dozen states vote.

Ex-New York mayor <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/michael-bloomberg-registers-committee-in-anticipation-of-white-house-run-263771">Bloomberg</a>, one of the world's richest men, has already bought more than $100 million of advertising space since he announced his candidacy in November.

Bloomberg has not entered the early primaries and is banking on a big performance on "Super Tuesday" &nbsp;scheduled for March 3.

The 77-year-old centrist currently sits fifth in national polls for the Democratic nomination. He trails frontrunner Joe Biden, left-wingers Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren and fellow moderate Pete Buttigieg.

Last week, Trump's campaign and the Republican Party announced they had raised $463 million in 2019, nearly double what Barack Obama's campaign had before his re-election in 2012.

Billionaire presidential hopeful Michael Bloomberg and White House incumbent Donald Trump will both be looking to score with millions of voters this Super Bowl. The political rivals have each secured 60-second ad spots for next month's American football showpiece, commonly the most-watched US television broadcast every year.

Billionaire presidential hopeful Michael Bloomberg and White House incumbent Donald Trump will both be looking to score with millions of voters this Super Bowl. The political rivals have each secured 60-second ad spots for next month's American football showpiece, commonly the most-watched US television broadcast every year. About 100 million viewers are expected to tune in on Sunday, February 2 to see the NFL's 2019 champion crowned in Miami. Providing they don't turn off during the breaks, they will also see Bloomberg tout his credentials to be the Democratic nominee to take on Trump in November. "When the Trump campaign decided to run an ad during the big game, the Bloomberg campaign responded by buying a spot. Mike is taking the fight to Trump," Bloomberg spokesman Michael Frazier said in an email. The announcement came shortly after the Politico website reported that Trump's re-election campaign had bought 60 seconds of ad time for the football final. Frazier did not specify the cost of Bloomberg's 60-second primetime slot but experts say a single 30-second ad goes for about $5.6 million, or around $10 million for double that. The rival ads will come on the eve of the first Democratic primary in Iowa on February 3 and just a few weeks before "Super Tuesday," which will see more than a dozen states vote. Ex-New York mayor Bloomberg, one of the world's richest men, has already bought more than $100 million of advertising space since he announced his candidacy in November. Bloomberg has not entered the early primaries and is banking on a big performance on "Super Tuesday" scheduled for March 3. The 77-year-old centrist currently sits fifth in national polls for the Democratic nomination. He trails frontrunner Joe Biden, left-wingers Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren and fellow moderate Pete Buttigieg. Last week, Trump's campaign and the Republican Party announced they had raised $463 million in 2019, nearly double what Barack Obama's campaign had before his re-election in 2012.

Bloomberg, Trump to air dueling Super Bowl ads

US&nbsp;presidential&nbsp;candidate&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-impeachment-row-us-senate-in-stalemate-over-how-to-proceed-272003">Joe&nbsp;Biden</a> on Sunday won the support of&nbsp;three&nbsp;politicians who helped&nbsp;Democrats&nbsp;seize control of the House of Representatives in 2018, endorsements that could help bolster arguments he is best positioned to fend off Republicans this year.

The&nbsp;backing by Democratic US&nbsp;Representatives Elaine Luria of Virginia and Chrissy Houlahan and Conor Lamb of Pennsylvania is evidence of support for&nbsp;Biden among&nbsp;Democrats&nbsp;in "swing"&nbsp;districts that were held by Republicans before the 2018 vote.

If&nbsp;Democrats&nbsp;push the wrong message or candidate during the&nbsp;presidential&nbsp;race, those&nbsp;districts could flip to Republicans.

All&nbsp;three&nbsp;of the lawmakers served in the US&nbsp;military and could help draw attention to&nbsp;Biden's&nbsp;foreign policy experience as a longtime senator and one-time vice president.

Foreign policy has been thrust into the 2020 race by Republican President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/should-iran-strike-us-will-quickly-strike-back-says-trump-272374">Donald Trump's</a> decision to kill Iranian military commander Qassem Soleimani with an airstrike on Friday that sharply escalated tensions between the two countries.

Biden, 77, tells voters his experience would be a key asset as president, while his competitors often say voters are looking for something new and focus on aspects of his record they see falling short.

"Joe&nbsp;Biden is 'battle-tested' on the world stage, in Congress, and in the White House," Luria said in a statement released by&nbsp;Biden's&nbsp;campaign. "He will defeat Donald Trump and win in tough&nbsp;districts like mine."

Biden is the front-runner in national public opinion polls among&nbsp;Democrats&nbsp;seeking to face Trump in November's&nbsp;presidential&nbsp;election. Voters will also be casting ballots for members of the House, as well as many Senate seats.

Before facing voters in the general election,&nbsp;Biden first needs to win his party's nomination in primaries taking place state-by-state starting next month, and he faces a tough race.

Opinion polls from the very first states that will weigh in, Iowa and New Hampshire, suggest&nbsp;Biden might lose both contests to Senators <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/from-joe-biden-to-donald-trump-music-choices-help-rally-supporters-269653">Bernie Sanders</a> and <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/democratic-candidate-warren-discloses-details-of-past-legal-work-showing-2-million-in-compensation-267187">Elizabeth Warren</a> or former South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg.

Biden has increasingly been arguing that he is best positioned to help vulnerable&nbsp;Democrats&nbsp;win tough elections.

He was recently endorsed by another 2018&nbsp;swing-district&nbsp;House Democrat, Abby Finkenauer of Iowa.

US presidential candidate Joe Biden on Sunday won the support of three politicians who helped Democrats seize control of the House of Representatives in 2018, endorsements that could help bolster arguments he is best positioned to fend off Republicans this year.

US presidential candidate Joe Biden on Sunday won the support of three politicians who helped Democrats seize control of the House of Representatives in 2018, endorsements that could help bolster arguments he is best positioned to fend off Republicans this year. The backing by Democratic US Representatives Elaine Luria of Virginia and Chrissy Houlahan and Conor Lamb of Pennsylvania is evidence of support for Biden among Democrats in "swing" districts that were held by Republicans before the 2018 vote. If Democrats push the wrong message or candidate during the presidential race, those districts could flip to Republicans. All three of the lawmakers served in the US military and could help draw attention to Biden's foreign policy experience as a longtime senator and one-time vice president. Foreign policy has been thrust into the 2020 race by Republican President Donald Trump's decision to kill Iranian military commander Qassem Soleimani with an airstrike on Friday that sharply escalated tensions between the two countries. Biden, 77, tells voters his experience would be a key asset as president, while his competitors often say voters are looking for something new and focus on aspects of his record they see falling short. "Joe Biden is 'battle-tested' on the world stage, in Congress, and in the White House," Luria said in a statement released by Biden's campaign. "He will defeat Donald Trump and win in tough districts like mine." Biden is the front-runner in national public opinion polls among Democrats seeking to face Trump in November's presidential election. Voters will also be casting ballots for members of the House, as well as many Senate seats. Before facing voters in the general election, Biden first needs to win his party's nomination in primaries taking place state-by-state starting next month, and he faces a tough race. Opinion polls from the very first states that will weigh in, Iowa and New Hampshire, suggest Biden might lose both contests to Senators Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren or former South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg. Biden has increasingly been arguing that he is best positioned to help vulnerable Democrats win tough elections. He was recently endorsed by another 2018 swing-district House Democrat, Abby Finkenauer of Iowa.

Three swing-state Democrats back for Joe Biden's presidential bid

The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-impeachment-row-us-senate-in-stalemate-over-how-to-proceed-272003">White&nbsp;House</a>&nbsp;sent to Congress on Saturday&nbsp;formal&nbsp;notification of Friday's US&nbsp;drone&nbsp;strike&nbsp;that killed a top Iranian general,&nbsp;amid&nbsp;complaints&nbsp;from&nbsp;Democrats&nbsp;that President Donald Trump did not notify&nbsp;lawmakers&nbsp;or seek advance approval for the attack.

The US&nbsp;strike&nbsp;that killed Iranian military commander <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-will-respond-to-soleimani-killing-any-time-in-any-manner-foreign-minister-zarif-272013">Qassem Soleimani</a> in&nbsp;Iraq&nbsp;has caused a dramatic rise in tensions between Iran and the United States and its allies.

The classified notification was sent under a 1973 US&nbsp;law called the War Powers Act, which requires the administration to notify Congress within 48 hours of committing armed forces to military action or imminent actions.

White&nbsp;House&nbsp;national security adviser <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/north-korean-leader-kim-jong-un-calls-for-positive-offensive-measures-to-ensure-safety-270976">Robert O'Brien</a> confirmed the&nbsp;notice&nbsp;had been sent and told Fox News on Saturday there were numerous legal grounds for the attack. He said Justice Department lawyers had signed off on the plan.

"This was an absolute legal operation," O'Brien said. "We feel very good about the legal basis for this military operation."

House&nbsp;of Representatives Speaker <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/treasurys-mnuchin-to-head-us-delegation-to-davos-conclave-271625">Nancy Pelosi</a>, a Democrat, said it raised more questions than it answered.

"This document prompts serious and urgent questions about the timing, manner and justification of the Administration's decision to engage in hostilities against Iran," Pelosi said in a statement.

She said the "highly unusual" decision to classify the entire document compounded her concerns and "suggests that the Congress and the American people are being left in the dark about our national security."

A senior Democratic aide described the notification as "brief and insufficient."

In the notification, Trump's administration was expected to have explained the circumstances, the authority under which the action was taken and the expected scope and duration of the military involvement. The&nbsp;White&nbsp;House&nbsp;declined to comment.

Senator <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/uk-labour-party-must-talk-values-to-win-back-the-asian-community-270978">Bernie Sanders</a>, a contender for the Democratic nomination to run against Trump in November's presidential election, said on Saturday that Congress must take immediate steps to restrain the president "from&nbsp;plunging our nation into yet another endless war."

Senator Elizabeth Warren, another Democratic presidential candidate, told reporters on Saturday that Trump has taken the United States "to the brink of war" and called his actions "reckless. He evidently has no plan."

Pelosi has said the&nbsp;strike&nbsp;in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-to-target-52-iranian-sites-if-americans-are-attacked-donald-trump-272166">Baghdad</a> was conducted without specific authorization&nbsp;from&nbsp;Congress and "without the consultation of the Congress."

On Saturday she described the administration's military engagement as "provocative, escalatory and disproportionate" and said it put US&nbsp;citizens, troops and their allies in danger.

The Pentagon on Friday briefed staff members&nbsp;from&nbsp;the&nbsp;House&nbsp;Armed Services Committee and Senate Armed Services Committee on the attack.

On Friday, Democratic US&nbsp;Senator Tim Kaine introduced a resolution to force a debate and vote in Congress to prevent further escalation of hostilities with Iran.

Republicans in Congress have generally backed Trump's action. Senate Majority Leader <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/treasurys-mnuchin-to-head-us-delegation-to-davos-conclave-271625">Mitch McConnell</a> said on Friday that "no man alive was more directly responsible for the deaths of more American service members than Qassem Soleimani."

The White House sent to Congress on Saturday formal notification of Friday's US drone strike that killed a top Iranian general, amid complaints from Democrats that President Donald Trump did not notify lawmakers or seek advance approval for the attack.

The White House sent to Congress on Saturday formal notification of Friday's US drone strike that killed a top Iranian general, amid complaints from Democrats that President Donald Trump did not notify lawmakers or seek advance approval for the attack. The US strike that killed Iranian military commander Qassem Soleimani in Iraq has caused a dramatic rise in tensions between Iran and the United States and its allies. The classified notification was sent under a 1973 US law called the War Powers Act, which requires the administration to notify Congress within 48 hours of committing armed forces to military action or imminent actions. White House national security adviser Robert O'Brien confirmed the notice had been sent and told Fox News on Saturday there were numerous legal grounds for the attack. He said Justice Department lawyers had signed off on the plan. "This was an absolute legal operation," O'Brien said. "We feel very good about the legal basis for this military operation." House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi, a Democrat, said it raised more questions than it answered. "This document prompts serious and urgent questions about the timing, manner and justification of the Administration's decision to engage in hostilities against Iran," Pelosi said in a statement. She said the "highly unusual" decision to classify the entire document compounded her concerns and "suggests that the Congress and the American people are being left in the dark about our national security." A senior Democratic aide described the notification as "brief and insufficient." In the notification, Trump's administration was expected to have explained the circumstances, the authority under which the action was taken and the expected scope and duration of the military involvement. The White House declined to comment. Senator Bernie Sanders, a contender for the Democratic nomination to run against Trump in November's presidential election, said on Saturday that Congress must take immediate steps to restrain the president "from plunging our nation into yet another endless war." Senator Elizabeth Warren, another Democratic presidential candidate, told reporters on Saturday that Trump has taken the United States "to the brink of war" and called his actions "reckless. He evidently has no plan." Pelosi has said the strike in Baghdad was conducted without specific authorization from Congress and "without the consultation of the Congress." On Saturday she described the administration's military engagement as "provocative, escalatory and disproportionate" and said it put US citizens, troops and their allies in danger. The Pentagon on Friday briefed staff members from the House Armed Services Committee and Senate Armed Services Committee on the attack. On Friday, Democratic US Senator Tim Kaine introduced a resolution to force a debate and vote in Congress to prevent further escalation of hostilities with Iran. Republicans in Congress have generally backed Trump's action. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said on Friday that "no man alive was more directly responsible for the deaths of more American service members than Qassem Soleimani."

White House gives lawmakers formal notice of Iraq strike amid complaints from Democrats

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/elizabeth-warren-and-bernie-sanders-defend-progressive-policies-in-us-democratic-debate-239616">Bernie Sanders</a> raised more than $34.5 million in the last quarter of 2019, the largest three-month haul for a 2020 <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/big-democratic-field-taking-shape-for-2020-us-presidential-race-213249">Democratic presidential candidate</a>, while Republican President Donald Trump drew $46 million on the heels of his impeachment, their campaigns said on Thursday.

Former Vice President Joe Biden announced on Thursday that his campaign raised $22.7 million in the same period, up from the $15.2 million he brought in the previous three months.

The new figures took Sanders' total campaign fundraising last year to $96 million, making him the leading fundraiser so far among 14 Democrats vying to face Trump in November's presidential election. States begin choosing candidates next month with the Iowa Caucuses on February&nbsp;3.

Trump, a polarizing president popular with a large majority of Republicans but vilified by many Democrats, maintained his <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/from-joe-biden-to-donald-trump-music-choices-help-rally-supporters-269653">formidable fundraising edge</a> over Democrats with a surge of donations following his impeachment last month by the Democratic-led House of Representatives.

"Democrats and the media have been in a sham impeachment frenzy and the president's campaign only got bigger and stronger with our best fundraising quarter this cycle," his campaign manager, Brad Parscale, said in a statement.

The Trump campaign's latest quarter eclipsed a third-quarter fundraising haul of nearly $41 million.

Biden's campaign pointed to continued attacks by Trump as the reason for his uptick in fundraising.

"These numbers clearly demonstrate Donald Trump's lies and attacks on the vice president have only cemented and expanded his support, serving as a constant reminder to Democratic primary voters that Trump is terrified by the idea of facing Joe Biden in a general election," Greg Schultz, Biden's campaign manager, said.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/biden-may-consider-obama-as-supreme-court-judge-if-he-becomes-president-271019">Biden</a>, despite continuing to lead most national public opinion polls, had lacklustre fundraising totals after the third quarter. His $22.7 million in the fourth quarter is likely to keep him competitive with rivals.

Pete Buttigieg raised $24.7 million in the fourth quarter, a hefty total expected to land him among the top fundraisers in the Democratic field. Businessman Andrew Yang raised $16.5 million, well over the nearly $10 million he took in previous quarter.

The other candidates, including Senator <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/democratic-candidate-warren-discloses-details-of-past-legal-work-showing-2-million-in-compensation-267187">Elizabeth Warren</a>, who currently remains in the top tier of hopefuls, have not released their latest figures.

Sanders, a US&nbsp;senator from Vermont who wants to reduce the sway of corporate America and economic inequality, has built his campaign on small donations, largely through online fundraising from an ethnically diverse, mostly young coalition of supporters.

Campaign manager Faiz Shakir said Sanders' "grassroots movement" showed he was the best placed candidate to defeat Trump.

"He&nbsp;is proving each and every day that working class Americans are ready and willing to fully fund a campaign that stands up for them and takes on the biggest corporations and the wealthy," Shakir said in a statement.

Sanders, 78, bounced back from a heart attack in early October to win growing support for his platform of expanding government-run healthcare, making college free, and investment in renewable energy paid for with higher taxes on the wealthy.

Two billionaires in the Democratic race, Tom Steyer and Michael Bloomberg, are relying on their own money to fund their campaigns but have not released latest funding figures.

Watch: Donald Trump vs Michael Bloomberg - The battle of the millionaires

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/donald-trump-vs-michael-bloomberg-the-battle-of-the-millionaires-265992/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

Bloomberg has spent more than $76 million on television ads since November&nbsp;16, while Biden, Warren, Sanders and Buttigieg have spent a combined $13.2 million all year, according to an analysis by the Wesleyan Media Project citing Kantar/CMAG political ad data.

The New York media mogul, who only entered the race in November, has outspent Steyer, who has put more than $72 million into TV ads this year.

Bernie Sanders raised more than $34.5 million in the last quarter of 2019, the largest three-month haul for a 2020 Democratic presidential candidate, while Republican President Donald Trump drew $46 million on the heels of his impeachment, their campaigns said on Thursday.

Bernie Sanders raised more than $34.5 million in the last quarter of 2019, the largest three-month haul for a 2020 Democratic presidential candidate, while Republican President Donald Trump drew $46 million on the heels of his impeachment, their campaigns said on Thursday. Former Vice President Joe Biden announced on Thursday that his campaign raised $22.7 million in the same period, up from the $15.2 million he brought in the previous three months. The new figures took Sanders' total campaign fundraising last year to $96 million, making him the leading fundraiser so far among 14 Democrats vying to face Trump in November's presidential election. States begin choosing candidates next month with the Iowa Caucuses on February 3. Trump, a polarizing president popular with a large majority of Republicans but vilified by many Democrats, maintained his formidable fundraising edge over Democrats with a surge of donations following his impeachment last month by the Democratic-led House of Representatives. "Democrats and the media have been in a sham impeachment frenzy and the president's campaign only got bigger and stronger with our best fundraising quarter this cycle," his campaign manager, Brad Parscale, said in a statement. The Trump campaign's latest quarter eclipsed a third-quarter fundraising haul of nearly $41 million. Biden's campaign pointed to continued attacks by Trump as the reason for his uptick in fundraising. "These numbers clearly demonstrate Donald Trump's lies and attacks on the vice president have only cemented and expanded his support, serving as a constant reminder to Democratic primary voters that Trump is terrified by the idea of facing Joe Biden in a general election," Greg Schultz, Biden's campaign manager, said. Biden, despite continuing to lead most national public opinion polls, had lacklustre fundraising totals after the third quarter. His $22.7 million in the fourth quarter is likely to keep him competitive with rivals. Pete Buttigieg raised $24.7 million in the fourth quarter, a hefty total expected to land him among the top fundraisers in the Democratic field. Businessman Andrew Yang raised $16.5 million, well over the nearly $10 million he took in previous quarter. The other candidates, including Senator Elizabeth Warren, who currently remains in the top tier of hopefuls, have not released their latest figures. Sanders, a US senator from Vermont who wants to reduce the sway of corporate America and economic inequality, has built his campaign on small donations, largely through online fundraising from an ethnically diverse, mostly young coalition of supporters. Campaign manager Faiz Shakir said Sanders' "grassroots movement" showed he was the best placed candidate to defeat Trump. "He is proving each and every day that working class Americans are ready and willing to fully fund a campaign that stands up for them and takes on the biggest corporations and the wealthy," Shakir said in a statement. Sanders, 78, bounced back from a heart attack in early October to win growing support for his platform of expanding government-run healthcare, making college free, and investment in renewable energy paid for with higher taxes on the wealthy. Two billionaires in the Democratic race, Tom Steyer and Michael Bloomberg, are relying on their own money to fund their campaigns but have not released latest funding figures. Watch: Donald Trump vs Michael Bloomberg - The battle of the millionaires × Bloomberg has spent more than $76 million on television ads since November 16, while Biden, Warren, Sanders and Buttigieg have spent a combined $13.2 million all year, according to an analysis by the Wesleyan Media Project citing Kantar/CMAG political ad data. The New York media mogul, who only entered the race in November, has outspent Steyer, who has put more than $72 million into TV ads this year.

Happy New Year for Sanders, Trump in campaign fundraising hauls

Billionaire <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/michael-bloomberg-registers-committee-in-anticipation-of-white-house-run-263771">Michael Bloomberg</a>, a potential candidate for 2020 US election, is planning to launch a $31 million television advertising campaign on Monday.&nbsp;

As per ad tracking firm Advertising Analytics, Bloomberg has purchased a total of $31 million in advertising inserts, the largest sum ever spent by a US presidential candidate.&nbsp;

Bernie Sanders, one of the frontrunners in the presidential race, slammed the move in a tweet on Friday and stating he was "disgusted by the idea that Michael Bloomberg or any billionaire thinks they can circumvent the political process and spend tens of millions of dollars to buy elections".

He tweeted that if you can't build grassroot support for your candidacy than "you have no business running for president."&nbsp;

The amount exceeds the record $25 million spent by former US president Barack Obama in 2012 for his campaign and reflects the financial might of one of the richest men in the world.&nbsp;

Bloomberg, a former New York mayor from 2002 to 2013, registered on Thursday with the US Federal Election Commission, a step closer to running for US presidency.&nbsp;

Nearly two weeks ago, Bloomberg said that he was "close" to take a final call on whether to enter the crowded battleground of Democrats for 2020 presidency.&nbsp;

(with inputs from AFP)

Billionaire Michael Bloomberg, a potential candidate for 2020 US election, is planning to launch a $31 million television advertising campaign on Monday. As per ad tracking firm Advertising Analytics, Bloomberg has purchased a total of $31 million in advertising inserts, the largest sum ever spent by a US presidential candidate.

Billionaire Michael Bloomberg, a potential candidate for 2020 US election, is planning to launch a $31 million television advertising campaign on Monday. As per ad tracking firm Advertising Analytics, Bloomberg has purchased a total of $31 million in advertising inserts, the largest sum ever spent by a US presidential candidate. Bernie Sanders, one of the frontrunners in the presidential race, slammed the move in a tweet on Friday and stating he was "disgusted by the idea that Michael Bloomberg or any billionaire thinks they can circumvent the political process and spend tens of millions of dollars to buy elections". He tweeted that if you can't build grassroot support for your candidacy than "you have no business running for president." The amount exceeds the record $25 million spent by former US president Barack Obama in 2012 for his campaign and reflects the financial might of one of the richest men in the world. Bloomberg, a former New York mayor from 2002 to 2013, registered on Thursday with the US Federal Election Commission, a step closer to running for US presidency. Nearly two weeks ago, Bloomberg said that he was "close" to take a final call on whether to enter the crowded battleground of Democrats for 2020 presidency. (with inputs from AFP)

Potential US presidential candidate Michael Bloomberg spends record amount for TV ads

bernie-sanders

Bernie Sanders, News on Bernie Sanders, stories on Bernie Sanders, articles on Bernie Sanders, Bernie Sanders stories at Wion, Bernie Sanders news, Bernie Sanders latest news

bernie sanders