Sanders held strong, defending Medicare for All and joining in attacks on a flailing Michael Bloomberg in Las Vegas. Candidates turned their fire on each other as they looked to sharpen contrast and defend or improve their positions in the race. Bloomberg was left looking feckless in response to attacks from both Sanders and Elizabeth Warren, who savaged the former GOP mayor for the numerous sexual harassment allegations against him. His support for the NYPD’s stop and frisk policy he only disavowed just prior to entering the race.
Sanders meanwhile drew plaudits, including from former contender Andrew Yang, who tweeted that the performance had clearly cemented his frontrunner status. He successfully fended off establishment media questions about his health and Medicare for All, whilst sparring with Michael Bloomberg, who at one point labelled the democratic socialist a communist.