Tillis Goes On Offense As Opponents Feel The Bern
February 17th, 2020
“Tillis blasted his top Democratic Senate rivals for vowing to support their party’s nominee, even if it’s Sanders.” – Charlotte Observer
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – In case you missed it, during a press conference on Friday after casting his vote in the 2020 primary, Senator Thom Tillis blasted his Democratic opponents for vowing to back their party’s nominee for president – even if its socialist Bernie Sanders. The impact that the Democratic presidential primary is having on the North Carolina Senate race made news all across the state this weekend. Check out what they are saying below.
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Sanders visited NC riding high, but what would his nomination mean for other Democrats?
Brian Murphy
Raleigh News & Observer
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Even before Sanders’ rise, the Tillis campaign has attacked both Democratic challengers and said they are “determined to implement a radical, socialist agenda.”
“If Erica Smith believes people in North Carolina, and if Cal Cunningham believes people in North Carolina want Bernie Sanders and his liberal, progressive policies in place, then they need to be informed about it,” Tillis said in Cornelius after voting early. “… They will be soundly rejected in North Carolina.”
Both leading Democrats said they would back their party’s nominee.
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Days after New Hampshire, Sanders stumps in NC as Democrats’ latest front-runner
Jim Morrill, Trent Brown, and Tim Funk
Charlotte Observer
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At a news conference Friday, Republican Sen. Thom Tillis blasted his top Democratic Senate rivals for vowing to support their party’s nominee, even if it’s Sanders.
“If Erica Smith believes people in North Carolina, and if Cal Cunningham believes people in North Carolina want Bernie Sanders and his liberal, progressive policies in place, then they . . . will be soundly rejected in North Carolina,” Tillis told reporters in Cornelius.
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What Could a Sanders Nomination Mean for Down-Ballot Races in N.C.?
Kevin Frey
Spectrum
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In recent days, both Cal Cunningham and Erica Smith indicated they plan to back whoever their party’s nominee this fall.
Casting his primary ballot Friday, incumbent Sen. Thom Tillis, a Republican, took aim at his Democratic rivals, trying to tie them to Sanders.
“If Erica Smith believes people in North Carolina, if Cal Cuningham believes people in North Carolina want Bernie Sanders and his liberal progressive policies in place, then they need to be informed about it,” Tillis said.
Asked if he wants to see Sanders as the Democratic nominee, Tillis said that the particular Democratic candidate does not necessarily matter, arguing that they all have similar policy proposals — proposals that Tillis says are too far left for North Carolina.
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