Tom Steyer Endorses Joe Biden, Says Former VP Will Have to Show How He Is 'More Progressive'
Former Vice President Joe Biden garnered more endorsements than Sen. Bernie Sanders (Vt.), and now he can add another one to his long list.
Billionaire and former presidential hopeful Tom Steyer officially announced his endorsement of Biden just a day after Sanders bowed out of the presidential race.
Steyer told Politico on Thursday that he believes Biden is going to have to show voters he “is more progressive than people understand him to be” regarding policy.
The billionaire also explained the issues Biden is going to have to focus on to gain momentum.
Steyer said of Biden garnering Sanders’ supporters, “There’s going to have to be a process to convert.”
“They have to be excited about the candidate — and I think that is something that is going to happen but the Biden campaign is going to have to reach out,” Steyer said.
He added, “They’re going to have to reach out on climate — and show Joe Biden understands how important stopping climate change is, understands environmental justice at its roots, which he does.”
Steyer tweeted his reaction to Sanders’ decision to suspend his campaign and expressed his support for Biden.
“Thanks to [Bernie Sanders’] leadership, a movement of young people is dedicated to changing our political system—and to changing our country for the better. I’m ready to work with Bernie to ensure that their voices are heard in November and that [Joe Biden] is our next president,” Steyer tweeted.
Thanks to @BernieSanders' leadership, a movement of young people is dedicated to changing our political system—and to changing our country for the better. I'm ready to work with Bernie to ensure that their voices are heard in November and that @JoeBiden is our next president.
— Tom Steyer (@TomSteyer) April 8, 2020
While Biden was slow to gain support, he quickly caught up to Sanders, ultimately leading on the delegate count and in endorsements.
Biden has 1,217 delegates while Sanders ended up with 914, as IJR previously reported.
Biden has more recently focused his attention on appealing to Sanders supporters. He suggested expanding Medicare and forgiving student loan debt for some, as IJR also reported.
Both Biden and Sanders have faced challenges on the campaign trail as the number of coronavirus cases continue to rise in the United States which forced them to hold virtual events and rallies.
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