4 Presidential Candidates Speak At Mpls. DNC Conference
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Minneapolis was center stage Friday for the Democrats in the 2016 presidential race.
The Democratic National Committee is holding its summer meeting downtown, where Hillary Clinton was mobbed by supporters.
She is not only the Democratic frontrunner, but a favorite among superdelegates. Clinton took the stage to condemn Republicans and their candidates.
"Their flamboyant frontrunner has grabbed a lot of attention lately. But if you look at everyone else's policies, they're pretty much the same. They're Trump without the pizazz, or the hair," Clinton said.
She was one of four Democratic candidates at the event, including former Rhode Island governor Lincoln Chaffee and former Maryland governor Martin O'Malley.
Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders brought his insurgent campaign to the DNC, denouncing Wall Street, big banks, the Koch Brothers and police brutality.
"When Wall Street collapsed because of their greed and illegal behavior, the American people bailed them out! Now it is their turn to help the middle class of this country," Sanders said.
While the Democrats rocked Minneapolis, Republicans ripped the DNC from their booth at the Minnesota State Fair.
"The growing field on the Democrat side is not because people are really interested in other candidates. It's really that Hillary Clinton is imploding in front of the American people," Minnesota GOP Party Chair Keith Downey said.
Another possible candidate casting a shadow in Minneapolis Friday was Vice President Joe Biden, who is considering jumping into the race.
A "Draft Biden" group was circulating among and meeting the superdelegates. Their message: Keep an open mind and consider Biden for president.
Clinton told reporters Friday that she is not focusing on the Biden factor, or changing her campaign in any way.
And Lincoln Chaffee had an interesting take, saying he will bet $2 that Biden gets into the race, resulting in a dead-locked convention.
