cnbc--2020-02-21--As billionaires Bloomberg and Steyer burn through money, some 2020 Democrats run low on cash

As two billionaires pile staggering amounts of cash into their 2020 Democratic presidential campaigns , several of their rivals are burning through money much more quickly than they are raising it .
Former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg shelled out $ 220.6 million in January as he put $ 263.8 million of his own fortune into his presidential bid , outspending his opponents by a huge margin , according to Federal Election Commission records filed Thursday .
Liberal activist and former hedge fund manager Tom Steyer blew out the remainder of the field by piling nearly $ 65 million of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 52.9 million during the month of January .
Sen. Bernie Sanders , I-Vt. , led the nonbillionaire Democratic White House hopefuls in raising $ 25.2 million and finishing the month with $ 16.8 million in the bank .
Sen. Elizabeth Warren , D-Mass.
, took in about $ 11 million .
Former Vice President Joe Biden , former South Bend , Indiana , Mayor Pete Buttigieg and Sen. Amy Klobuchar , D-Minn. , followed with $ 8.9 million , $ 6.2 million and $ 5.5 million , respectively .
Some campaigns burned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ month before the primary nominating contests started .
The Buttigieg and Warren campaigns both spent at least twice what they raised — a cause for concern as the race moves toward March 3 .
On that day , the 14 Super Tuesday primaries will award more than a third of all pledged delegates .
Warren 's campaign even took out a $ 3 million loan , but only tapped into $ 400,000 of it in January .
The filings offer a snapshot of the contenders ' fundraising success and spending before Americans started @ @ @ @ @ @ @ New Hampshire earlier this month .
They do not capture the money candidates have raised or shelled out ahead of Saturday 's Nevada caucuses .
A handful of candidates — particularly Sanders , Klobuchar , Warren and Buttigieg — have said they saw fundraising boosts following the Iowa caucuses and the New Hampshire primary or the two primary debates this month .
Klobuchar and Warren apparently needed the cash injections : their campaigns had only $ 2.9 million and $ 2.3 million , respectively , in the bank at the end of January @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fundraiser among the Democratic White House hopefuls who do not have billions of their own dollars to spend on the race .
He appears to hold the strongest position in the race for the nomination .
The senator emerged from Iowa and New Hampshire about even with Buttigieg in the delegate count , and polls from Nevada and key Super Tuesday states California and Texas show him leading the field .
As Bloomberg 's staggering spending put him onto the debate stage and into the top tier of candidates in national polls , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him for trying to buy the election .
Bloomberg has said spending his own money means he does not have allegiances to any donors .
Of course , whoever emerges from the primary will have to contend with the powerful fundraising operation President Donald Trump has established ahead of his reelection bid .
The incumbent 's campaign ended January with $ 92.6 million in the bank .
Correction : A handful of candidates have said they saw fundraising boosts following the Iowa caucuses and the New Hampshire primary or the two primary debates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the contests .

Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) walks with members of Culinary Workers Union Local 226 on a picket line outside of Palms Casino Resort on February 19, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Mario Tama | Getty Images
As two billionaires pile staggering amounts of cash into their 2020 Democratic presidential campaigns, several of their rivals are burning through money much more quickly than they are raising it. Former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg shelled out $220.6 million in January as he put $263.8 million of his own fortune into his presidential bid, outspending his opponents by a huge margin, according to Federal Election Commission records filed Thursday. Liberal activist and former hedge fund manager Tom Steyer blew out the remainder of the field by piling nearly $65 million of his own into the race and spending $52.9 million during the month of January.
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Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., led the nonbillionaire Democratic White House hopefuls in raising $25.2 million and finishing the month with $16.8 million in the bank. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., took in about $11 million. Former Vice President Joe Biden, former South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg and Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., followed with $8.9 million, $6.2 million and $5.5 million, respectively.
Some campaigns burned cash at a rapid pace in the month before the primary nominating contests started. The Buttigieg and Warren campaigns both spent at least twice what they raised — a cause for concern as the race moves toward March 3. On that day, the 14 Super Tuesday primaries will award more than a third of all pledged delegates.
Warren's campaign even took out a $3 million loan, but only tapped into $400,000 of it in January. The filings offer a snapshot of the contenders' fundraising success and spending before Americans started picking the presidential nominee in Iowa and New Hampshire earlier this month. They do not capture the money candidates have raised or shelled out ahead of Saturday's Nevada caucuses.
A handful of candidates — particularly Sanders, Klobuchar, Warren and Buttigieg — have said they saw fundraising boosts following the Iowa caucuses and the New Hampshire primary or the two primary debates this month. Klobuchar and Warren apparently needed the cash injections: their campaigns had only $2.9 million and $2.3 million, respectively, in the bank at the end of January. Sanders has consistently proven the strongest fundraiser among the Democratic White House hopefuls who do not have billions of their own dollars to spend on the race. He appears to hold the strongest position in the race for the nomination. The senator emerged from Iowa and New Hampshire about even with Buttigieg in the delegate count, and polls from Nevada and key Super Tuesday states California and Texas show him leading the field.
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cnbc--2020-02-21--Despite US tariffs and Brexit concerns, French wine and spirits exports hit record high in 2019

Bottles of French Champagne sit in a cellar in Reims , France , on February 20 , 2020 .
PARIS — From Bordeaux to Cognac , French exporters hit a new record in 2019 despite a growing cloud of economic and geopolitical anxiety .
Overseas sales of wines and spirits — France 's second-biggest export after aerospace — rose 5.9 % to a record $ 15.3 billion , according to the latest figures from the Federation of French Wines and Spirit Exporters .
Sales to the United States , the largest export market for French wines and spirits , rose @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2019 .
The increase in sales , according to the industry group , was due to anticipation of heightened transatlantic trade tensions .
Last year , the Trump administration imposed 25 % duties on a plethora of European goods including French still wine , in response to aircraft subsidies .
Following those tariffs , the industry braced for another round of duties in retaliation for a French tax on digital services .
Those negotiations are ongoing , adding another layer of uncertainty .
`` The U.S. 25 % additional duties led to a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wine exports during the last 2019 quarter alone , with a €40 million [ $ 43 million ] loss of turnover , '' according to the industry groups ' report .
What 's more , negotiations related to Brexit , the United Kingdom 's exit from the European Union , resulted similarly in anticipated shipments .
Sales to the United Kingdom , the second-largest export market for French wine and spirits , rose by 4.4 % to approximately $ 1.5 billion .
Despite gains , the president of the French Association of Wines @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would be a difficult year for the industry .
`` The 2019 positive result must not be misinterpreted : international political environment and trade tensions had a severe effect on French wines and spirits exports , suggesting 2020 will be a challenging year , '' wrote Antoine Leccia in a statement .
`` The arbitrary sanctions that have affected our sector since Oct. 18 , [ 2019 ] threatens our development on the world 's leading market , which will have a heavy impact on exporting companies and , more broadly , on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' he added .
Meanwhile , in one of the world 's most celebrated wine regions , French Champagne saw a slight drop in exports amid a growing cloud of economic and geopolitical anxiety .
Champagne exports declined from 301.9 million bottles in 2018 to 297.5 million in 2019 , according to the latest figures published by the Comite Champagne , a trade association that represents growers and Champagne Houses .
The Comite Champagne cited the looming economic circumstances in the United Kingdom and the United States — the region 's top @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 1.6 % drop .
`` In a context of deep uncertainty in our two leading export markets and a worrying macroeconomic and geopolitical environment , these results demonstrate the remarkable resilience of the Champagne market , '' co-presidents of the Comite Champagne , Jean-Marie Barillere and Maxime Toubart , wrote in a joint statement .
Despite the dip in exports , the Comite Champagne estimates that the region brought in $ 5.4 billion in sales .
In 2018 , the United Kingdom accounted for 26.7 million bottles while the United States saw @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exports eclipsed domestic consumption for the second year in a row at 155.5 million bottles or 52.5 % of total production .
The French market accounted for 141.5 million bottles , which represents about a 4 % drop compared to the year before .

Bottles of French Champagne sit in a cellar in Reims, France, on February 20, 2020.
PARIS — From Bordeaux to Cognac, French exporters hit a new record in 2019 despite a growing cloud of economic and geopolitical anxiety.
Overseas sales of wines and spirits — France's second-biggest export after aerospace — rose 5.9% to a record $15.3 billion, according to the latest figures from the Federation of French Wines and Spirit Exporters.
Sales to the United States, the largest export market for French wines and spirits, rose 16% to $3.9 billion in 2019. The increase in sales, according to the industry group, was due to anticipation of heightened transatlantic trade tensions.
Last year, the Trump administration imposed 25% duties on a plethora of European goods including French still wine, in response to aircraft subsidies. Following those tariffs, the industry braced for another round of duties in retaliation for a French tax on digital services. Those negotiations are ongoing, adding another layer of uncertainty.
"The U.S. 25% additional duties led to a 17.5% decrease of French bottled still wine exports during the last 2019 quarter alone, with a €40 million [$43 million] loss of turnover," according to the industry groups' report.
What's more, negotiations related to Brexit, the United Kingdom's exit from the European Union, resulted similarly in anticipated shipments. Sales to the United Kingdom, the second-largest export market for French wine and spirits, rose by 4.4% to approximately $1.5 billion.
Despite gains, the president of the French Association of Wines and Spirits Exporters expressed concerns that 2020 would be a difficult year for the industry.
"The 2019 positive result must not be misinterpreted: international political environment and trade tensions had a severe effect on French wines and spirits exports, suggesting 2020 will be a challenging year," wrote Antoine Leccia in a statement.
"The arbitrary sanctions that have affected our sector since Oct. 18, [2019] threatens our development on the world's leading market, which will have a heavy impact on exporting companies and, more broadly, on the 500,000 players in the wine sector," he added.
Meanwhile, in one of the world's most celebrated wine regions, French Champagne saw a slight drop in exports amid a growing cloud of economic and geopolitical anxiety.
Champagne exports declined from 301.9 million bottles in 2018 to 297.5 million in 2019, according to the latest figures published by the Comite Champagne, a trade association that represents growers and Champagne Houses.
The Comite Champagne cited the looming economic circumstances in the United Kingdom and the United States — the region's top two export markets — as reasons for the 1.6% drop.
"In a context of deep uncertainty in our two leading export markets and a worrying macroeconomic and geopolitical environment, these results demonstrate the remarkable resilience of the Champagne market," co-presidents of the Comite Champagne, Jean-Marie Barillere and Maxime Toubart, wrote in a joint statement.
Despite the dip in exports, the Comite Champagne estimates that the region brought in $5.4 billion in sales.
In 2018, the United Kingdom accounted for 26.7 million bottles while the United States saw 23.7 million bottles.
Still, Champagne exports eclipsed domestic consumption for the second year in a row at 155.5 million bottles or 52.5% of total production. The French market accounted for 141.5 million bottles, which represents about a 4% drop compared to the year before.


cnbc--2020-02-21--Elizabeth Warren reverses her position on super PAC support as she seeks comeback

Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Elizabeth Warren ( D-MA ) greets supporters at a canvass kickoff event at one of her campaign offices on February 20 , 2020 in North Las Vegas , Nevada .
Nevada Democrats will hold their presidential caucuses on February 22 , the third nominating contest in the presidential primary season .
LAS VEGAS – Sen. Elizabeth Warren reversed her position on rejecting super PAC support on Thursday as she seeks a comeback in the Democratic presidential primary .
Warren , who has previously said that she would disavow the support of a super PAC that sought @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , told reporters that she had changed her mind after failing to get her rivals to join her in repudiating the outside spending groups .
The reversal is a dramatic change of heart for the Massachusetts progressive .
Warren boasted during the Democratic debate in New Hampshire earlier this month that only she and Sen. Amy Klobuchar lacked super PAC backers .
But , on Thursday , Warren said that the fact that only the `` two women '' did n't have super PAC support was `` just not right . ''
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ If all the candidates want to get rid of super PACs , count me in .
I 'll lead the charge , '' Warren said .
`` But that 's how it has to be .
It ca n't be the case that a bunch of people keep them and only one or two do n't . ''
A super PAC backing Klobuchar , called Kitchen Table Conversations , filed paperwork with the FEC on Friday .
`` So look , the first day I got in this race over a year ago @ @ @ @ @ @ @ candidate who comes in will agree – no super PACs for any of us .
I renewed that call dozens of times , '' Warren said .
`` And I could n't get a single Democrat to go along with it . ''
`` Finally , we reached the point a few weeks ago where all of the men who were still in this race and on the debate stage all had either super PACs or they were multibillionaires and could just rummage around their sock drawers and find enough money to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she said .

Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) greets supporters at a canvass kickoff event at one of her campaign offices on February 20, 2020 in North Las Vegas, Nevada. Nevada Democrats will hold their presidential caucuses on February 22, the third nominating contest in the presidential primary season.
LAS VEGAS – Sen. Elizabeth Warren reversed her position on rejecting super PAC support on Thursday as she seeks a comeback in the Democratic presidential primary.
Warren, who has previously said that she would disavow the support of a super PAC that sought to aid her bid for the presidency, told reporters that she had changed her mind after failing to get her rivals to join her in repudiating the outside spending groups.
The reversal is a dramatic change of heart for the Massachusetts progressive. Warren boasted during the Democratic debate in New Hampshire earlier this month that only she and Sen. Amy Klobuchar lacked super PAC backers.
But, on Thursday, Warren said that the fact that only the "two women" didn't have super PAC support was "just not right."
"So here's where I stand. If all the candidates want to get rid of super PACs, count me in. I'll lead the charge," Warren said. "But that's how it has to be. It can't be the case that a bunch of people keep them and only one or two don't."
A super PAC backing Klobuchar, called Kitchen Table Conversations, filed paperwork with the FEC on Friday.
"So look, the first day I got in this race over a year ago, I said I hope every presidential candidate who comes in will agree – no super PACs for any of us. I renewed that call dozens of times," Warren said. "And I couldn't get a single Democrat to go along with it."
"Finally, we reached the point a few weeks ago where all of the men who were still in this race and on the debate stage all had either super PACs or they were multibillionaires and could just rummage around their sock drawers and find enough money to be able to fund a campaign," she said.


cnbc--2020-02-22--Nevada Democratic caucus is too early to call as Sanders leads initial voting: NBC News

The Nevada Democratic presidential caucus is too early to call Saturday afternoon as entrance polls indicate Sen. Bernie Sanders has a significant lead in the initial round of voting , according to NBC News .
Nevada Democrats are choosing their presidential favorites in a test of whether 2020 White House hopefuls can extend early success — or earn enough support to even stay in the race .
Voters gathered to caucus at 3 p.m .
ET in the third nominating contest of this year 's Democratic primary .
Nevada awards 36 pledged national delegates proportionately , based on congressional district @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has drawn significant attention , and not only because voters of color get their first real chance to make their preference known this cycle .
Nevada has faced questions about whether it can report results smoothly , following the disastrous Iowa caucus earlier this month riddled with apparent technological and reporting errors .
After the presidential field winnowed in recent weeks , only seven Democrats still seeking the nomination were on the ballot in Nevada : Former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg , who has spent hundreds of millions of dollars on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ national polls , is not on the ballot .
Sanders , who left the Iowa caucuses and New Hampshire primary about even with Buttigieg in the national delegate race , led recent polls of Nevada .
His campaign hopes strength with young Latino voters can help to propel him to victory in the caucuses .
Speaking at a rally in El Paso , Texas , on Saturday , Sanders did not immediately address the early polling out of Nevada .
He instead made his case for why he can defeat President Donald Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and bringing people together is a lot more powerful than divisiveness , '' he said .
Buttigieg and Klobuchar , coming off top-three finishes in New Hampshire , hope to show they can have success in a state where voters of color make up a significant share of the electorate .
Meanwhile , Biden and Warren hope to inject life into once promising presidential campaigns .
The state Democratic Party has said roughly 75,000 people voted early in the caucuses .
They picked a favorite and at least two more candidates in case @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 15 % viability threshold needed in most precincts .
The state holds more than 2,000 precinct caucuses .
Nevada added early voting to the caucuses for the first time this year , which complicated data reporting .
Results came in later than in prior years as vote counters for the National Election Pool , a consortium of news organizations , reported confusion about vote counting rules or how to incorporate the early vote in at least six of the 63 locations where they are collecting data .
In a statement to NBC News @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said the caucuses were running `` smoothly , '' adding the party expects results `` soon . ''
Voters whose first choice does not meet the level of support needed can change preference after the initial round of caucusing .
About two-thirds , 65 % , of caucus voters are white , according to entrance polling data .
Another 19 % identified as Hispanic or Latino , while 10 % identified as black .
Sanders appeared to have a massive edge among Hispanic or Latino voters with roughly half of support , according @ @ @ @ @ @ @ smaller lead among black voters .
Sanders was the only viable candidate in at least one one heavily Hispanic precinct at the East Las Vegas Community Center .
At another , Sanders and Biden were the only candidates to hit the viability threshold .
Out of four issues — health care , climate change , income inequality and foreign policy — 43 % of voters chose health care as the most important topic they considered when deciding whom to support , according to entrance polls .
Another 26 % picked climate change .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , said they support replacing private insurance with a single government plan .
About a third , 35 % , said they oppose such a system .
Sanders backs a single-payer `` Medicare for All '' system , which led the powerful UNITE HERE Culinary Workers Union Local 226 in Las Vegas to criticize him .
The organization did not endorse one of his opponents , however .
Two thirds of voters consider themselves liberal , while 34 % identify as moderate or conservative , according to entrance surveys .
Sanders has a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ neck-and-neck with Biden among moderate or conservative voters .
This story is developing .
Please check back for updates .

Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., right, with his wife Jane, raises his hand as he speaks during a campaign event in San Antonio, Saturday, Feb. 22, 2020.
Sen. Bernie Sanders will win the Nevada Democratic caucus, NBC News projected Saturday, strengthening his early pole position in the race for the presidential nomination.
Nevada Democrats chose their presidential favorites in a test of whether 2020 White House hopefuls could extend early success — or earn enough support to even stay in the race.
Sanders will win at least 22 of the state's 36 pledged national delegates, according to NBC. Former Vice President Joe Biden will get at least seven, and Former South Bend, Ind. Mayor Pete Buttigieg will win at least three.
The Vermont senator had a wide lead in the share of county delegates won with 100% of results reported. No other candidate came near Sanders at about 47%.
Biden will finish second, followed by Buttigieg in third, according to NBC. Biden came in at about 20%, while Buttigieg trailed at roughly 14%. Biden, considered the front-runner early in the primary, has staked his hopes on next week's South Carolina primary, where strong support among black voters has fueled leads in most polls.
Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., trailed in fourth place with about 10% of county delegates.
Nevada, the third Democratic primary nominating state, allocates national delegates proportionally based on congressional district level and statewide results. Including their projected delegates from Nevada, Sanders leads Buttigieg 43 to 26 in the 2020 delegate race. Biden follows with 13.
The Buttigieg campaign on Sunday asked the Nevada Democratic Party to delay releasing final tallies as it alleged irregularities. The party responded that it would not change its reporting process.
Sanders, who has pledged to implement single-payer health care, cancel student debt, fight income inequality and take on what he calls corporate greed, saw the Nevada results as more evidence that his populist movement has gained traction around the country. Highlighting his agenda during a sweep through Texas on Saturday ahead of the state's March 3 primary, he predicted he would enjoy similar success nationwide.
"Let me thank the people of Nevada for their support," he told supporters in San Antonio. "In Nevada, we have just put together a multigenerational, multiracial coalition which is not only going to win in Nevada, it's going to sweep this country."


cnbc--2020-02-22--Nevada caucuses: Five things to watch as voting gets started

LAS VEGAS -- The third nominating contest of the Democratic presidential primary kicks off on Saturday with the Nevada caucuses .
Already , about 75,000 votes have been cast , according to state party officials .
But no results have been released , and observers are following the first-in-the-West caucus closely to gauge which candidates are likely to have a path to the nomination ahead of Super Tuesday in early March .
The caucus comes just days after the Democratic debate here , where former New York Mayor Mike Bloomberg came under fire from his rivals , led by Sen. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ skipping the first four states , will not be on the ballot .
Ahead of caucus day , Sen. Bernie Sanders led in state polls of Nevada , followed by former South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg and former Vice President Joe Biden , who are neck-and-neck , and then Warren , Sen. Amy Klobuchar , and the former hedge fund manager Tom Steyer .
The caucus will begin at noon local time , or 3 p.m .
ET .
Here are five things to watch as voting gets underway .
The Nevada Democratic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ avoid the stunning tech failure that doomed the Iowa caucuses earlier this month and marred the results of the first nominating contest .
The party scrapped plans to use an app from the same vendor that the Iowa Democrats used .
Instead , it has rolled out a `` calculator tool '' that officials say is easy to use .
The party has also boosted training and contracted with a professional call center to handle results as they roll in .
Even with those added precautions , the party 's foray into early @ @ @ @ @ @ @ complicate tabulations .
The national party chairman , Tom Perez , told the Associated Press on Tuesday that it 's not certain that Nevada will release its results on Saturday , though Democrats will aim to get results as as quickly as possible .
State party officials have said that they intend to release results Saturday .
Read more : Nevada Democrats are trying to avoid repeating the Iowa caucus debacle — here 's how Minority voters will finally have a say in the nomination The first two states to have a say @ @ @ @ @ @ @ New Hampshire -- two states that are overwhelmingly non-Hispanic white .
Not so in Nevada , where Latino and black voters both form substantial portions of the electorate .
Last cycle , Latino voters accounted for nearly one in five Democratic voters .
Early voting this year is expected to boost turnout among minority populations , too , particularly among those who work in the states 's hotel and casino industry and other sectors where making it out to a traditional caucus can be difficult .
The state will test candidates like Buttigieg @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , have struggled to win over voters of color .
And it could provide a boon to Sanders , who has counted on young Latino voters to give him an edge in the race .
Read more : Bernie Sanders looks to young Latinos for edge in Nevada caucuses Biden aims for comeback with second place finish The former vice president appeared to be coasting to the nomination until this month , when he plunged in the polls following disappointing showings in Iowa and New Hampshire .
Biden 's campaign has said it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in order to get back on track .
`` First would be wonderful , but us getting a second place I think does the work that we need to do to win South Carolina , '' campaign manager Greg Schultz said on Feb. 14 , according to The New York Times .
Other candidates are also hoping that a surprising finish in Nevada could bolster their bids .
Perhaps more than the others , Warren is aiming to revitalize her campaign after Sanders 's ascendance threatened to lock her out of the party @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can say is we are just getting started , '' Warren said at a raucous campaign event in Las Vegas on Thursday .
Read more : Several Joe Biden fundraisers jump ship from his struggling campaign to back Mike Bloomberg One big uncertainty looms ahead of caucusing : What will be the impact of the state 's four days of early voting ?
Already , it appears that it is likely to boost turnout .
The state party has said that about 75,000 individuals have already cast their ballots in Nevada , before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ comparison , about 84,000 Democrats caucused in 2016 .
Generally speaking , the complicated nature of the caucus process skews the electorate toward older , whiter voters .
Early voting is expected to make the electorate more reflective of the diversity of the state .
Until results come in , though , no one really knows , because Nevada has not done this before .

Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) speaks during a campaign rally at University of Nevada February 18, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Alex Wong | Getty Images
LAS VEGAS -- The third nominating contest of the Democratic presidential primary kicks off on Saturday with the Nevada caucuses. Already, about 75,000 votes have been cast, according to state party officials. But no results have been released, and observers are following the first-in-the-West caucus closely to gauge which candidates are likely to have a path to the nomination ahead of Super Tuesday in early March. The caucus comes just days after the Democratic debate here, where former New York Mayor Mike Bloomberg came under fire from his rivals, led by Sen. Elizabeth Warren. Bloomberg, who's skipping the first four states, will not be on the ballot. Ahead of caucus day, Sen. Bernie Sanders led in state polls of Nevada, followed by former South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg and former Vice President Joe Biden, who are neck-and-neck, and then Warren, Sen. Amy Klobuchar, and the former hedge fund manager Tom Steyer. The caucus will begin at noon local time, or 3 p.m. ET. Here are five things to watch as voting gets underway.
Nevada Democrats under scrutiny after Iowa debacle
The Nevada Democratic Party is doing everything it can to avoid the stunning tech failure that doomed the Iowa caucuses earlier this month and marred the results of the first nominating contest. The party scrapped plans to use an app from the same vendor that the Iowa Democrats used. Instead, it has rolled out a "calculator tool" that officials say is easy to use. The party has also boosted training and contracted with a professional call center to handle results as they roll in. Even with those added precautions, the party's foray into early voting and predictions of high turnout could complicate tabulations. The national party chairman, Tom Perez, told the Associated Press on Tuesday that it's not certain that Nevada will release its results on Saturday, though Democrats will aim to get results as as quickly as possible. State party officials have said that they intend to release results Saturday. Read more: Nevada Democrats are trying to avoid repeating the Iowa caucus debacle — here's how
Minority voters will finally have a say in the nomination
The first two states to have a say in the Democratic nomination were Iowa and New Hampshire -- two states that are overwhelmingly non-Hispanic white. Not so in Nevada, where Latino and black voters both form substantial portions of the electorate. Last cycle, Latino voters accounted for nearly one in five Democratic voters. Early voting this year is expected to boost turnout among minority populations, too, particularly among those who work in the states's hotel and casino industry and other sectors where making it out to a traditional caucus can be difficult. The state will test candidates like Buttigieg and Klobuchar, who, to date, have struggled to win over voters of color. And it could provide a boon to Sanders, who has counted on young Latino voters to give him an edge in the race. Read more: Bernie Sanders looks to young Latinos for edge in Nevada caucuses
Biden aims for comeback with second place finish
The former vice president appeared to be coasting to the nomination until this month, when he plunged in the polls following disappointing showings in Iowa and New Hampshire. Biden's campaign has said it is aiming for a second place finish in order to get back on track. "First would be wonderful, but us getting a second place I think does the work that we need to do to win South Carolina," campaign manager Greg Schultz said on Feb. 14, according to The New York Times. Other candidates are also hoping that a surprising finish in Nevada could bolster their bids. Perhaps more than the others, Warren is aiming to revitalize her campaign after Sanders's ascendance threatened to lock her out of the party's progressive base. "All I can say is we are just getting started," Warren said at a raucous campaign event in Las Vegas on Thursday. Read more: Several Joe Biden fundraisers jump ship from his struggling campaign to back Mike Bloomberg
Early voting points to exceptionally high turnout
One big uncertainty looms ahead of caucusing: What will be the impact of the state's four days of early voting? Already, it appears that it is likely to boost turnout. The state party has said that about 75,000 individuals have already cast their ballots in Nevada, before regular voting has even begun. In comparison, about 84,000 Democrats caucused in 2016. Generally speaking, the complicated nature of the caucus process skews the electorate toward older, whiter voters. Early voting is expected to make the electorate more reflective of the diversity of the state. Until results come in, though, no one really knows, because Nevada has not done this before.
Union voters could be key


cnbc--2020-02-22--Bernie Sanders looks to young Latinos for edge in Nevada caucuses

Bellagio hotel workers hold Bernie placards before casting their votes during the Nevada caucuses to nominate a Democratic presidential candidate at the Bellagio Hotel in Las Vegas , Nevada February 22 , 2020 .
The minority-focused , youth vote strategy has been public for months , even years .
But a day before regular voting begins , the impression from the ground is that it 's working , possibly even better than expected -- as long as the young voters make it to the polls .
Winning Nevada , particularly if he does it with the bulk of the Latino @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as it seeks to consolidate support in the delegate-rich March states .
Some of the most important of those states , like Texas and California , also have large Latino populations .
More than half of early voters , like Barajas Vasquez , were caucusing for the first time .
No results will be released until at least Saturday , but Sanders organizers are bullish about the high-enthusiasm for early voting .
Sanders has long said that his success will rise or fall with turnout .
`` At first I was looking at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vibed with Sanders more , '' Barajas Vasquez said .
`` He seems to be very outspoken , which is a thing I am very big about .
I do n't think that we should stay silent when it comes to , like he says , political revolutions .
I think the stances that he takes most directly affect me . ''
Barajas Vasquez , whose birthday was this month , is also one of the young Hispanic voters whom Sanders has for months been counting on to deliver him the edge he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the first Democratic nominating contest to take place in a state with a substantial minority population .
Barajas Vasquez was one of the estimated 75,000 voters who cast a ballot in Nevada during the state Democratic party 's first-ever experiment with early voting , which was conducted over four days ending Tuesday .
`` That 's why we went early voting and volunteering on Tuesday , '' Barajas Vasquez said Friday during an interview in her government classroom at Del Sol , a public high school in Clark County .
LAS VEGAS — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sanders supporter , has been having some trouble convincing her classmates to vote in the Democratic caucuses here on Saturday .
So , she said , she 's started offering to buy them some food if they go .
`` I hope you all see the play now , '' Nina Turner , the campaign 's national co-chair , said during a get-out-the-vote event Friday at the campaign 's field office in East Las Vegas , a Latino-dominated area .
`` Because the senator is kicking butt . ''
Sanders dominates in national @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the race among Hispanic voters .
In Nevada , where one in five Democratic voters in 2016 were Hispanic , the group skews young and has been growing , giving him an extra boost .
In another demonstration of support , Sanders also snagged more campaign cash from Latino contributors last year than any other candidate , at $ 8.3 million , according to an analysis of disclosure data conducted by the technology firm Plus Three .
Experts and activists have provided a variety of reasons for Sanders 's success with Latino voters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of strategy and message .
`` In Nevada , he worked very closely with local community organizations , hired people from the neighborhoods where there was high Latino density , to make sure the campaign had the feeling , the cultural relevancy , the language , the connection with people that would invite folks who have never really seen themselves reflected in politics , '' said Ana Maria Archila , a progressive activist and the co-executive director of the Center for Popular Democracy , in an interview .
Even some critics acknowledge that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not seen any of the other campaigns even remotely doing as well as Bernie Sanders with Latinos , '' said Moe Vela , a Democratic strategist and former advisor to Joe Biden .
`` That said , it breaks my heart as a Latino who has fought for our community nationally in my two White House tenures , '' said Vela , a former advisor on Hispanic issues to then-Vice President Al Gore .
Vela said he has not committed yet to any candidate this cycle , but criticized what he called the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public services .
Vela cautioned against reading too much into what a victory among Latinos in Nevada could mean for Sanders 's chances in Texas and California , Latino-rich states that together account for more than a quarter of the delegates needed to win the nomination .
`` Clearly , as people will see on Saturday , they will see it has been effective in Nevada , '' Vela said .
`` Will it be as effective with Latinos in California and Texas ?
Honestly , you have a much more multi-generational electorate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Martinez , the deputy vice president of policy and advocacy at the national Latino advocacy group UnidosUS , said in a phone interview from Texas that there are `` two ways to look at this . ''
`` The Latino community is a very diverse community , indeed it is not a monolith , '' Martinez said .
`` But we also know from our experience as a 50-year-old Latino organization , and having a network of nearly 300 community-based organizations across the country , that there is a great deal of affinity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
Martinez noted , by way of an example , that Latino voters in Nevada , Florida and Texas consistently identified the same top three priorities , jobs and the economy , health care and immigration .
Sanders is forecast to win the most delegates in California and Texas , according to an analysis from the data website FiveThirtyEight .
The website predicts that former New York Mayor Mike Bloomberg will take the most votes in Florida , with Sanders in second place .
Organizers are quick to say that the only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Election Day .
And , for success there , one final hurdle for Sanders in Nevada will be making sure that enough young Latino voters turn out to vote .
`` What we know about caucuses is that the people who show up are unencumbered , '' said Rebecca Gill , a professor of political science at the University of Nevada Las Vegas .
`` They might not have kids -- they certainly do not have young kids .
They tend to be older , they tend to be white , and they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Vasquez , the high schooler , noted that many of her friends are also intimidated by the complicated-seeming caucuses process itself .
`` It 's funny when you 're super involved with something and then you go out and you speak to your friends about it and they are not as involved as you are , '' she said .
`` It 's so weird because something like that can take such a big impact on your life , and then to see somebody else not being as involved with it , it @ @ @ @

Bellagio hotel workers hold Bernie placards before casting their votes during the Nevada caucuses to nominate a Democratic presidential candidate at the Bellagio Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada February 22, 2020.
The minority-focused, youth vote strategy has been public for months, even years. But a day before regular voting begins, the impression from the ground is that it's working, possibly even better than expected -- as long as the young voters make it to the polls.
Winning Nevada, particularly if he does it with the bulk of the Latino vote, could propel the campaign forward as it seeks to consolidate support in the delegate-rich March states. Some of the most important of those states, like Texas and California, also have large Latino populations.
More than half of early voters, like Barajas Vasquez, were caucusing for the first time. No results will be released until at least Saturday, but Sanders organizers are bullish about the high-enthusiasm for early voting. Sanders has long said that his success will rise or fall with turnout.
"At first I was looking at Warren, but I guess I just vibed with Sanders more," Barajas Vasquez said. "He seems to be very outspoken, which is a thing I am very big about. I don't think that we should stay silent when it comes to, like he says, political revolutions. I think the stances that he takes most directly affect me."
Barajas Vasquez, whose birthday was this month, is also one of the young Hispanic voters whom Sanders has for months been counting on to deliver him the edge he needs to beat his rivals decisively in the first Democratic nominating contest to take place in a state with a substantial minority population.
Barajas Vasquez was one of the estimated 75,000 voters who cast a ballot in Nevada during the state Democratic party's first-ever experiment with early voting, which was conducted over four days ending Tuesday.
"That's why we went early voting and volunteering on Tuesday," Barajas Vasquez said Friday during an interview in her government classroom at Del Sol, a public high school in Clark County.
LAS VEGAS — Elizabeth Barajas Vasquez, an 18-year-old Bernie Sanders supporter, has been having some trouble convincing her classmates to vote in the Democratic caucuses here on Saturday. So, she said, she's started offering to buy them some food if they go.
"I hope you all see the play now," Nina Turner, the campaign's national co-chair, said during a get-out-the-vote event Friday at the campaign's field office in East Las Vegas, a Latino-dominated area. "Because the senator is kicking butt."
Sanders dominates in national polling of those under 45-years-old and leads the race among Hispanic voters. In Nevada, where one in five Democratic voters in 2016 were Hispanic, the group skews young and has been growing, giving him an extra boost.
In another demonstration of support, Sanders also snagged more campaign cash from Latino contributors last year than any other candidate, at $8.3 million, according to an analysis of disclosure data conducted by the technology firm Plus Three.
Experts and activists have provided a variety of reasons for Sanders's success with Latino voters, generally attributing it to a combination of strategy and message.
"In Nevada, he worked very closely with local community organizations, hired people from the neighborhoods where there was high Latino density, to make sure the campaign had the feeling, the cultural relevancy, the language, the connection with people that would invite folks who have never really seen themselves reflected in politics," said Ana Maria Archila, a progressive activist and the co-executive director of the Center for Popular Democracy, in an interview.
Even some critics acknowledge that it's working.
"I have not seen any of the other campaigns even remotely doing as well as Bernie Sanders with Latinos," said Moe Vela, a Democratic strategist and former advisor to Joe Biden.
"That said, it breaks my heart as a Latino who has fought for our community nationally in my two White House tenures," said Vela, a former advisor on Hispanic issues to then-Vice President Al Gore. Vela said he has not committed yet to any candidate this cycle, but criticized what he called the "Sanders gimmick" of offering free public services.
Vela cautioned against reading too much into what a victory among Latinos in Nevada could mean for Sanders's chances in Texas and California, Latino-rich states that together account for more than a quarter of the delegates needed to win the nomination.
"Clearly, as people will see on Saturday, they will see it has been effective in Nevada," Vela said. "Will it be as effective with Latinos in California and Texas? Honestly, you have a much more multi-generational electorate in those states."
But Clarissa Martinez, the deputy vice president of policy and advocacy at the national Latino advocacy group UnidosUS, said in a phone interview from Texas that there are "two ways to look at this."
"The Latino community is a very diverse community, indeed it is not a monolith," Martinez said. "But we also know from our experience as a 50-year-old Latino organization, and having a network of nearly 300 community-based organizations across the country, that there is a great deal of affinity among Latinos on a series of issues."
Martinez noted, by way of an example, that Latino voters in Nevada, Florida and Texas consistently identified the same top three priorities, jobs and the economy, health care and immigration.
Sanders is forecast to win the most delegates in California and Texas, according to an analysis from the data website FiveThirtyEight. The website predicts that former New York Mayor Mike Bloomberg will take the most votes in Florida, with Sanders in second place.
Organizers are quick to say that the only poll that matters is the one on Election Day. And, for success there, one final hurdle for Sanders in Nevada will be making sure that enough young Latino voters turn out to vote.
"What we know about caucuses is that the people who show up are unencumbered," said Rebecca Gill, a professor of political science at the University of Nevada Las Vegas. "They might not have kids -- they certainly do not have young kids. They tend to be older, they tend to be white, and they tend to be wealthier."
Barajas Vasquez, the high schooler, noted that many of her friends are also intimidated by the complicated-seeming caucuses process itself.
"It's funny when you're super involved with something and then you go out and you speak to your friends about it and they are not as involved as you are," she said. "It's so weird because something like that can take such a big impact on your life, and then to see somebody else not being as involved with it, it's weird."


cnbc--2020-02-23--Bernie Sanders will win the Nevada caucus, NBC News projects, cementing his front-runner status

Sen. Bernie Sanders will win the Nevada Democratic caucus , NBC News projected Saturday , strengthening his early pole position in the race for the presidential nomination .
Nevada Democrats chose their presidential favorites in a test of whether 2020 White House hopefuls could extend early success — or earn enough support to even stay in the race .
Sanders will win at least 13 of the state 's 36 pledged national delegates , according to NBC .
He will likely earn more as early returns showed the senator had a wide lead in the share of county delegates won @ @ @ @ @ @ @ former South Bend , Ind .
Mayor Pete Buttigieg looked to be jostling for second place .
Biden , considered the front-runner early in the primary , has staked his hopes on next week 's South Carolina primary , where strong support among black voters has fueled leads in most polls .
Nevada , the third Democratic primary nominating state , allocates national delegates proportionally based on congressional district level and statewide results .
Including the first 13 projected delegates from Nevada , Sanders leads Buttigieg 34 to 23 in the 2020 delegate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to implement single-payer health care , cancel student debt , fight income inequality and take on what he calls corporate greed , saw the Nevada results as more evidence that his populist movement has gained traction around the country .
Highlighting his agenda during a sweep through Texas on Saturday ahead of the state 's March 3 primary , he predicted he would enjoy similar success nationwide .
`` Let me thank the people of Nevada for their support , '' he told supporters in San Antonio .
`` In Nevada , we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ multiracial coalition which is not only going to win in Nevada , it 's going to sweep this country . ''
Nevada has drawn significant attention , and not only because voters of color got their first real chance to make their preference known this cycle .
Nevada faced questions about whether it could report results smoothly , following the disastrous Iowa caucus earlier this month riddled with apparent technological and reporting errors .
After the presidential field winnowed in recent weeks , only seven Democrats still seeking the nomination were on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ City Mayor Michael Bloomberg , who has spent hundreds of millions of dollars on his way to top-three showings in multiple national polls , is not on the ballot .
Sanders , who left the Iowa caucuses and New Hampshire primary about even with Buttigieg in the national delegate race , led recent polls of Nevada .
His campaign hoped strength with young Latino voters would propel him to victory in the caucuses and in the Super Tuesday prizes of California and Texas .
Buttigieg and Klobuchar , coming off top-three finishes in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can have success in a state where voters of color make up a significant share of the electorate .
Buttigieg spent much of his remarks to supporters Saturday night targeting Sanders .
He cast himself as the best option not only to defeat Trump but also to boost Democratic congressional candidates in November .
`` Sen. Sanders believes in an inflexible , ideological revolution that leaves out most Democrats , not to mention most Americans , '' the former mayor said .
He highlighted the fact that he is the only Democratic hopeful @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of state delegate equivalents in Iowa ) .
Meanwhile , Biden and Warren aimed to inject life into once promising presidential campaigns .
The former vice president argued his Nevada finish will put him back on the path to the nomination .
`` We 're alive , and we 're going to come back , and we 're going to win , '' he told supporters on Saturday .
The state Democratic Party has said roughly 75,000 people voted early in the caucuses .
They picked a favorite and at least two more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not meet the 15 % viability threshold needed in most precincts .
The state holds more than 2,000 precinct caucuses .
Voters whose first choice did not meet the level of support needed could change preference after the initial round of caucusing .
Nevada added early voting to the caucuses for the first time this year , which complicated data reporting .
Results came in later than in prior years as vote counters for the National Election Pool , a consortium of news organizations , reported confusion about vote counting rules or how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ least six of the 63 locations where they were collecting data .
In a statement to NBC News on Saturday afternoon , Nevada Democratic Party spokeswoman Molly Forgey said the caucuses were running `` smoothly . ''
About two-thirds , 65 % , of caucus voters were white , according to entrance polling data .
Another 19 % identified as Hispanic or Latino , while 10 % identified as black .
Sanders appeared to have a massive edge among Hispanic or Latino voters with roughly half of support , according to entrance polls @ @ @ @ @ @ @ black voters .
Sanders was the only viable candidate in at least one one heavily Hispanic precinct at the East Las Vegas Community Center .
At another , Sanders and Biden were the only candidates to hit the viability threshold .
Out of four issues — health care , climate change , income inequality and foreign policy — 43 % of voters chose health care as the most important topic they considered when deciding whom to support , according to entrance polls .
Another 26 % picked climate change .
More than six-in-ten @ @ @ @ @ @ @ support replacing private insurance with a single government plan .
About a third , 35 % , said they oppose such a system .
Sanders backs a single-payer `` Medicare for All '' system , which led the powerful UNITE HERE Culinary Workers Union Local 226 in Las Vegas to criticize him .
The organization did not endorse one of his opponents , however .
Two thirds of voters consider themselves liberal , while 34 % identify as moderate or conservative , according to entrance surveys .
Sanders has a significant lead among @ @ @ @ @ @ @ among moderate or conservative voters .
This story is developing .
Please check back for updates .


cnbc--2020-02-23--Buttigieg campaign calls on Nevada Democrats to address alleged irregularities in caucuses

Democratic presidential candidate former South Bend , Indiana Mayor Pete Buttigieg speaks at a Get out the Caucus rally at Faiss Middle School February 21 , 2020 in Las Vegas , Nevada .
Nevada holds its presidential caucus tomorrow .
Pete Buttigieg 's presidential campaign has asked the Nevada State Democratic Party to hold off on releasing final tallies from Saturday 's caucuses , alleging a slew of errors in the process of reporting the results .
In a letter sent to Nevada Democratic Party Chairman William McCurdy II , the campaign requested the party release early vote and in-person @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vote and second alignment errors , and explain `` anomalies '' in the data .
Nevada State Democratic Party spokeswoman Molly Forgey said Sunday morning that the party is continuing to verify and report results , and would not change the reporting process .
`` We never indicated we would release a separate breakdown of early vote and in-person attendees by precinct and will not change our reporting process now , '' she said .
`` As laid out in our recount guidance , there is a formal method for requesting a challenge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ third place in Nevada after about 60 % of precincts had reported as of Sunday morning .
He is hovering at the 15 % threshold needed to take delegates from Nevada to the national convention .
Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders is the projected winner Saturday night by a large margin , effectively cementing his early front-runner status .
Former Vice President Joe Biden followed up in second place .
The presidential campaigns are still waiting on data from the final day of early voting in the state .
The state Democratic Party said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ early-voting period , which Forgey said `` brought thousands of new voters into the process but also added another layer to the caucus math . ''
`` Given how close the race is between second and third place , we ask that you take these steps before releasing any final data , '' Buttigieg 's national ballot access and delegate director Michael Gaffney wrote in the letter .
Hari Sevugan , Buttigieg 's deputy campaign manager , said the campaign 's internal numbers showed a `` razor thin margin for second place in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and a number of unresolved questions we have raised with the Nevada Democratic Party , it 's unclear what the final results will be , '' he said .
It 's unclear how quickly Nevada Democrats will be able to confirm and release the final results .
Nevada has faced questions about whether it could report results accurately following the disastrous Iowa caucus earlier this month that was plagued with technological and reporting errors .
The results from the Iowa caucuses are still unresolved .
Sanders left the Iowa caucuses and New Hampshire @ @ @ @ @ @ @ national delegate race .

Democratic presidential candidate former South Bend, Indiana Mayor Pete Buttigieg speaks at a Get out the Caucus rally at Faiss Middle School February 21, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Nevada holds its presidential caucus tomorrow.
Pete Buttigieg's presidential campaign has asked the Nevada State Democratic Party to hold off on releasing final tallies from Saturday's caucuses, alleging a slew of errors in the process of reporting the results.
In a letter sent to Nevada Democratic Party Chairman William McCurdy II, the campaign requested the party release early vote and in-person vote totals by precinct, correct early vote and second alignment errors, and explain "anomalies" in the data.
Nevada State Democratic Party spokeswoman Molly Forgey said Sunday morning that the party is continuing to verify and report results, and would not change the reporting process.
"We never indicated we would release a separate breakdown of early vote and in-person attendees by precinct and will not change our reporting process now," she said. "As laid out in our recount guidance, there is a formal method for requesting a challenge of results."
Buttigieg is in third place in Nevada after about 60% of precincts had reported as of Sunday morning. He is hovering at the 15% threshold needed to take delegates from Nevada to the national convention.
Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders is the projected winner Saturday night by a large margin, effectively cementing his early front-runner status. Former Vice President Joe Biden followed up in second place.
The presidential campaigns are still waiting on data from the final day of early voting in the state. The state Democratic Party said roughly 75,000 people voted in the four-day early-voting period, which Forgey said "brought thousands of new voters into the process but also added another layer to the caucus math."
"Given how close the race is between second and third place, we ask that you take these steps before releasing any final data," Buttigieg's national ballot access and delegate director Michael Gaffney wrote in the letter.
Hari Sevugan, Buttigieg's deputy campaign manager, said the campaign's internal numbers showed a "razor thin margin for second place in Nevada."
"Due to irregularities and a number of unresolved questions we have raised with the Nevada Democratic Party, it's unclear what the final results will be," he said.
It's unclear how quickly Nevada Democrats will be able to confirm and release the final results. Nevada has faced questions about whether it could report results accurately following the disastrous Iowa caucus earlier this month that was plagued with technological and reporting errors.
The results from the Iowa caucuses are still unresolved. Sanders left the Iowa caucuses and New Hampshire primary roughly even with Buttigieg in the national delegate race.


cnbc--2020-02-23--Biden, Buttigieg and Bloomberg take shots at projected Nevada caucus winner Bernie Sanders

Democratic presidential candidate former Vice President Joe Biden walks on stage to speak during a Nevada caucus day event at IBEW Local 357 on February 22 , 2020 in Las Vegas , Nevada .
Democratic presidential candidates wasted no time taking shots at Sen. Bernie Sanders on Saturday , after Sanders cemented his lead in the 2020 primary with a projected win in the Nevada caucus .
Two candidates , former South Bend , Ind.
, Mayor Pete Buttigieg and former Vice President Joe Biden , slammed Sanders well before the final results had been announced , as their campaigns @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Buttigieg , who edged out Sanders in the first-in-the-nation Iowa caucus and came in a close second in New Hampshire 's primary , attacked the 78-year-old democrat socialist at length in a speech to his supporters in Las Vegas .
`` Senator Sanders believes in an inflexible , ideological revolution that leaves out most Democrats , not to mention most Americans , '' Buttigieg said .
`` Ours is the only campaign who has beaten Senator Sanders anywhere in the country this campaign cycle , '' Buttigieg added .
Buttigieg also stressed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can help elect Democrats down the ballot in 2020 .
Democrats , he said , need to nominate a candidate who `` gives a damn about the effect you 're having from the top of the ticket . ''
Sanders has shown `` willingness to ignore or dismiss , or even attack the very Democrats that we absolutely must send to Capitol Hill , '' Buttigieg said .
Biden , meanwhile , took a swipe at Sanders less directly , by referencing The Washington Post 's recent report that Russia is attempting to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its efforts to meddle in the 2020 election .
`` We 're going to have more help from Vladimir Putin , who wants somebody he does n't think can beat Trump , '' Biden said at his own campaign event in Vegas on Saturday .
Sanders has denounced the Kremlin 's reported attempts to meddle , once again , in a U.S. presidential contest .
Biden took another veiled jab at Sanders , as well as former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg , who has dumped hundreds of millions of dollars into his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 'm a Democrat for a simple reason .
I ai n't a socialist , I ai n't a plutocrat , I 'm a Democrat .
I 'm a Democrat , okay .
And I 'm proud of it , '' Biden said .
He explained that he is a Democrat because he believes that `` everybody just deserves a shot . ''
Bloomberg 's campaign was not competing in the Nevada contest — but it nevertheless issued a statement warning that selecting Sanders as the Democratic nominee would be a `` fatal error @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not extend beyond his narrow base .
`` We are going to need Independents AND Republicans to defeat Trump – attacking your own party is no way to get started , '' the Bloomberg campaign said in a statement .
`` As Mike says , if we choose a candidate who appeals to a small base – like Senator Sanders – it will be a fatal error . ''
For most of the Democratic field , the Nevada caucus became a fight for second place long before the first projections showed Sanders clinching @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
By about 9 p.m .
ET , early results appeared to show Biden and Buttigieg vying for the no .
2 spot , while Sen. Elizabeth Warren , D-Mass.
, looked to be in fourth place .
Biden 's campaign manager Greg Schultz tweeted Saturday evening that , `` based on our internal data , Biden will come in a strong second tonight in Nevada . ''
`` Make no mistake : The Biden comeback starts tonight in Nevada , '' Schultz tweeted .
Biden , once seen as the top Democrat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2020 , underwhelmed in the first two primary contests in Iowa and New Hampshire .
Biden 's campaign is banking that the stronger showing in Nevada will help propel him to a win in South Carolina 's primary next week .
`` The press is ready to declare people dead quickly , but we 're alive and we 're coming back and we 're going to win , '' Biden said .
But Michael Halle , a Buttigieg campaign strategist , pushed back on Schultz 's claim that Biden clinched second place in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 're seeing , '' Halle tweeted in reply to Schultz , adding a link to the Buttigieg campaign 's internal caucus data .
Sanders , who for weeks has led the field in national polls , was widely expected to win in Nevada .
He won the majority of support from Latino voters and voters under 45 in Nevada , according to entrance polls of the caucus .
He is on track to win more of Nevada 's 36 electoral delegates than any of the six other Democrats competing in the caucus .

Democratic presidential candidate former Vice President Joe Biden walks on stage to speak during a Nevada caucus day event at IBEW Local 357 on February 22, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Democratic presidential candidates wasted no time taking shots at Sen. Bernie Sanders on Saturday, after Sanders cemented his lead in the 2020 primary with a projected win in the Nevada caucus.
Two candidates, former South Bend, Ind., Mayor Pete Buttigieg and former Vice President Joe Biden, slammed Sanders well before the final results had been announced, as their campaigns bickered about who came in second place. Eventually, NBC News projected that Biden came in second and Buttigieg third.
Buttigieg, who edged out Sanders in the first-in-the-nation Iowa caucus and came in a close second in New Hampshire's primary, attacked the 78-year-old democrat socialist at length in a speech to his supporters in Las Vegas.
"Senator Sanders believes in an inflexible, ideological revolution that leaves out most Democrats, not to mention most Americans," Buttigieg said.
"Ours is the only campaign who has beaten Senator Sanders anywhere in the country this campaign cycle," Buttigieg added.
Buttigieg also stressed the importance of nominating a candidate who can help elect Democrats down the ballot in 2020.
Democrats, he said, need to nominate a candidate who "gives a damn about the effect you're having from the top of the ticket."
Sanders has shown "willingness to ignore or dismiss, or even attack the very Democrats that we absolutely must send to Capitol Hill," Buttigieg said.
Biden, meanwhile, took a swipe at Sanders less directly, by referencing The Washington Post's recent report that Russia is attempting to boost Sanders' campaign as part of its efforts to meddle in the 2020 election.
"We're going to have more help from Vladimir Putin, who wants somebody he doesn't think can beat Trump," Biden said at his own campaign event in Vegas on Saturday.
Sanders has denounced the Kremlin's reported attempts to meddle, once again, in a U.S. presidential contest.
Biden took another veiled jab at Sanders, as well as former New York Mayor Mike Bloomberg, a billionaire who has dumped hundreds of millions of dollars into his campaign.
"You know, I'm a Democrat for a simple reason. I ain't a socialist, I ain't a plutocrat, I'm a Democrat. I'm a Democrat, okay. And I'm proud of it," Biden said. He explained that he is a Democrat because he believes that "everybody just deserves a shot."
Bloomberg's campaign was not competing in the Nevada contest — but it nevertheless issued a statement warning that selecting Sanders as the Democratic nominee would be a "fatal error," arguing that his appeal does not extend beyond his narrow base.
"We are going to need Independents AND Republicans to defeat Trump – attacking your own party is no way to get started," the Bloomberg campaign said in a statement.
"As Mike says, if we choose a candidate who appeals to a small base – like Senator Sanders – it will be a fatal error."
For most of the Democratic field, the Nevada caucus became a fight for second place long before the first projections showed Sanders clinching the top spot by a wide margin.
By about 9 p.m. ET Saturday, early results appeared to show Biden and Buttigieg vying for the no. 2 spot, while Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., looked to be in fourth place.
Biden's campaign manager Greg Schultz tweeted Saturday evening that, "based on our internal data, Biden will come in a strong second tonight in Nevada."
"Make no mistake: The Biden comeback starts tonight in Nevada," Schultz tweeted.
Schultz TWEET
Biden, once seen as the top Democrat in the race to defeat Trump in 2020, underwhelmed in the first two primary contests in Iowa and New Hampshire. Biden's campaign is banking that the stronger showing in Nevada will help propel him to a win in South Carolina's primary next week.
"The press is ready to declare people dead quickly, but we're alive and we're coming back and we're going to win," Biden said.
But Michael Halle, a Buttigieg campaign strategist, pushed back on Schultz's claim that Biden clinched second place in Nevada.
"Not from what we're seeing," Halle tweeted in reply to Schultz, adding a link to the Buttigieg campaign's internal caucus data.
Halle TWEET
Sanders, who for weeks has led the field in national polls, was widely expected to win in Nevada. He won the majority of support from Latino voters and voters under 45 in Nevada, according to entrance polls of the caucus.
He is on track to win more of Nevada's 36 electoral delegates than any of the six other Democrats competing in the caucus.


cnbc--2020-02-23--Sanders' 'very, very different' economic plan no match for Trump's, Mnuchin claims

US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin attends a session at the Congres center during the World Economic Forum ( WEF ) annual meeting in Davos , on January 21 , 2020 .
Bernie Sanders ' `` very , very different '' economic plan is unlikely to triumph over President Donald Trump 's if he wins the Democratic Party presidential nomination , according to U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin .
Sanders emerged victorious in the `` first in the west '' Democratic caucus in Nevada on Saturday , cementing his position as the front-runner to take on Trump in November .
Based @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democrats appear to have given Sanders a resounding victory in the third primary nominating state , with former Vice President Joe Biden and former South Bend mayor Pete Buttigieg jostling for second place .
`` I think the president is in pretty good shape no matter who he runs against , '' Mnuchin told CNBC 's Hadley Gamble at a G-20 summit in Riyadh , Saudi Arabia , on Sunday .
`` I would say in the case of Bernie , there are two very , very different economic plans , and I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public like the Trump economic plan and they 're seeing that every day . ''

US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin attends a session at the Congres center during the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting in Davos, on January 21, 2020.
Bernie Sanders' "very, very different" economic plan is unlikely to triumph over President Donald Trump's if he wins the Democratic Party presidential nomination, according to U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin.
Sanders emerged victorious in the "first in the west" Democratic caucus in Nevada on Saturday, cementing his position as the front-runner to take on Trump in November.
Based on the most recent polling, Nevada Democrats appear to have given Sanders a resounding victory in the third primary nominating state, with former Vice President Joe Biden and former South Bend mayor Pete Buttigieg jostling for second place.
"I think the president is in pretty good shape no matter who he runs against," Mnuchin told CNBC's Hadley Gamble at a G-20 summit in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Sunday.
"I would say in the case of Bernie, there are two very, very different economic plans, and I think there is no question the American public like the Trump economic plan and they're seeing that every day."


cnbc--2020-02-23--Op-Ed: Bernie Sanders is the front-runner because of how we raised our kids

People cheer as Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders ( I-VT ) arrives onstage during a campaign event at the Whittemore Center Arena on February 10 , 2020 in Durham , New Hampshire .
With his convincing victory in Saturday 's Nevada caucuses , Sen. Bernie Sanders is solidifying his status as the front-runner for the Democratic presidential nomination more than ever before .
So how did a life-long avowed socialist and someone who 's never actually won an election as a Democrat get to the top of the party 's mountain ?
The simple answer is that he 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ voters , and those voters have been raised to be Sanders voters , even if their parents do n't realize it .
We convinced everyone college was 100 % necessary , and then we made college unaffordable .
Since the end of World War II , the chorus of educators , politicians , and journalists making it sound like college was essential for career success only became louder and drowned out any counterargument .
At the same time , college tuition costs have exploded thanks greatly to government programs that produced unintended , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 1978 when more loans and subsidies became available to a greatly expanded number of students .
The cost of college tuition has risen by six times more than the rate of inflation since the 1970s .
Now , millions of American young people are straddled with college loans that look impossible to repay .
The total student loan debt in the U.S. now stands at more than $ 1.6 trillion .
Is it any wonder so many of them are attracted to a candidate who not only promises to forgive their student @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the result of corporate greed and misplaced government priorities ?
Luckily for Sanders , young voters supporting him for his college tuition forgiveness promises do n't seem to be too interested in his own family history .
His wife Jane Sanders was president of the now defunct Burlington College and she and other administrators were reportedly the subjects of a long-running FBI probe that they misled bank loan officers about the real number of donations pledged to the college .
The FBI probe of the matter ended in 2018 , and Jane Sanders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she oversaw , which included pushing for major campus expansions , were indicative of some of the root causes of increased college costs in America .
The establishment in both parties ignored young voters .
As sacred as our politicians make college education sound , it 's nothing compared to the way leaders from both parties talk about programs for older Americans like Social Security and Medicare .
None of that is a mystery , as older Americans have always been more likely to vote .
Even though voters aged 18-29 have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , senior citizens still stand atop the heap .
In 2016 , 71 % of Americans 65 and older voted compared to just 46 % of 18-29-year-olds .
In the 2018 midterms , that gap narrowed to 66 % to 36 % , but it 's still a wide gap .
All of this focus on older voters and their retirement funds is a nice sentiment but it 's misplaced .
Older Americans are n't just doing okay .
A 2017 study of age-based wealth in the U.S. shows that a typical household @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has 47 times the net worth of a household headed by younger Americans .
Yep , Papa and Granny are loaded .
Now , helping older people who happen to be poor or on the margins of poverty is something different .
But the cultural assumption many of us have about elderly folks needing more financial help in America is pretty much the opposite of the truth .
Throw in the Affordable Care Act , which literally and foolishly leaned on younger and healthier Americans to foot the bill for covering older and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pattern here .
Sanders talks plenty about Social Security , and he 's obviously a senior citizen himself .
But he usually expands his campaign promises to include younger people , as he did when he took the lead on the Medicare for All promise in 2017 .
We told them America 's house was on fire .
For all the policy differences and political minutiae Democrats delve into when criticizing President Trump , the most enduring attacks on Trump from the Democratic establishment remain accusations that Trump is supporting white supremacy and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
These are over-the-top accusations , and it 's hard to accept that even most elected Democrats actually believe them .
But pushing that message on America for the last three-plus years comes at a price for both sides .
For the Democrats , the price is becoming clear : it 's made moderate presidential candidates look less viable than ever .
Think about it : if you really believe the president is a traitor and supporting violent plots against non-white Americans , is this really the time to support mainstream Democrat or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ career politician , but he 's never been a mainstream politician .
His persona and political brand fits much better into the current Democratic narrative that we 're living in desperate times .
Establishment Democrats are reaping what they sowed .
As a result , it 's looking more and more like Sanders has unstoppable momentum going into the Super Tuesday primaries and beyond .
The big question now is whether that Democratic establishment will try to derail Sanders before or during the Democratic National Convention .
But either way , the party @ @ @ @ @ @ @ alienating those younger voters forever .
Jake Novak is a political and economic analyst at Jake Novak News and former CNBC TV producer .
You can follow him on Twitter @ jakejakeny .

People cheer as Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) arrives onstage during a campaign event at the Whittemore Center Arena on February 10, 2020 in Durham, New Hampshire.
With his convincing victory in Saturday's Nevada caucuses, Sen. Bernie Sanders is solidifying his status as the front-runner for the Democratic presidential nomination more than ever before.
So how did a life-long avowed socialist and someone who's never actually won an election as a Democrat get to the top of the party's mountain?
The simple answer is that he's being supported by millions of younger Democratic voters, and those voters have been raised to be Sanders voters, even if their parents don't realize it.
Here's how it happened:
We convinced everyone college was 100% necessary, and then we made college unaffordable. Since the end of World War II, the chorus of educators, politicians, and journalists making it sound like college was essential for career success only became louder and drowned out any counterargument.
At the same time, college tuition costs have exploded thanks greatly to government programs that produced unintended, but predictable consequences. It mostly started in 1978 when more loans and subsidies became available to a greatly expanded number of students. The cost of college tuition has risen by six times more than the rate of inflation since the 1970s.
Now, millions of American young people are straddled with college loans that look impossible to repay. The total student loan debt in the U.S. now stands at more than $1.6 trillion.
Is it any wonder so many of them are attracted to a candidate who not only promises to forgive their student debts, but presents their predicament as the result of corporate greed and misplaced government priorities?
Luckily for Sanders, young voters supporting him for his college tuition forgiveness promises don't seem to be too interested in his own family history. His wife Jane Sanders was president of the now defunct Burlington College and she and other administrators were reportedly the subjects of a long-running FBI probe that they misled bank loan officers about the real number of donations pledged to the college.
The FBI probe of the matter ended in 2018, and Jane Sanders was not charged. But the policies she oversaw, which included pushing for major campus expansions, were indicative of some of the root causes of increased college costs in America.
The establishment in both parties ignored young voters. As sacred as our politicians make college education sound, it's nothing compared to the way leaders from both parties talk about programs for older Americans like Social Security and Medicare.
None of that is a mystery, as older Americans have always been more likely to vote. Even though voters aged 18-29 have been showing increased turnout numbers in recent elections, senior citizens still stand atop the heap. In 2016, 71% of Americans 65 and older voted compared to just 46% of 18-29-year-olds. In the 2018 midterms, that gap narrowed to 66% to 36%, but it's still a wide gap.
All of this focus on older voters and their retirement funds is a nice sentiment but it's misplaced. Older Americans aren't just doing okay. A 2017 study of age-based wealth in the U.S. shows that a typical household headed by an adult 65 and older has 47 times the net worth of a household headed by younger Americans. Yep, Papa and Granny are loaded.
Now, helping older people who happen to be poor or on the margins of poverty is something different. But the cultural assumption many of us have about elderly folks needing more financial help in America is pretty much the opposite of the truth.
Throw in the Affordable Care Act, which literally and foolishly leaned on younger and healthier Americans to foot the bill for covering older and sicker people, and you see a pattern here.
Sanders talks plenty about Social Security, and he's obviously a senior citizen himself. But he usually expands his campaign promises to include younger people, as he did when he took the lead on the Medicare for All promise in 2017.
We told them America's house was on fire. For all the policy differences and political minutiae Democrats delve into when criticizing President Trump, the most enduring attacks on Trump from the Democratic establishment remain accusations that Trump is supporting white supremacy and is controlled by Russian President Vladimir Putin.
These are over-the-top accusations, and it's hard to accept that even most elected Democrats actually believe them. But pushing that message on America for the last three-plus years comes at a price for both sides.
For the Democrats, the price is becoming clear: it's made moderate presidential candidates look less viable than ever.
Think about it: if you really believe the president is a traitor and supporting violent plots against non-white Americans, is this really the time to support mainstream Democrat or Republican candidates?
Sanders may be a career politician, but he's never been a mainstream politician. His persona and political brand fits much better into the current Democratic narrative that we're living in desperate times.
Establishment Democrats are reaping what they sowed.
As a result, it's looking more and more like Sanders has unstoppable momentum going into the Super Tuesday primaries and beyond. The big question now is whether that Democratic establishment will try to derail Sanders before or during the Democratic National Convention.
But either way, the party would be playing with fire and risking alienating those younger voters forever.
Jake Novak is a political and economic analyst at Jake Novak News and former CNBC TV producer. You can follow him on Twitter @jakejakeny.


cnbc--2020-02-23--Economy will be 'strong factor' aiding Trump's re-election despite Boeing hit, Mnuchin says

US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin attends a session at the Congres center during the World Economic Forum ( WEF ) @ @ @ @ @ on January 21 , 2020 .
The strength of the U.S. economy will prove to @ @ @ @ @ voters head to the polls in November , according to U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin @ @ @ @ @ headwinds that could weigh on growth this year .
Mnuchin warned earlier this month that @ @ @ @ @ Trump 's pledged 3 % growth in GDP ( gross domestic product ) in 2020 @ @ @ @ @ the G-20 Summit in Riyadh , Saudi Arabia , on Sunday , Mnuchin said disruptions @ @ @ @ @ 50 basis point drag on growth , compounded by General Motors strikes and the potential @ @ @ @ @ .
`` But the real impact in terms of the American economy , wages are @ @ @ @ @ are being created and more people are coming back into the workforce than ever before @ @ @ @ @ 's Hadley Gamble .

US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin attends a session at the Congres center during the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting in Davos, on January 21, 2020.
The strength of the U.S. economy will prove to be an important factor when voters head to the polls in November, according to U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, despite a slew of headwinds that could weigh on growth this year.
Mnuchin warned earlier this month that U.S. growth may not hit Trump's pledged 3% growth in GDP (gross domestic product) in 2020.
Speaking to CNBC at the G-20 Summit in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Sunday, Mnuchin said disruptions at Boeing could cause a 50 basis point drag on growth, compounded by General Motors strikes and the potential impact of the coronavirus outbreak.
"But the real impact in terms of the American economy, wages are going up, more jobs are being created and more people are coming back into the workforce than ever before," Mnuchin told CNBC's Hadley Gamble.


cnbc--2020-02-24--Bernie Sanders will win the Nevada caucus, NBC News projects, cementing his front-runner status

Sen. Bernie Sanders will win the Nevada Democratic caucus , NBC News projected Saturday , strengthening his early pole position in the race for the presidential nomination .
Nevada Democrats chose their presidential favorites in a test of whether 2020 White House hopefuls could extend early success — or earn enough support to even stay in the race .
Sanders will win at least 17 of the state 's 36 pledged national delegates , while Biden will get at least seven , according to NBC .
The Vermont senator had a wide lead in the share of county delegates won @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about 87 % of the results reported , no other candidate came near Sanders at more than 47 % .
Former Vice President Joe Biden will finish second , followed by former South Bend , Ind .
Mayor Pete Buttigieg in third , according to NBC .
Biden came in at about 21 % , while Buttigieg trailed at roughly 14 % .
Biden , considered the front-runner early in the primary , has staked his hopes on next week 's South Carolina primary , where strong support among black voters has fueled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Warren , D-Mass.
, trailed in fourth place with about 9 % of county delegates .
Nevada , the third Democratic primary nominating state , allocates national delegates proportionally based on congressional district level and statewide results .
Including the 17 projected delegates from Nevada , Sanders leads Buttigieg 38 to 23 in the 2020 delegate race .
Biden follows with 13 .
The Buttigieg campaign on Sunday asked the Nevada Democratic Party to delay releasing final tallies as it alleged irregularities .
The party responded that it would not change its reporting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to implement single-payer health care , cancel student debt , fight income inequality and take on what he calls corporate greed , saw the Nevada results as more evidence that his populist movement has gained traction around the country .
Highlighting his agenda during a sweep through Texas on Saturday ahead of the state 's March 3 primary , he predicted he would enjoy similar success nationwide .
`` Let me thank the people of Nevada for their support , '' he told supporters in San Antonio .
`` In Nevada , we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ multiracial coalition which is not only going to win in Nevada , it 's going to sweep this country . ''
Entrance polls suggested Sanders dominated his rivals not only among his core supporters in younger voters , but also among Latino Nevada caucus participants .
While blowing out the field among self-described liberals , he also ran neck and neck with Biden among those who consider themselves moderate or conservative .
Nevada has drawn significant attention , and not only because voters of color got their first real chance to make their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ questions about whether it could report results smoothly , following the disastrous Iowa caucus earlier this month riddled with apparent technological and reporting errors .
After the presidential field winnowed in recent weeks , only seven Democrats still seeking the nomination were on the ballot in Nevada : Former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg , who has spent hundreds of millions of dollars on his way to top-three showings in multiple national polls , is not on the ballot .
Sanders , who left the Iowa caucuses and New Hampshire primary about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ race , led recent polls of Nevada .
His campaign hoped strength with young Latino voters would propel him to victory in the caucuses and in the Super Tuesday prizes of California and Texas .
Buttigieg and Klobuchar , coming off top-three finishes in New Hampshire , hoped to show they can have success in a state where voters of color make up a significant share of the electorate .
Buttigieg spent much of his remarks to supporters Saturday night targeting Sanders .
He cast himself as the best option not only to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ congressional candidates in November .
`` Sen. Sanders believes in an inflexible , ideological revolution that leaves out most Democrats , not to mention most Americans , '' the former mayor said .
He highlighted the fact that he is the only Democratic hopeful to defeat Sanders ( in the share of state delegate equivalents in Iowa ) .
Meanwhile , Biden and Warren aimed to inject life into once promising presidential campaigns .
The former vice president argued his Nevada finish will put him back on the path to the nomination .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 're going to come back , and we 're going to win , '' he told supporters on Saturday .
The state Democratic Party has said roughly 75,000 people voted early in the caucuses .
They picked a favorite and at least two more candidates in case their first choice did not meet the 15 % viability threshold needed in most precincts .
The state holds more than 2,000 precinct caucuses .
Voters whose first choice did not meet the level of support needed could change preference after the initial round of caucusing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ caucuses for the first time this year , which complicated data reporting .
Results came in later than in prior years as vote counters for the National Election Pool , a consortium of news organizations , reported confusion about vote counting rules or how to incorporate the early vote in at least six of the 63 locations where they were collecting data .
In a statement to NBC News on Saturday afternoon , Nevada Democratic Party spokeswoman Molly Forgey said the caucuses were running `` smoothly . ''
About two-thirds , 65 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ according to entrance polling data .
Another 18 % identified as Hispanic or Latino , while 11 % identified as black .
Sanders appeared to have a massive edge among Hispanic or Latino voters with roughly half of support , according to entrance polls .
Biden had a smaller lead among black voters .
Sanders was the only viable candidate in at least one one heavily Hispanic precinct at the East Las Vegas Community Center .
At another , Sanders and Biden were the only candidates to hit the viability threshold .
Out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ climate change , income inequality and foreign policy — 43 % of voters chose health care as the most important topic they considered when deciding whom to support , according to entrance polls .
Another 26 % picked climate change .
More than six-in-ten voters , 62 % , said they support replacing private insurance with a single government plan .
About a third , 35 % , said they oppose such a system .
Sanders backs a single-payer `` Medicare for All '' system , which led the powerful UNITE HERE Culinary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to criticize him .
The organization did not endorse one of his opponents , however .
Two thirds of voters consider themselves liberal , while 34 % identify as moderate or conservative , according to entrance surveys .
Sanders has a significant lead among liberals , and is neck-and-neck with Biden among moderate or conservative voters .
This story is developing .
Please check back for updates .


cnbc--2020-02-24--Biden, Buttigieg and Bloomberg take shots at projected Nevada caucus winner Bernie Sanders

Democratic presidential candidate former Vice President Joe Biden walks on stage to speak during a Nevada caucus day event at IBEW Local 357 on February 22 , 2020 in Las Vegas , Nevada .
Democratic presidential candidates wasted no time taking shots at Sen. Bernie Sanders on Saturday , after Sanders cemented his lead in the 2020 primary with a projected win in the Nevada caucus .
Two candidates , former South Bend , Ind.
, Mayor Pete Buttigieg and former Vice President Joe Biden , slammed Sanders well before the final results had been announced , as their campaigns @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Eventually , NBC News projected that Biden came in second and Buttigieg third .
Buttigieg , who edged out Sanders in the first-in-the-nation Iowa caucus and came in a close second in New Hampshire 's primary , attacked the 78-year-old democrat socialist at length in a speech to his supporters in Las Vegas .
`` Senator Sanders believes in an inflexible , ideological revolution that leaves out most Democrats , not to mention most Americans , '' Buttigieg said .
`` Ours is the only campaign who has beaten Senator Sanders anywhere @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Buttigieg added .
Buttigieg also stressed the importance of nominating a candidate who can help elect Democrats down the ballot in 2020 .
Democrats , he said , need to nominate a candidate who `` gives a damn about the effect you 're having from the top of the ticket . ''
Sanders has shown `` willingness to ignore or dismiss , or even attack the very Democrats that we absolutely must send to Capitol Hill , '' Buttigieg said .
Biden , meanwhile , took a swipe at Sanders less directly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recent report that Russia is attempting to boost Sanders ' campaign as part of its efforts to meddle in the 2020 election .
`` We 're going to have more help from Vladimir Putin , who wants somebody he does n't think can beat Trump , '' Biden said at his own campaign event in Vegas on Saturday .
Sanders has denounced the Kremlin 's reported attempts to meddle , once again , in a U.S. presidential contest .
Biden took another veiled jab at Sanders , as well as former New York @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has dumped hundreds of millions of dollars into his campaign .
`` You know , I 'm a Democrat for a simple reason .
I ai n't a socialist , I ai n't a plutocrat , I 'm a Democrat .
I 'm a Democrat , okay .
And I 'm proud of it , '' Biden said .
He explained that he is a Democrat because he believes that `` everybody just deserves a shot . ''
Bloomberg 's campaign was not competing in the Nevada contest — but it nevertheless issued @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Democratic nominee would be a `` fatal error , '' arguing that his appeal does not extend beyond his narrow base .
`` We are going to need Independents AND Republicans to defeat Trump – attacking your own party is no way to get started , '' the Bloomberg campaign said in a statement .
`` As Mike says , if we choose a candidate who appeals to a small base – like Senator Sanders – it will be a fatal error . ''
For most of the Democratic field , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ place long before the first projections showed Sanders clinching the top spot by a wide margin .
By about 9 p.m .
ET Saturday , early results appeared to show Biden and Buttigieg vying for the no .
2 spot , while Sen. Elizabeth Warren , D-Mass.
, looked to be in fourth place .
Biden 's campaign manager Greg Schultz tweeted Saturday evening that , `` based on our internal data , Biden will come in a strong second tonight in Nevada . ''
`` Make no mistake : The Biden comeback @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tweeted .
Biden , once seen as the top Democrat in the race to defeat Trump in 2020 , underwhelmed in the first two primary contests in Iowa and New Hampshire .
Biden 's campaign is banking that the stronger showing in Nevada will help propel him to a win in South Carolina 's primary next week .
`` The press is ready to declare people dead quickly , but we 're alive and we 're coming back and we 're going to win , '' Biden said .
But Michael Halle , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Schultz 's claim that Biden clinched second place in Nevada .
`` Not from what we 're seeing , '' Halle tweeted in reply to Schultz , adding a link to the Buttigieg campaign 's internal caucus data .
Sanders , who for weeks has led the field in national polls , was widely expected to win in Nevada .
He won the majority of support from Latino voters and voters under 45 in Nevada , according to entrance polls of the caucus .
He is on track to win more of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the six other Democrats competing in the caucus .