Clinton: I ‘welcome’ Bernie Sanders to the race

by David McCabe - 04/30/15 2:28 PM ET

Hillary Clinton welcomed her first challenger for the Democratic presidential nomination, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), to the race with a tweet Thursday.

I agree with Bernie. Focus must be on helping America's middle class. GOP would hold them back. I welcome him to the race. –H

— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) April 30, 2015

Few believe Sanders, a self-described “democratic socialist” and a favorite of progressives, has a strong chance of beating Clinton. But his presence in the race could push her further to the left on some issues.

{mosads}At a press conference Thursday, Sanders said he was in the race “to win” and highlighted policy ideas like making public college free and limiting the influence of money in politics.

Clinton appears to be trying to thread the needle between the Democratic establishment and the populist wing of Sanders and Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.).

Tags Bernie Sanders Hillary Clinton