Iowa Democrats treat Warren-Sanders dust-up as 'Who cares?'

The dispute has caused days of hand-wringing among the most intensely focused activists about how it might change the race and prompted sometimes-ugly social media exchanges between the camps. But it seems to have landed with a thud among Iowa progressives. In interviews across the state, Democrats wearily described it as somewhere on the spectrum of "not a big deal" to "a contrived kerfuffle." Few said it would stick with them come caucus day.

The response, or lack of, echoes an undercurrent that has run throughout the race for the Democratic nomination, perhaps especially in Iowa: Democrats aren't in the mood for a throw-down intraparty fight.

It's a sentiment voters often say, even as they respond to attack ads that take direct hits. But this time, many Democrats said years of Trump's mocking and name calling have left them tired of the nastiness. They seem to be looking for a kinder, gentler primary, and they're getting it. There's been little sign, so far, of the sharp-elbowed moves that have marked other nomination fights, and party leaders seem to be trying their hardest to keep their eyes on the ultimate goal: defeating President Donald Trump.

"That is a motivating factor for all of us to come together," said Terry McAuliffe, a former party chairman and Virginia governor who hails from Democrats' center-left establishment wing. He said he hopes any extended nomination fight doesn't go on too long, lest it shake Democrats' focus on defeating Trump, which he emphasized is the underlying reason for progressive and even full party unity, however uneasy.

https://www.kob.com/news/warren-sanders-dust-up-gets-who-cares-from-iowa-democrats/5613619/?cat=649