Cornel West: 'Bernie Sanders a Brother,' Hillary 'Machiavellian'

DES MOINES – Black intellectual Dr. Cornel West praised Bernie Sanders and bashed Hillary Clinton ahead of Saturday night’s Democratic presidential debate in Des Moines, Iowa.

West, a Princeton University professor and member of the Democratic Socialists of America, appeared at a Sanders rally near the Drake University debate in Des Moines and also backed Sanders earlier in the evening at nearby Grinnell College.

“Berne Sanders is a brother from Brooklyn and Vermont who exemplifies something rare,” West said.

West said that Clinton’s policy positions are premised on “Machiavellian calculation” and poll numbers, unlike those of Sanders.

Hillary Clinton’s campaign has not been showing strength in Iowa ahead of the debate, appearing disorganized at its Iowa City headquarters and paling in comparison to the Martin O’Malley camp in Des Moines, which turned out a large delegation to stage a spirited demonstration outside the Drake University debate hall.