Rev. Al Sharpton: Sanders Needs to ‘Broaden His Base’ or He’ll Put House and Senate Seats ‘In Jeopardy’

Reactions to Senator Bernie Sanders victory in the Nevada caucuses have been mixed, with many Democrats, including his opponents, warning about any rush to nominate him. On Monday’s Morning Joe, veteran civil rights activist Reverend Al Sharpton sounded a cautious note.

“Why was it such a huge Bernie Sanders victory and is that just a sign of things to come over the next few weeks?” MSNBC host Joe Scarborough asked.

“It very well could be,” Sharpton said. “It was a resounding victory, I think, for Senator Sanders and I think it showed how many in the Democratic Party want to see the party really stand for change in a direct way.”

“At the same time, it shows what the challenge is now for Sanders, because he is now the front-runner that now has to prove that he can broaden his base to where he does not put Senate seats in jeopardy and House seats in jeopardy. Otherwise the moderates will consolidate and try to stop him.”

“The other thing I think that I take of note, Mika and Joe, is that he still has to work on the black vote. Let us not forget, he came a long way from where he was with the black vote, but if the exit polls are correct, almost three quarters of the black voters in Nevada voted against him despite the fact he surpassed in every other area, and that will affect him in South Carolina and affect him in other states on Super Tuesday where he’s going to need a substantial black vote, and if he’s the nominee, a huge black vote in November.”

“Now, his supporters are saying, you’re doing much better and don’t listen to people like Sharpton, but I’m saying to him that if he is going to be the nominee and victorious, he should not accept being second place or doing better. He has to work on the black vote issue. He has to work on areas that would show he can is expand his base without losing his core.”

Watch the video above, via MSNBC.