Vermont's Sanders starts presidential bid in NH.

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Source: AP

By KATHLEEN RONAYNE

MANCHESTER, N.H. (AP) — One day after raising $1.5 million in donations, Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders was out to convince supporters in the early voting state of New Hampshire on Saturday he could raise the $40 million to $50 million to run a competitive presidential primary campaign against Democratic front-runner Hillary Rodham Clinton.

"The question to me is not whether we can raise as much money as our opponents — we can't — the question is whether we can raise enough money to run a strong, credible and winning campaign," Sanders said. "And based on this first day I believe that we can."

Sanders, an independent, announced Thursday that he'll run in the Democratic presidential primary, making him Clinton's first official primary opponent. A self-described "democratic socialist," Sanders plans to focus his message heavily on income inequality, climate change and reforming the campaign finance system. After addressing supporters at a house party, he spoke Saturday afternoon to the New Hampshire chapter of the AFL-CIO.

Sanders could fill a void to Clinton's left that has some Democrats clamoring for Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren to get into the race. Warren has said she has no plans to run. Diane St. Germain, a New Hampshire voter, said she hopes Sanders' entrance into the race pushes Clinton to the left.

Presidential hopeful Sen. Bernie Sanders makes his way in to a house party in Manchester, N.H., Saturday, May 2, 2015. Sanders discussed important economic issues facing the country. (AP Photo/Cheryl Senter)

FULL story and more photos at link.

Read more: http://bigstory.ap.org/article/05c8e83cc83d4014a23cc8cd876e887a/vermonts-sanders-starts-presidential-bid-new-hampshire

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