Bernie Sanders is rising because of help from Republicans. At least, that's the arugment the Hillary Clinton campaign is making today.
"While Senator Sanders tries to make a case on electability based on meaningless polls, Republicans and their super PACs have made clear the candidate they're actually afraid to face," Hillary for America communications director Jennifer Palmieri says in a statement to the press.
"The Sanders argument falls apart when the GOP spokesman is trying to help him and the Republicans run ads trying to stop Hillary Clinton in the primary. Now he's taking his cues from them, using a Karl Rove attack to go after her. Both Sanders and the Republicans know that Hillary is the candidate who can take them on and ensure the White House isn't in Donald Trump or Ted Cruz's hands."
The proof the Clinton campaign points to are tweets from Republican National Committee communication director Sean Spicer saying he's trying to help Sanders.
uggggghhh....phone a friend @BernieSanders -- #Iran is the number sponsor of terror.....come on we are trying to help u #DemsDebate
— Sean Spicer (@seanspicer)
January 18, 2016I #FeelTheBern #DemDebate https://t.co/4lg6nH0QTj
— Sean Spicer (@seanspicer)
January 18, 2016