Ocasio-Cortez, Omar Endorse Sanders    10/16 06:12

   (AP) -- Democratic Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Ilhan Omar are 
endorsing Bernie Sanders for president.

   The Sanders campaign confirmed the backing of two members of "The Squad" on 
Tuesday.

   The endorsements are a major boon for the 78-year-old Vermont senator, who 
has faced questions over his health since suffering a heart attack two weeks 
ago.

   The 30-year-old Ocasio-Cortez and 38-year-old Omar are progressive stars and 
frequent targets of President Donald Trump.

   Sanders' deputy communications director Sarah Ford says Ocasio-Cortez will 
appear with the senator at a rally in her home district in New York this 
weekend.

   Sanders hinted at her backing during Tuesday's Democratic debate in response 
to a question about his age, saying his skeptics should attend his Saturday 
rally featuring a "surprise guest."


(KR)