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 The meeting marks a recognition by Sanders that his campaign must
swiftly broaden its base of support if he has any chance of mounting
a long-term challenge to Clinton, who consistently polls better
among African American voters.
They will play a crucial role in the Democratic race as it moves to
South Carolina - where more than half of the Democratic primary
voters in 2008 were African American - and other states more diverse
than New Hampshire or Iowa, which held the first contest of the 2016
election.
Sanders will meet with Sharpton in the same Harlem restaurant where
the activist met with Barack Obama during his 2008 presidential
campaign - an obvious bit of symbolism for the Vermont senator
trying to connect with minority voters.
There was no immediate comment from Sharpton on the breakfast.
Even before the exit polls showing that Sanders had won New
Hampshire, Clinton's campaign was already trying to highlight her
double-digit lead over Sanders among African American and Latino
voters.
 "It will be very difficult, if not impossible, for a Democrat to win
the nomination without strong levels of support among African
American and Hispanic voters," Clinton campaign manager Robby Mook
said in a memo sent to reporters.
He predicted the Democratic race would be won in March, when it
quickly expands to 22 delegate-rich states with some of the largest
minority and urban populations -- and that Clinton would have the
advantage.
Clinton has a long history of support for civil rights, and she has
benefited from her husband Bill Clinton’s popularity in the black
community during his presidency, although that became strained
during the fierce 2008 primary battle with Obama.
Reuters/Ipsos polling nationally showed that in January, blacks
backed Clinton by a margin of 3 to 1 over Sanders. Among Hispanics,
48 percent supported Clinton and 32 percent backed Sanders.
But as black and Hispanic voters became more familiar with Sanders
through televised presidential debates, they seemed to like him
more, with his favorability ratings rising slightly among those
groups over the last few months, the polling showed.
GOING BEYOND YOUNG WHITE VOTERS
So far Sanders' strong performance has been due to the mostly young
white voters who have embraced his populist anti-Wall Street message
and call for income equality. But in the upcoming nominating
contests, Sanders needs to carry that message to a broader group of
voters, particularly minority voters, who will help determine the
Democratic nominee.
African Americans and Hispanics comprise 35 percent of the
Democratic party, according to a 2013 Gallup poll.
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Sanders already has intensified his efforts to reach black voters
with more campaign stops before African-American audiences and ads
on black-oriented radio stations. Rapper Killer Mike sometimes
introduces Sanders at rallies, and academic Cornel West has also
campaigned for him.
Sanders also frequently condemns the disproportionate rate at which
blacks are targeted by police and has called for increased police
transparency and accountability.
Sanders' intensified effort to appeal to minority voters follows
questions about whether he has broad enough support to take the
White House. Clinton herself has raised the issue of Sanders'
electability on the campaign trail and in debates.
Even some Sanders supporters have expressed fears that a vote for
him could allow Republicans to win the election.
But Sanders' campaign shrugs off any worries about the road ahead.
"We recognize we are moving to a bigger stage, but it's another
opportunity for him to spread his message. People have responded to
his message when they hear it," said Sanders campaign spokesman
Michael Briggs.
Sanders already has begun airing ads in Nevada and South Carolina,
has hired staff in 15 states and is prepared for a national race,
Briggs said.
On Super Tuesday, Sanders will be looking to do well in several
states, including his home state of Vermont, as well as
Massachusetts, Colorado and Minnesota, where the grassroots
enthusiasm of his supporters could be an advantage.
Still Irene Matz, a retiree in Minneapolis, Minnesota, said she was
worried about Sanders' electability and had yet to make a decision
on who to vote for.
"Hillary has been hit with everything for years, we know what we are
getting with her. Now Bernie will get his turn, and they won't be
kind to him," Matz said.
"I'll vote for Hillary unless I feel Bernie has a good shot," she
said.
(Additional reporting by Chris Kahn and Alana Wise, editing by Paul
Thomasch and Ross Colvin)
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