Former Vice President Joe Biden’s overwhelming victory in South Carolina has revived his campaign, placing Biden a close second in terms of a delegate lead.
In South Carolina, Biden won the decisive 48.4% of the vote. Bernie Sanders was a distant second with 19.9%. Former Vice President’s momentum is driven by a series of synergic factors, including Jim Clyburn’s timely endorsement, a lift from his status as Obama’s VP, and South Carolina’s largely African American electorate. Biden won the astounding 61% of the state’s black vote.
The question at hand is whether he can carry the same power into Super Tuesday, garnering similar support in fifteen jurisdictions that are holding primaries on March 3.
All Alabama, the territory of American Samoa, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, and Virginia are voting tomorrow.
While Bernie Sanders has an impressive lead in progressive and delegate-lucrative states like California, Joe Biden’s momentum is likely to secure him a good night in the South. In 2016, 54% of Democratic primary voters in Alabama were Black, and African American people are at heart of the former Vice President’s electoral base. Biden is also likely to do well in Arkansas.
At the same time, according to the latest polls, Biden and Sanders are tied in Virginia and North Carolina. As for Texas, Bernie appears to have a 4-6 point lead.
The polls, however, do not account for Pete Buttigieg’s recent dropout. "We have a responsibility to concede the effect of remaining in this race any further. Our goal has always been to help unify Americans to defeat Donald Trump and to win the era for our values," former South Bend, Ind., mayor said when announcing his exit from the presidential race.
Indeed, Mayor Pete’s decision to end his campaign for President may serve as a contribution to consolidating the moderate vote. While Buttigieg has not endorsed any other candidate so far, his call is likely to benefit Biden better than Sanders.
Amy Klobuchar, who performed worse than the Iowa frontrunner, however, remains in the race. Heading to her home state of Minnesota, she is set to take a number of delegates from Bernie Sanders – despite polling low in other key states. The same goes for Sen. Elizabeth Warren and the state of Massachusetts, where she’s tied with Bernie. Biden, on the other hand, appears to be on the low in both of these states.
Super Tuesday also marks the first time Mike Bloomberg – a potential threat to Joe Biden – will appear on the ballot.