A revived Joe Biden became even more resurrected after taking four states—Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, and Idaho—Tuesday in what some are calling the second Super Tuesday. Biden’s resuscitation, which began with a commanding vote from South Carolina’s Black voters, gained more momentum and the numbers for him are part of the narrative.
According to the latest results from the DNC website, the former vice president has chalked up 846 pledged delegates to Sen. Bernie Sanders’ 684. Biden has won 14 states to Sanders’ 6, though the results are still pending from Washington where it appears to be a tight race.
Looking back for Sanders is a grim scenario and the road ahead offers little light or solace with next Tuesday’s primaries. Florida, Illinois and Arizona are the key states in play, and past may be prologue if what happened in Michigan and the southern states are indicators.
Sanders’ defeat in Michigan, where he hoped to apply his own brand of recovery, only brought more distressing news and practically muffled the often vociferous candidate. Meanwhile, Biden, rather than celebrating the latest round of victories, reached out to Sanders, which was rather consistent from a podium in the city of brotherly love.
“We share a common goal,” Biden said, “and together we will defeat Donald Trump. We’re going to bring this nation together. We’re regenerating a Democratic base, the Democratic Party.”
A curtain of gloom fell on the nation with the spread of the coronavirus and a reeling stock market. Any possibility of renewed fervor from the Sanders’ camp may experience an additional setback if the events are cancelled; he needs a stimulated base to corral new voters.
Moreover, there appears to be problems among his advisers and key supporters on just how to move ahead, and some are bickering and complaining about the news of attacks on Biden’s mental stability.
Biden has virtually consolidated the moderates in the party, and the endorsements continue to come in, including recent ones from Sen. Cory Booker and Sen. Kamala Harris. Sen. Elizabeth Warren who suspended her campaign has yet to endorse a candidate, though the Sanders’ camp has sought her support as they did in getting the Rev. Jesse Jackson aboard.
With a third of the race completed, Biden is the presumptive front runner and come Tuesday that lead may reach the insurmountable level and force Sanders to make a decision about continuing the pursuit. If the results on Tuesday are like the previous Tuesdays, it may be another bad news day for Sanders.
