Joe Biden’s team didn’t want to admit it, but it was a victory or a break for his bid for the White House.
A series of disappointing finishes in Iowa, New Hampshire and Nevada raised questions about his eligibility and ceded his status as a long-time favorite to Senator Bernie Sanders.
But he won and he won big – going back into the fight with a resounding victory.
The former vice president’s campaign had always said that South Carolina was his firewall and that African American voters would deliver for him.
They did it and he insists that they also take him to the White House.
After all, no Democratic presidential candidate since Michael Dukakis in 1988 has won the nomination without gaining the majority of support from black voters.
Biden had sometimes seemed to stammer toward an informal political end.
On stage in Colombia, he felt and looked like another candidate – fiery, reaching out with quick and clear lines of political applause.
In Iowa and New Hampshire, his events seemed to lack energy and dynamism.
No time – it was as strong and as effective as I saw it in the race and the crowd loved it, very emotional as he spoke of the grief and thanked them for their support.
He’s hoping for a few days of headline returns and a rebound in Super Tuesday next week when 14 states vote.
He proved his resilience when some struck him off.
As he said to the crowd, “The press is ready to report the dead quickly. Well, we’re alive.”
A well-debated debating performance in Charleston and subsequent approval by representative James Clyburn, the most influential Democrat in South Carolina, strengthened his support.
But he did much better than expected with young voters too – so far seen as Bernie Sanders’ reserve.
So could Biden’s victory be a game-changer? Perhaps.
This victory underscores its enduring appeal to African American voters who will play a big role in the states of Super Tuesday.
Here’s the reality: outside of Biden, no other Sanders opponent currently appears to have enough real support from non-white voters to beat him.
Biden, with its more diverse reach, could still give Senator Sanders a run for its money.
If the demography is played out, he has at least a chance to fight to win the six competitions in the south, from Alabama to Texas to Virginia.
This would secure his position as a moderate alternative to Sanders. If he can survive Super Tuesday, he could also compete in delegate-rich Florida and the state of Arizona.
There is a lot of if and Biden has a hell of a job ahead of it. The hill is big, it can be insurmountable.
Bernie has momentum, energy, excitement – even if the Democratic Party establishment doesn’t like him.
But one thing Sleepy Joe seems to have at least is his mojo back. Can it make it last?
Joe Biden’s team didn’t want to admit it, but it was a victory or a break for his bid for the White House.
A series of disappointing finishes in Iowa, New Hampshire and Nevada raised questions about his eligibility and ceded his status as a long-time favorite to Senator Bernie Sanders.
But he won and he won big – going back into the fight with a resounding victory.
The former vice president’s campaign had always said that South Carolina was his firewall and that African American voters would deliver for him.
They did it and he insists that they also take him to the White House.
After all, no Democratic presidential candidate since Michael Dukakis in 1988 has won the nomination without gaining the majority of support from black voters.
Biden had sometimes seemed to stammer toward an informal political end.
On stage in Colombia, he felt and looked like another candidate – fiery, reaching out with quick and clear lines of political applause.
In Iowa and New Hampshire, his events seemed to lack energy and dynamism.
No time – it was as strong and as effective as I saw it in the race and the crowd loved it, very emotional as he spoke of the grief and thanked them for their support.
He’s hoping for a few days of headline returns and a rebound in Super Tuesday next week when 14 states vote.
He proved his resilience when some struck him off.
As he said to the crowd, “The press is ready to report the dead quickly. Well, we’re alive.”
A well-debated debating performance in Charleston and subsequent approval by representative James Clyburn, the most influential Democrat in South Carolina, strengthened his support.
But he did much better than expected with young voters too – so far seen as Bernie Sanders’ reserve.
So could Biden’s victory be a game-changer? Perhaps.
This victory underscores its enduring appeal to African American voters who will play a big role in the states of Super Tuesday.
Here’s the reality: outside of Biden, no other Sanders opponent currently appears to have enough real support from non-white voters to beat him.
Biden, with its more diverse reach, could still give Senator Sanders a run for its money.
If the demography is played out, he has at least a chance to fight to win the six competitions in the south, from Alabama to Texas to Virginia.
This would secure his position as a moderate alternative to Sanders. If he can survive Super Tuesday, he could also compete in delegate-rich Florida and the state of Arizona.
There is a lot of if and Biden has a hell of a job ahead of it. The hill is big, it can be insurmountable.
Bernie has momentum, energy, excitement – even if the Democratic Party establishment doesn’t like him.
But one thing Sleepy Joe seems to have at least is his mojo back. Can it make it last?