President set to win first Democratic primary handily as challengers Dean Phillips and Marianne Williamson are expected to come distant second and third
Good evening, US politics blog readers. We are convening this evening as South Carolina holds the first Democratic primary of the year, which Joe Biden is expected to win handily, putting him on the road to again receiving the party’s presidential nomination. While he does have challengers, namely Minnesota congressman Dean Phillips and Marianne Williamson, there have been no signs that Democrats would prefer either candidate over the president. Biden is, thus, a shoo-in to win South Carolina and the primary at large, but how the Palmetto State votes this evening may give other indications of the dynamics the president faces as he prepares for a likely rematch against Donald Trump in November. Here are some of the things we’ll be looking for as the clock ticks to 7pm ET, when polls close:
How big is Biden’s win? Last month, the president won New Hampshire’s Democratic primary with 64% support. He wasn’t even on the ballot, and his victory was the result of a write-in campaign by his supporters, but the result nonetheless offers a baseline to compare against his expected victory in South Carolina.
Will Black voters turn out for him? Approval polls have shown Biden underwater with the public at large for more than two and a half years, but Democrats are particularly worried about declining support for the president among African Americans, a key constituency. South Carolina’s population is over a quarter Black, and the results could give a hint as to whether that group will vote for him again.
What are voters saying? South Carolina is deep red at the federal level and sure to be won by the Republican candidate in November. Tonight’s primary nonetheless offers the opportunity to hear from Democratic voters about what’s on their minds as they mull the prospect of a second Biden term.
Continue reading…President set to win first Democratic primary handily as challengers Dean Phillips and Marianne Williamson are expected to come distant second and thirdGood evening, US politics blog readers. We are convening this evening as South Carolina holds the first Democratic primary of the year, which Joe Biden is expected to win handily, putting him on the road to again receiving the party’s presidential nomination. While he does have challengers, namely Minnesota congressman Dean Phillips and Marianne Williamson, there have been no signs that Democrats would prefer either candidate over the president. Biden is, thus, a shoo-in to win South Carolina and the primary at large, but how the Palmetto State votes this evening may give other indications of the dynamics the president faces as he prepares for a likely rematch against Donald Trump in November. Here are some of the things we’ll be looking for as the clock ticks to 7pm ET, when polls close:How big is Biden’s win? Last month, the president won New Hampshire’s Democratic primary with 64% support. He wasn’t even on the ballot, and his victory was the result of a write-in campaign by his supporters, but the result nonetheless offers a baseline to compare against his expected victory in South Carolina.Will Black voters turn out for him? Approval polls have shown Biden underwater with the public at large for more than two and a half years, but Democrats are particularly worried about declining support for the president among African Americans, a key constituency. South Carolina’s population is over a quarter Black, and the results could give a hint as to whether that group will vote for him again.What are voters saying? South Carolina is deep red at the federal level and sure to be won by the Republican candidate in November. Tonight’s primary nonetheless offers the opportunity to hear from Democratic voters about what’s on their minds as they mull the prospect of a second Biden term. Continue reading…