Bernie is the only remaining Democrat candidate with the polling numbers to defeat Trump. Neither Biden nor Warren poll ahead of Trump.
3
In a perfect world Bernie Sanders or someone like him could be President. Sorry folks, but we just do not live in a perfect world. The sooner Sanders’ supporters admit that and get on with the urgent business of saving our imperfect world from the infinitely worse one Donald Trump would like to preside over the better.
1
Lets be Honest here and Call this Public Corruption for what
it Really Is....
Biden's last minute desperate Pleas promising all of them
Play for Pay & Quid Pro Quo....
Biden calling on Amy, Pete, Beta and Clyborne and by
promising them Jobs in the White House...
Guarantee All of you this is How it played out...
Which Only further REINFORCES that the Great Bernie
SANDERS cannot be Bought nor Sold for Bernie's Fierce
Unflinching, Conscience Driven Protections for We the
People....!!!
Bernie SANDERS is the Next President of the United States
God Bless you Bernie.....
We Love you Bernie.....
2
@FFILMSINC Bernie Sanders is very likely the reason that Trump was elected. He was willing to risk Trump being elected, despite the reality that he had no realistic chance himself. All he had to do was drop out, and endorse Clinton (though I am no fan of hers).
That was exceedingly selfish.
Further, he is a socialist.
Sanders would be an absolute disaster, the next worst thing to Trump.
In 2016, Bernie polled ahead of Trump during the entire cycle. Period.
2
This article, and every other related article I've read, focuses on who "won" each state.
However, Democrats award delegates proportionally (provided a candidate attains a minimum 15% vote)*.
Therefore, the aforementioned focus makes little or no sense.
What maters is how many delegates each candidate "won".
*Since delegates are not "split" (are awarded as whole numbers), it's not exactly proportional (although the more delegates a state has, the closer to proportional the awarding is likely to be).
2
Biden did not do it. Amy K. , Pete B. and James Clyburn did it.
3
Warren supporter here. It is time for Warren to drop out. I had great hopes for her but she has no chance. We should have a clear cut contest between Biden and Bernie, and we should unify behind whomever gets the most votes. No more ugliness or division. We are too close now. It’s time to focus on beating Trump. I made fun of Biden many times. I brought up Bernie’s baggage many times. Neither was even close to being my first choice. But I am ready to vote enthusiastically for whichever proves they have the best shot of defeating Trump. That’s all that matters now. No more sour grapes. No more bitterness. No more conspiracy theories. Just support for the Democratic process and keeping our eyes on the prize!
2
@Ben Agreed. And if Warren cares about her standing with her constituents, she'll endorse the winner of the Massachusetts primary: Joe Biden.
1
Surpise, surprise, not really just very depressed that the powers in control usually/always win now please do something instead of just collecting all the money and acting superior. Again reminded why many on the left don't vote the Democratic Party will fake niceness, as usual, it is such a game to win at all cost yet it becomes tiring to see the poor always lose and pay for everyone's incompetence that is great. Good old rugged individualism we are not in this situation because of Trump it is because we just don't care in general.
Sanders remembers the battles that have been fought in favor of safety nets, and an apathetic public—unaware of the misery pre-safety nets—gets turned off by “socialism.” We are a fickle group.
At least guaranteed preventative care should be on the table, health being even more vital than education. At least guaranteed refuge for the many fleeing violence—much of which the U.S. helped escalate. At least training and background checks for gun buyers. At least a tax system that offers relief to the poor through higher taxes on the rich (after all, who benefits most from the laws and policies?). Why are we so adamant that the response to a delusional narcissist is politics as usual?
Frankly, Sanders and Biden are too old, despite their valuable historical memory and efforts. We have deemed, unfortunately, Warren too female. We have tossed valid, intelligent, resourceful, eager candidates in favor of old warhorses. When trump stumbles back into the White House, it will be because Democrats are as fearful, misguided, and gullible as Republicans.
The two-party system has been co-opted by every interest group with money and voters are happy to succumb to propaganda and deceit, too lazy to suss out facts.
Hoping to see a Biden-Buttigieg ticket this year; then Buttigieg-Abrams in 2024. Measured but definite progress that will carefully herd, but not panic people.
And equally as positive to wish for: Amy McGrath defeats McConnell in Nov.
(Everyone please donate to her campaign!)
2
One reason voters are wary of Bernie Sanders may be that they don't know what a Sanders administration would look like. There aren't a lot of Democratic Socialists around to make up a cabinet. When I was called by a Bernie supporter (staff?) I asked him about Paul Krugman's excellent idea of a Team of Rivals. He was adamant. No way would Bernie include any of those people in his cabinet, he said. Who then? While I personally like Sanders policies, I am more comfortable with Biden including a wide range of Democrats into his administration which would give us a unity slate more likely to defeat Trump.
1
"Mr. Sanders acknowledged in a news conference that he had “not done as well in bringing young people into the process” as he had expected, but he argued that would change in November should he get the nomination."
No, Bernie did all he could - he has been there for the younger demographic since day 1. He has advocated policies that would help younger Americans, while running the risk of alienating older voters. He has walked the progressive/youth walk.
And younger voters yesterday stabbed him in the back. 1 voter in 8 was from the 18-29 year-old age group -? That's not enough. It's not representative. Those young voters stayed home.
I am backing Biden. I am a moderate. I will vote for Bernie if he is the nominee in November...but I can see what happened to him yesterday.
In contrast, older voters turned out in droves - unprecedented numbers of primary voters turned out for Biden yesterday...2/3 of primary voters were over 40. 1/3 of primary voters were over 65. That's political muscle.
We just had a small preview of what would happen in November if we make Bernie the nominee...we older and moderate Dems would have to push him over the top, because young voters just. do. not. show. up. Wish it were not so.
4
Let's be absolutely clear. Overnight, we went from a very remote chance of saving the planet from catastrophic climate change to NO CHANCE WHATSOEVER.
Thanks, Biden voters.
9
Trump vs Biden ! Wake me when it’s over . On second thought let me sleep through the whole thing . At least with those two I won’t have to read and watch it all .
2
If we as democratic voters don't see the greed, avarice, fraud, and downright unpatriotic nature of neoliberals like Biden, we will continue to suffer from massive income inequality, we will continue with constant wars in order for corporations to make a blessed buck, continue with corporations putting profit over the environment, continue to be the only industrialized democracy without healthcare for its taxpaying citizens as a right. Republicans are a lost cause but must we be?
8
NYTimes coverage of the primaries seems to begin with So Carolina.
3
Will a Biden AG pursue the crimes of the trump clan? Will pigs actually fly?
3
Both of these men are mature and decent. Neither has indictions of selfish interests. Sanders sees what is clearly in need of improvement in the US. There is nothing in his program that is radical, anymore than original Medicare was, or Social Security was, when these modern programs were created. Or when the EPA, labor safety, civil rights, voting rights etc were adopted. Repeat: there is nothing 'radical' about Sanders' program -- just stuff we absolutely clearly need to develop and enact.
Biden will agree with all of this, but he is not driven to go after much of it. He would be a good, fairly complacent, 'safe', leader. Sanders would move us along, a bit further down the path toward a human-protected world.
You pick -- what sort of progress you want this society to make.
9
@Feldman
This is not a question of character, but of feasibility. You avoid that issue entirely, which leaves your "equal choice" conclusion completely unsupported.
Unless we hold the House, and somehow flip the Senate, a Sanders victory would accomplish nothing, not even reversing the rightward slide of the judiciary. The best a President Sanders could do would be a stalemate, he proposing and the Senate disposing - into the trash bin. As we saw with Merrick Garland, even a centrist, moderate nomination (both adjectives reviled by Sanders crusaders) will go nowhere in a McConnell Senate. With a three-seat swing to the Dems in the Senate (plus the VP tie-breaker), Sanders can get his way in judicial appointments, but with anything short of a 13-seat swing in the Dems' favor in the Senate (I have seen no one predict anything remotely like that) Sanders' signature proposals, so dear to his crusaders, may make it out of committee, but none of them would pass. Not one!
The same is pretty much true of Biden, too, with one exception: Sanders will alienate more voters not as enlightened as "nothing radical" you or I, so not only would we be unlikely to flip the Senate, we would likely lose the House as well.
Biden won't scare off voters, and could even broaden our coalition with disaffected center-right independents and Republicans. With Biden, we have a shot at holding the House, and even flipping the Senate.
One more thing: Sanders is not known for compromise. Biden is.
4
@Migrateurrice Correct on the need to re-take the Senate & hold the house. Any Democratic nominee needs to make that front & center in campaigning for the general election.
I disagree though on Sanders' ability to negotiate and compromise. He is not stupid. But true, he's not prone to giving farms away.
2
@Migrateurrice That almost sounds like the political strategy Lindsay Graham and McConnell used....Just flip Biden for Trump...."With Trump, we have a shot at holding the House, and even flipping the Senate." Who cares about the Presidential candidate and their message when there are strategic down ballot races to win. It's all about control of Congress because apparently that's how things get done. Except decades go by, Republicans and Democrats take their turns owning both houses at a time and yet for some inexplicable reason, the wealth inequality grows, the deficit balloons, mass shootings get worse, healthcare costs bankrupt working class families, housing costs soar.....First, we were promised that just cut taxes on the rich and trickledown economics will help the masses.... and now we are told don't worry if the President is a tired old man it is all about trickledown politics that will help with down ballot votes and control of both houses to benefit the people. The people are waiting and waiting for change that actually delivers.
2
Last night's results show that the US is the most basic country in the developed world.
6
I think we established that in 2016 with the election of Trump, actually. Progressives should have adjusted their expectations accordingly then. But instead they doubled down on an unpopular agenda.
6
Either Biden or Sanders would be an enormous improvement over Trump. The Democrats must not form a circular firing squad.
5
I hope that Biden will look to heal the progress divide with a VP such as Julian Castro.
Bernie, first of all, it’s difficult to comprehend and believe a millionaire, as yourself, with THE BEST medical coverage (via Congress) owning several homes, preaching socialism! Does this mean you will donate all your money, give up the extra homes you own, give up your health insurance for what you’re offering all Americans, and exist in a socialistic world which you create? Please help me understand...
4
One big story coming out of Super Tuesday is how badly the pundits and pollsters got it wrong.
Remember how they predicted that Bernie Sanders would ride to an unstoppable victory on Super Tuesday? Yeah right.
Another important story: most voters in the California primary held off voting until yesterday. This means a vast majority of votes have yet to be counted in California, including mailed in ballots. However, this important fact hasn't stopped the pundits and pollsters declaring that Sanders has 'won' California.
Maybe he has and maybe he hasn't. However, given the dismal forecasting to date, the pundits and pollsters should hold off declaring a winner until all the votes are counted and the California Secretary of State announces the final results.
5
The Walter Cronkite Republican observes that the cult of personality has wrought its damage on our nation. It is time for democracy to resume governance of our nation. Democratic Party is the democratic party. A united front must be forged to counter the divide and conquer strategy of the Republican power grab of the past 20 years. based on flawed elections that allowed them to impose their will upon the majority of voters.
4
It looks like the Red states get to determine who the Democratic presidential candidate will be.
Many of us haven't even had the opportunity to vote yet, though if we contributed money to the party, we have been hit with endless questions about what we want and who we want. Of course, these always come with a plea for more money.
This primary system, along with the electoral college, is an insult to the majority of Americans who have absolutely no input into the final result.
7
Actually, swing state Democrats appear to be determining the nominee, as it should be. If you want to win the White House you must win swing states.
3
I remember Bernie supporters being happy that they won Iowa, a red state. Now they are serving up sour grapes.
2
I feel like a millennial today. How is it that Biden, who has visibly loose and exposed wires, has gotten slaughtered in every recent debate, has had exactly zero ideas of his own, and has an environmental platform so banal that it would not have been up to addressing the climate crisis as it stood a decade ago, has regained front-runner status?
Of course I will vote for Biden if he is the nominee. But Greta is right. Period. And there is no way, in my view, to look her in the face and say, Bernie and Warren are not electable. They're only not electable in a nation of chickens.
11
I understand some of your points but the US is not as progressive as many like you would like. Therefore the choice is a moderate Democrat or Trump. That is an easy choice for me.
6
Any primary candidate that wins California (Bernie) will be defeated in the general election. Those voters are out of touch and represent a disfunctional one party system that is not working for most Californians.
4
And thus with one collective push by the establishment, America once again enters a repeat of the 2016 cycle.
The only difference is we have Biden instead of Clinton, an uninspiring candidate who yet again represents the status quo, a message that has already proven to be very disappointing to millions of people. Is Biden supposed to somehow draw support from Trump voters that are angry at the establishment? Is he supposed to somehow transform into an energetic leader with a message of change for transforming America?
It's clear he is not, but the DNC in their throes of anxiety about regaining power, grasps for any possible opportunity that would grant that chance. It is disappointing to see this repetition.
Despite the conniving machinations of the establishment, however, the Democratic party can no longer afford to squabble over which candidate is best. While Biden is nowhere near the strongest pick, Democrats need to stomach their qualms for now and unite against the cancer that is Trump.
It is truly a life or death situation for our country. We must fight for survival no matter who the Democratic nominee is.
3
Next deal is for the DNC to insist Warren stay in the race to pilfer votes from Sanders.
I’ll be voting for Trump.
6
Sour grapes. And Bernie supporters insisted they were nothing like Trump supporters. You have revealed your truth!
4
Anyone who is voting for Trump is someone who was never worth listening to.
5
Translation: “I didn’t get exactly what I wanted so I now endorse kids in cages, tax cuts for the rich, racism, environmental destruction, and our courts being stuffed for the foreseeable future with hardcore right wing judges.” Not very “progressive.”
Most of the reporting of this election lacks any realistic analysis of whether or not Bernie Sanders has a path to electoral college victory in November and how safe a bet that is. That is the burning issue of the day.
Common sense should tell us that Bernie Sanders will fail:
(a) his message is new and threatening to many. He challenges years of right wing indoctrination about "socialism," "government run programs," and he ignores the subtext of all electoral politics - race. Good-guy messaging that says, "We can all come together," is simply a lie.
(b) Trump has shown himself to be an artful chameleon. He knows how to quickly remove a threatening issue from the table by claiming that he is an even bigger champion of it than his opponent. Remember, Trump railing about "the establishment," that "the system is rigged folks," and that he is the champion of hardworking people who have been treated unfairly by the system. (c) Sanders underestimates the power of money in the day and age of Citizens United. His position on campaign funding is suicidal. Trump is raking it in while Sanders wants the Democrats to treat billionaires as pariahs. Every vested financial institution attacked by Sanders will be even more motivated to write fat checks to Trump. I am not willing to commit political suicide along with Sanders.
5
I told you if the DNC sabotaged Sanders, I’d go with Trump.
4
You are not very pragmatic or reasonable. Besides the ‘DNC’ didn’t sabotage Sanders this cycle; Sanders’s policies and quotes sabotaged Sanders.
8
@New World you apparently do not have children or young relatives, and so care nothing for the damaged polluted earth, with it's human caused warming and changing climate we are bequeathing to our inheritors..Trump has trashed the environment and is working to trash it more..Don't you want your children to ever even just see a bald eagle? Or to drink clean water and breathe clean air?I do not get humans who support the destruction of our environment for profit for the few, in the short term.. It is criminal idiocy.
1
Sanders has many good positions, some not so good. But if Biden wins the nomination, and Sanders doesn't give the loudest, clearest endorsement, and tell, no, DEMAND, that his supporters vote for Biden, and Trump wins, Sanders will go down in history as the deciding factor in Trump's second term!
1
@Lupito
That’s the most pathetic, inexcusable stance any thinking human can have. You’re willing to finish the shredding of our constitution, the destruction of our environment, & the decimation of hope for innocent generations to come just to prove your own - arguably uninformed - point? Ever hear the phrase “cut off your nose to spite your face?”
Though early voting is convenient, it should be limited to maybe a week prior to an election so that all the facts and circumstances about the nominee can bear out in the decision process. As evidenced here, Biden't trajectory changed dramatically after people had already voted and who may have done so differently.
2
Bernie's numbers are not as rosy and this article tries to convey. Bernie only got 1/3 of the vote. Taking into account the fact that Buttigieg, Klubuchar, Bloomberg, etc have all endorsed Biden, the numbers show Bernie would not come close to winning a majority in California. The delegate distribution will really tell the story here. Bernie may have "won" California, but his delegate total is not much stronger than Biden's. The fact is that Sanders is not a viable candidate. He's a protest candidate, like Ralph Nader, Ron Paul, Ross Perot. He has never been able to work with others to get things done and even if he were president, that would not change. Sanders is an ideologue, someone who cannot compromise to get something done and can only stay rooted in his own ideals. Too bad his campaign is focused on hurting Biden.
9
Should Biden win the nomination, Sanders and his supporters should only back him if at the convention they include ALL the points Sander's supporters are passionate about, otherwise it would be no different than having Trump again. Corporate Dems are no different than the Reps.
5
@mjjt
Well maybe Biden's voters don't support ALL the points Sander's supporters are passionate about. That's why there is a primary and that's why voters make a choice between the candidate who holds their views and the one who does not. Maybe that's why they voted for Biden and not for Bernie.
9
@mjjt: Apparently Bernie supporters are no better than Trump supporters—an angry minority who don’t believe in real democracy trying to hold the rest of us hostage to their ideology.
4
As a liberal voter, I have been really turned off by Bernie supporters calling voters like me "corporate Democrats." Joe Biden and Elizabeth Warden have been my top two choices from the start and I make my own decisions. If I didn't, I would have been swayed by the collective swooning over Sanders by the media and college students.
Finally 2 person to decide.
Which is the real prevailing ideas at the moment in Democratic party.
1- Younger generations and their expectations partially represented by Sanders
2- The rest generally represented by Biden.
2020 election risks.
As we all know last 3 year US economy was in very good shape until covid 19 pandemic. But Americans are not feeling fine and there is many divisions seeded by trump himself personally.
Trump cheered as right wing revolutionary ( theoretically , he is just a petty hijacker )
Sanders is binged that idea but left wing.
Sanders is not calculating also , a very combative revolutionary can create reaction. I believe super Tuesday results are surprise, I was expecting Sanders finishes first even with slight margin.
But Trump used all tolerance and credit did all crazy things.
At this moment , we have lots of problem,#1 health care no doubt but right now majority of Americans yearning for normality.
Trump insanity drained all our energy and we are all exhausted.
3
To those Sanders' voters, you should not feel too bad about Biden's winning, because some of your policy goals (probably not all of them) may actually become reality with Biden eventual winning White House. We should all agree that Biden's policies will be infinitely better to average Americans than Trump's. Given Sanders' track of record to get things done, you should feel concerned about his ability and style in politics. Admittedly, he is a nice guy (just like Biden).
To those who suggest that the moderates will lose, like Hillary, Kerry, Gore, ..., I would remind you that only the moderates can win, seeing from the modern history for both the Parties. Even Trump in 2016 took more moderate (or even democrat's) positions on many issues than many of his fellow republican candidates. You should ask who on the extreme left or right side actually win in the US history.
I would contest the notion that Biden is the same as Hillary. With no insult to Hillary, she was a way more controversial politician at the national level with more baggage than Biden, and her favorability was also not as good as Biden's. At the end of 2016 election, both Trump and Hillary had very bad favorability nationwide. This is of course not entirely her fault, as in politics. I think that Biden connects to people better with his decency, empathy, and occasional unforced errors (yes).
Let us win in November behind Biden.
5
Carter, Reagan, Bush Jr., and Trump were all extremist or populist candidates who won.
The list of moderate candidates defeated is long...Gore, Kerry, McCain, Romney, H. Clinton. Moderate candidates only win when their opponent has to run during or shortly after a major recession. A lot can be learned from history.
Sadly, and tragically for our republic, Biden’s name is about to be added to that second list.
4
So what if... Biden and Bernie or Bernie and Biden became the ticket. If we really wanted country above party or personal ego that would be unstoppable. Look at the record numbers of people voting. We need them all.
3
Too many here seem to believe that Biden will lose to Trump, but Bernie would beat Trump. People need to get out more, talk to people that don't see the world as they do. While the progressives are loud and garner media coverage daily (just as Trump did in 2016), that doesn't mean that the majority could stomach Bernie. Many are wanting to vote against Trump, but would never support Bernie. Bernie IS the Dem Trump. If Bernie wins the nomination, Trump will win the election. He isn't what many want, but those same people will hold their noses and vote for Trump. At least Trump isn't calling for a revolution of epic proportion.
8
We will see if Sanders’ win in Calif is as sweet as the headlines say. Our lines were long and people didn’t get to vote until after polls closed. So let’s wait to see how the delegates pan out. Also, Biden may have not received votes in early voting. But if you look at who dropped out and push those votes over to Biden, support for the kind of candidate Biden is is strong for a general.
2
There is no conspiracy against Sanders. Biden has been broke. Yes, he won mostly moderate states, but those states represent the majority of democratic voters in the swing states who are not enthralled with Bernie's political revolution nor with Warren's perhaps more moderate revolution.
Amy and Pete dropped out because it was clear that there was not path for them, especially given the very low support among African Americans. Once the field winnowed for Super Tuesday, it should not be surprising that those moderate democrats chose Biden over Sanders or Warren. The DNC did not command them to vote for Biden. Even republican shenanigans did not work.
Yes, Bernie is aspirational. But all the structural change, e.g. free health care, free college Bernie's supporters want will not happen anyway with a Republican Senate even if Bernie is elected.
I believe that if Pete, my choice, were married to a woman, he might have done better in South Carolina and perhaps continued on to the other states. Sadly, even if Biden or Sanders manage to get elected, they will only serve for one term, opening the door for a republican in 2024. Hopefully, Bernie's supporters will not throw a hissy fit if he is not the nominee. They really have nerve to complain about the DNC when Bernie isn't even a democrat.
Finally, if Bernie is the nominee, rejecting Bloomberg's money is cutting your nose to spite your face. We will need every force to fight against the Republican propaganda machine.
7
@dba:
Superb, cogent analysis.
3
"Biden Revives Campaign, Winning Nine States, but Sanders Takes California"
But we won't show it on our electoral map. And, miraculously, though it took us days to post the results in Iowa and Nevada, and elsewhere, we sure called the races on the East Coast as quickly as possible to let California voters know the writing was on the wall...
3
Sanders won the states the Democratic candidate is going to win in November anyway. Biden won the swing states a Democratic candidate has to win in November to have a fighting chance in the Electoral College. If beating Trump is the goal, and for any sane progressive it has to be, Biden’s the only responsible choice now.
4
@Richard:
Yes, indeed.
2
Demoralizing news. Biden is just one more so-called moderate who will compromise everything away to Wall Street and the 1%. He will do nothing to address our planetary emergency of climate injustice and the cruel inequalities of mass detention, incarceration and abandonment. I know many young people (and old) hoping for real change represented by Sanders who will simply not get behind Biden, just as they wouldn't get behind Clinton or Gore or Kerry. Sorry, but those are the facts.
7
@SC
Sorry, but real change will not come even if Bernie is elected because the republican senate will not allow it. So you can stomp your feet all you want and cut your nose to spite your face. Besides, the context with Clinton, Gore and Kerry is not the same, and Biden is much more likable than they were. Beer anyone? Personality counts more than ideology. Trump won because voters who hated Trump hated Hillary more.
3
@SC Exactly. I will vote for Biden, if need be. But I will not lie for him.
1
If you add Bloomberg's results to Biden's, they far outweigh Warren's added to Sanders. And that's assuming that all of Warren's votes would go to Sanders which is probably not the case whereas it's very likely all of Bloomberg's votes would go to Biden. Add to Biden, Bloomberg's fantastic campaign support and Biden's odds are looking better than ever!
4
It's fine to be disappointed, but don't be bitter or disillusioned. We need to stick together. This is no time for burning bridges.
Let's just finish the primary with decency; rally behind the winner; get Trump out of office; and then, when we are safe from daily chaos, we can debate what it too progressive for the majority.
6
Thankfully, socialism doesn't sell in the U.S. - even with Democratic stuck in front of it. Free stuff sells to a niche population, but not to the people who know nothing is free - not to the people who believe in equal opportunity but understand we will never achieve equal outcomes.
4
@Catherine It's NOT free, I happily pay taxes not to worry about getting old and sick, and my grandchildren educated. Don't swallow the Koch lies.
2
For all those wondering if Bernie can deliver what he propagates: "During 30 years in Congress, he has been primary sponsor of just seven bills that became law, two of which concerned renaming of post offices in Vermont. An uncharitable observer might consider this the record of a blowhard." The Economist, February 29, 2020.
It is easy to offer pie-in-the-sky if you don't have to pay for it. That is why many young people support him; he sounds like a grandpa version of Hotel Mama. Not only does his math not add up, his inability to get things done should cause some supporters to begin to wonder about the populist on the left.
7
Warren was streets ahead of everyone. As I pointed out, far too smart for most US voters. There is a faint hope that a big job in a Democratic executive may assuage your (our) loss, but I'm not hopeful. Joe is decent all right, and I feel there will be more progress than some cynics insist, but if he doesn't beat Bernie fairly all is lost. And I think Bernie has as good a chance and would make mincemeat of Donald, as I fear Donald may of Joe. 45 may be not too bright, but his master is the smartest guy around. And there is a huge reservoir of uninformed credulous voters (and not just in the US - we have them too!)
1
@Will
Yes, but Biden exudes empathy, humanity, and genuine kindness but does not scare with socialism, anathema here in the US because no one understands it and it's not in the American DNA. I believe there will enough voters who will gravitate to warmth and empathy and away from Trump's nastiness.
2
When will Warren drop out? She is acting like a child who won’t admit defeat. She didn’t even take Mass. Does she imagine she’s gonna come from behind? I respected her before but this has made me doubt her character.
6
Biden won because of the endorsements. DNC is playing the same game as in 2016. Biden is a decent man and a great patriot but he is slow and not as alert as previously and by election night his gaffes will offer us Trump for a second term.
It is very disappointing to see this conspiracy among candidates to silence Sanders three days prior to Super Tuesday. Early voters' votes were in vain and respect of a fair process went out the window. Democrats lose elections because they lack unity and eat their own. Our elections are a joke. We deserve Trump
4
@John
First, endorsements don't force people to vote forwhoever is endoresed. The DNC does not command people to vote for Biden. Each candidate represents a different voice. When the other moderates realized that they had no chance, they dropped and so it's natural that the remaining voters opted for the one who represented their more moderate views.
Maybe early voting isn't such a good thing, at least not so far out. Maybe a week prior would be more effective.
3
I can't say how disappointed I am. Of all the Democratic candidates who ran, Biden was at best my 7th choice. I don't see how he gets anything done with Mitch McConnell in the way. Bloomberg must put his billions to use not just getting Biden elected president, but flipping 3 Senate seats. Otherwise we just have a continuation of the Obama presidency. That's just not going to be good enough.
6
@Eric
Bloomberg supports republicans as well. He’s not the good guy.
3
Trump is more worried about Biden than Sanders. Indeed, he got impeached by the House for it. Trump and Putin are completely aligned on this.
3
The Biden "revival" is misleading. Pete and Amy dropping out was the space Joe needed to get these results. Warren is dead weight now for the Progressives.
Call it a deep state conspiracy, but if Warren stays in this race, I have to believe she is only there to help Biden get the nomination.
3
Instead of digging their heels in, I want to see Biden speaking about the good things that Bernie is talking about, and Bernie talking about the good things that Biden speaks about.
Common ground, folks. Nobody is entitled here, and they both want to get rid of Trump.
A couple of observations:
Please stop yelling when you're making a speech.
Biden shows his age with his wandering attention and verbal gaffes, and is not charismatic. And of course Trump cannot wait to dig into him about Hunter with all of the nastiness his base loves so much. But he is "Our Joe", and is all about a return to decency experience and professionalism.
Bernie needs to do one really important thing. Recognize how toxic the words "socialist" and "revolution" are to so many moderate and less Far Left but still Progressive Democrats. Continuing to lean on those terms to describe his movement will get him crucified by Trump and his minions. If he wants to be the Democratic nominee, he must find common ground between his independent past and the party he's voted with and purportedly supports all these years.
3
@solhurok
All Biden talks about is he isn’t Trump.
Maybe he will deny bankruptcy to more young people to punish them for supporting Sanders.
Hilary Redux - It's My turn. Give me a break. I will have to figure something out because I will not survive four more years of The Gutter Rat and that is what is going to happen. Yes, a return to civility would be nice, but the country has moved past that. A coalition builder, yes, the country has moved past that. It's appropriate, a guy in his waning years who has no idea what is going on in a country/empire in decline.
3
What’s that old saying? Democrats fall in love, while Republicans fall in line? I guess Democrats are mimicking Republicans these days.
Desperate times call for desperate measures, right?
6
You are simply not covering Sanders in a balanced manner. Biden is un-exciting, no vision, stumbling, same old same old politics... the same recipe in American politics that has permitted the system to age and fail, enabling the heartless, greedy, and regressive Republicans to flourish. The GOP represents the past (by definition), the Dems should represent the future. Biden I feel is a coward’s choice.
6
If Liz Warren stays in the race and neither Mr Biden nor Mr Sanders has a majority at the convention (which seems likely) then doesn't that make Ms Warren the kingmaker?
I'm not saying that I would vote for a spicy chicken wing over Donald Trump, but yeah, I would vote for a spicy chicken wing over Donald Trump.
6
Spicy chicken wing in a landslide.
3
I want to thank Mike Bloomberg for making the difficult choice to resign as a candidate and support Biden for the Presidency! Thank you for choosing honesty, integrity, patriotism and truth in America; instead of the hypocrisy and self aggrandizement the WH is currently famous for!
3
My sense of it is Sen Warren is being short-changed without adequate discussion on the role of free media coverage and endorsements; for example, the NYT endorsed *both* Warren and Klobuchar -- how wishywashy, half-hearted could that be? Yes, Warren lost in her home state, but couldn't the esteemed data gathering powers of the NYT not have uncovered/reported how Biden was blessed by the all-powerful Kennedy endorsement? Of course, in the end, whoever gets to be nominee, I am looking forward to a united push to vote down the incumbent powers in the White House and Senate, but in the meantime, can't the media give some free airtime to Elizabeth Warren, please? To at least make the coming debates, by her participation, watchable, yes?
1
Don't worry "moderates," Joe Kennedy's ghost is still stuffing ballot boxes in CA....
1
I was watching KCDC on Sunday nite. Right at the end she asked her panel to predict yesterday. The last person who spoke was a black woman whose name escapes me. She said, and I quote:
"...Welcome to the Black Primary, y'all. The South has something to say. Black women are going to do the talking..."..
As for California? so what? Bernie will only take 40% of the delegates. Joe will get 30% plus or minus.
Joe is going to win just about every state the rest of the way- with 60% plus of the vote in most of them. Joe will go to the Convention with more than enough delegates for a First Ballot win.
On another note, Bernie made serious errors over the weekend when he went in for kill on Amy and Liz by campaigning in their own states. That had to be a factor in Amy's decision not just to withdraw but also to endorse Joe. That decision forced Pete's hand. Beto jumped in and the combined staffs put together that brilliant event on live national TV on Monday night.
Net result- Biden wins MA and MA, plus he sweeps the South.
To Bernie supporters: This election is not about Bernie nor Democrats, it’s about saving America from tyranny. Climate Crisis. Taking the White House back from a traitor/crook. It’s about righting some serious wrongs! Set your egos aside and VOTE FOR America!
5
@Mari
So you want the guy who helped pave the path over 40 years and gave us Trump? Add some more years to it. Republicans aren’t going anywhere and his policies with those that fund him are what is killing us.
The problem is that a lot of Bernie supporters are so focused on “populism” that they prefer Trump to moderate Democrats. Those people are what I technically term “insane.”
3
The Times seems super slow to call California for Sanders. The main table is showing 87% reporting with a 8.7% lead for Sanders in California. The biggest result of the night is pushed farthest down. Could an editor explain this strange choice?
2
@SiliconValleyEngineer Thank you for your comment. We have cited the Associated Press, which called California for Bernie Sanders last night. However official results from the state probably won't come for a while, maybe even weeks, because of how officials there tally the vote. Jennifer Medina, a Times reporter in California, offered a detailed explanation here: https://nyti.ms/32Qu6Mi. I hope this helps. Thank you again for your comment. And thank you for reading.
2
I hope that, within my lifetime, this country will evolve to embrace the concept of electing a female president. Harris and Warren in particular were impressive, but they never stood a chance. Another old white male it is.
1015
@Zebra - Yes I was hoping for that and there are a few of us, at least one other here, who see Warren as the best compromise or unity candidate.
But I fear but can only speculate that being female was the first strike against her and the second was that without Bernie she would be having his votes.
As for lifetime and Bernie, I turn 88 shortly and have my own meticulous record of health changes between 70 and 88 and my Swedish Universal Health Care records, available to me at 1177.se record those changes and even lots of blood and other data.
Bernie is too old. Warren, just right. 70 to 80 even I might have been able to handle a full time job. 80 to 90, part time is fine.
Only-NeverInSweden.blogspot.com
Citizen US SE
47
@Zebra Have faith. I believe it will happen but it is likely to be a woman with military experience. Such experience counter doubts about a woman's ability to be commander-in-chief as well as be able to "speak guy" well enough to persuade the last male holdouts!
18
@Zebra This is the problem with Dems: identity politics. The right person for the job is the goal. The women running were not good enough to be president. Hopefully, there will be some day soon.
80
The fact that Sanders has captured the votes of our Latino and working class folks, means they feel under-represented in all political parties. Trump, on the other hand, behaved as if he was an advocate for the working class and farmers, but has betrayed them. Biden appeals to moderate Democrats, to Republicans and conservatives who are horrified by the presidency of Donald Trump. Many former conservative Republicans, were cheering for Joe Biden, and hoping that he could be the candidate they could actually vote for. If Biden wishes to win, he needs to embrace the concerns and needs coming from the working class, Latinos, and the poor, as well as students looking for a more European style of social programs.
6
@K.M
True. But students looking for a more European style of social programs should move to Europe. Sorry, though I sympathize, America is not Europe. These social programs require a lot of taxes and are simply not present in the American DNA. Even if Berine were elected, a Republican Senate would block any such programs. Even a slim democratic majority would not implement them as fully as they would like. And right now, we need all the voters we can get to rid us of Trump. This includes moderates, disgusted republicans and conservatives. So, if these young voters throw a temper tantrum and stay home, that will only demonstrate their youthful lack of intellect and maturity.
2
Maybe they are demonstrating a lack of tolerance for the choices before them?
My primary ballot (mail in) is due next Tuesday. I was waiting until after the results from yesterday to decide, and marked it for Biden this morning. We finally did away with caucuses to determine delegates - which I never participated in. Sanders won big in Washington last year, but I think as has been shown actual voting doesn't necessarily favor him. The caucus system doesn't reach the wider constituency. Biden was not my first choice but I prefer him over Sanders. I'll vote for anyone but Trump.
6
@dairyfarmersdaughter, we are doing the same thing. As are our Gen X and Millennial kids. Getting the vote out is crucial.
2
The question now is how many debates will be allowed now that the DNC has their preferred candidate in the lead? Joe Biden is quite gaffe prone as you could see last night. Can Biden stand up to a tag team match of Sanders and Warren? Completely unlikely with his record.
7
Biden is a male Hillary Clinton in that for voters he messages a return to the status quo. A pre-Trump America. With a Biden Presidency the corporate/financial power sectors could feel assured government operations will continue to work in their best interests. For it will be business as usual in America. Sidelining the American worker/wage earner. An environment that provided the elements that allowed a rogue individual like Donald Trump to enter the political scene.
9
@Rose Gazeeb Hillary Clinton was a liability as she already had a lot of negative baggage. Biden does not have as much baggage.
2
@rose gazeeb You are are so correct. But somehow many voters don’t get this.
I’m sad that I am unlikely to see the change I would like to see happen in my lifetime.
1
I'm feeling a bit more sanguine about Biden becoming the nominee (Warren got my vote) but to suggest, as the headline suggests, that he did a single thing himself to bring about this current turn of events is disingenuous at best. He was rained down upon by the good grace of others and he'd do well to remember that while, and as long as, he rides this wave.
4
@Sarah Gordon
" He was rained down upon by the good grace of others .." Really? He was broke and eveyone pronounced him out of the race. Simply put, then Amy and Pete, my choice, dropped out, it was a choice between Biden and Sanders. Sorry, but most voters are moderate, and are not looking for a political revolution that Bernie won't be able to implement anyway with a republican senate.
2
I'm surprised to hear many sources this morning declaring this as a sign of the Democrats' coming together ... unifying.
In fact, it looks like 1968, when the ultimate in party disunity pitted Bobby Kennedy against Hubert Humphrey. The intense internal fighting ensured that Humphrey was not elected.
3
Progressives have been heard. Perhaps not nominating their candidate will end up being a better outcome for their agenda. Bernie was going to be a lame duck President at odds with Congress and wholly ineffectual at accomplishing much if anything. And the doubts about his electability are confirmed by primary numbers showing his base is not creating broad coalition support of support. Joe Biden, on the other hand, is a pragmatist, a legislator, and is sympathetically to not only the full tent of the Democratically Party, but also to moderate Republicans. He has no axe to grind except to try and restore rational good government, improve fairness, address climate change and expand health care and other social security programs. He looks a lot more like the three great builders of the modern middle class - FDR, JFK and LBJ, then anybody else running for President. Young progressives especially need Tom show their relevance and importance to an improved social contract by getting behind and supporting the candidate who is obviously not their first choice, but is the most reasonable alternative. It is about respecting the views of others so that reciprocity causes others to listen to and respect your views as well.
3
@Geoff L.
Go shake hands with republicans. See how many votes that wins from progressives who are assaulted by fascists and corporate hegemony.
1
There is now bipartisanship on the issue of marginalizing the left. The DNC is doing some good and laudable work.
1
Do I have this right? Bernie will get 4/7 of the CA delegates and Joe will get 3/7 of them. That’s a spread of about 60 delegates. I don’t think that will put Bernie ahead nationally. Anyone want to correct my arithmetic?
4
@Bob Jones Shhh! You are contradicting the Times' narrative.
1
What the Bernie people do not get is that Democrats are a diverse group and there has been concern for the way Bernie'sd populist campaign sounds very much like TRump's. It was not Bernie's rage against the health care issue that got the door open to move in the direction of Health Care for All, it was getting the door open to move in that direction. what did the Bernie people do? t1%10 voted for Trump and other s sat home... that is how we got Trump and the right leaning supreme court. Will they do the same thing again? They are already starting from some of the comments oi have read...
4
Same-old same-old: "a loose alliance of party leaders, elected officials and centrist voting blocs seemed to fall in behind Mr. Biden", people who would belong to the RIGHT in most European countries. Trump is a SYMPTOM for all that's wrong with democracy in the US. The Democratic Party establishment with their Republican-Lite agenda us what's wrong.
2
@Jessica, are you willfully disrespecting the African-Americans who voted in huge numbers for Joe Biden?! They are not the “party elite” I fact, the party leaders are allowing the a People to vote. They did not give Joe Biden a dime, Joe barely had enough money to put up an ad.
4
How is it Bernie voters are so confident he will win the general election when he can’t even convince the majority of Democrats to vote for him. 2020 will not be a replay of 2016. Many voters gave Trump a chance to lead and he failed miserably. Many stayed home assuming Hillary would win. Then you add 20 years of anti Hillary attacks to the mix. Voters turned out for Biden last night. He is an honest man with integrity who may be attacked by Sanders supporters, but he is a compelling choice for many. I am a lifetime Democrat and I don’t support Sanders approach nor many of his policies. I am happy to support Biden. He has already signaled he will usher in a new generation of leaders. Bernie”s approach is it”s my way or the highway. No thanks.
9
@KS, the Bernie supporters are not as many as they claim. When you compare them to the African-American voter turnout to Bernie’s, his either isn’t showing up or don’t care.
2
Sanders is essentially done now. He'll flail around, less and less young people will vote, but of course they will go to his free concert rallies (talk about buying an election) and then Biden will be the nominee. He will choose Klobuchar as vp and yes, they will be boring, but effective, and defeat Trump. I have no idea what planet Warren is living on, except that she enjoys the travel and doesn't want to spend the spring in DC.
4
@boji3 LOL! Great comment, especially about Liz.
I'm disappointed that Warren has been doing so poorly but I'll happily vote for either Biden or Sanders.
4
America as usual will get it right after trying all the wrong options. Biden for president, what's the slogan "I'm not Trump". or "I owe the billionaires" or "I was Obama's VP". Can't wait for the Hunter Biden smear campaign, or the long list of Biden gaffes to played in an endless loop by Republican super PACs.
1
Folks, REALITY SHOT:
For Bernie to take the WH, a majority of Americans in key swing states will have to vote for his brand of neo-socialism. This is not France and that is simply never going to happen. Urban millennials are less afraid of socialist-shaped thinking, but they are clustered on the coasts, Austin, Denver, etc. Not in the swing states.
Look at the fate of the Affordable Care Act, the closest thing to socialism that has happened in this country in the next decade. The GOP picked it apart bone by bone. But Bernie is somehow going to win the country with "free healthcare, free education", etc? Not one soul out there -- including this writer -- believes it will indeed be "free", because all of those things need to be paid for somehow, which takes us right back to the depth of antipathy and suspicion that Obamacare has faced.
Bernie's Benevolent Big Government is not going to win the White House.
9
To Sanders supporters. There is no huge conspiracy driving voters to the polls to vote against him. If only the Democratic leadership was that strong and organized. Most American Democrats and Independents do not want a revolution. Most voters are not interested in demonizing people for their success. Joe Biden had a good night because most voters want to take the America they know and make it better. Not turn it upside down. No one is pulling my strings when I pull the lever. If Sanders should not win the nomination please understand that was the will of the people. Then get over it and work to make sure that on January 20th Donald Trump crawls back in his hole and we can start fixing what he broke. Because if Sanders wins the nomination, even though I disagree with him on some major issues, that is what I will do.
11
You can slap new paint and new tires on an old jalopy but it’s still an old jalopy. I’m glad the party is moving back to it’s more centrist base but I’m concerned whether either can make it to the finish line.
1
When it comes to dealing with and making real inroads into the vitally important issues of climate change, access to education and much better healthcare, I would challenge the rich suburbanites and older voters, in particular, who chose to vote for Joe Biden, take your children and grand children aside and look them in the eye and tell them:
"Tonight we just started the process of destroying your future".
Donald Trump certainly will not do anything about these issues(he will make them worse) and neither will corporate/establishment democrats.
2
It's this simple; Joe Biden can reach across the aisle. He wants to. Bernie won't even reach across my party, never could, never wanted to.
Real change in this country is achieved when we trust in our decency to compel us forward together, all of us, together.
6
A Dem president will be hamstrung unless he has a workable majority in the Senate. Dems have got to elect Senators, too, in order to outvote the Grand Obstructionist Party in power.
4
Thank you, Michael Bloomberg. Your reason for entering the candidacy, i.e. to remove Donald Trump is honourable. Unfortunately, there were a number of issues that emerged that were hard for the public to overlook. That does not make you a bad person overall, but, still, an obstacle to the presidency.
However, your endorsement of Joe Biden, ideologically and monetarily will be your greatest contribution. And for that, we should be grateful.
4
It has been said that black voters are the heart and soul of the Democratic Party and I agree. I'll generally follow what black voters want or don't want, and when I saw them turn their backs on Mike Bloomberg in Selma the other day, and then hearing Clyburn's endorsement of Biden, my mind was finally made up. I'm now a Biden voter and I believe he would be an excellent president.
4
Elizabeth Warren needs to suspend her campaign and endorse Sanders.
The progressive Dems simply did not join forces as they needed to do.
It's not too late.
Go Bernie!
3
Sanders is being supported by idle Republicans, who already have a candidate but decided to help Democrats choose the “easiest to beat” guy. Let Sanders quit and endorse Warren.
2
Biden will be torn apart by trump in a debate. Sad, but true. Sanders or Warren could stand up to the flim flam man, but not uncle joe who looks likes he belongs in an assisted living facility.
1
Debates are not going to make a difference. The vast majority of voters do not tune in to the debates. Clinton won all the debates and it not make a difference.
4
@Joe Smoe
You assume Trump will actually agree to any debates, he won’t.
3
If Biden becomes the nominee, his choice of VP will be paramount. Most of us understand odds....I think many will consider his decision when they vote.
1
Gerrymandering. Gerrymandering. Gerrymandering. Does it even matter who won last night?
To me, as a woman, especially, it is a tragedy that Elizabeth Warren - who is far more qualified in terms of what she has actually achieved - is trailing so far behind Bernie. She is sharper, younger, and way more able to play across the divide as she has the gift of diplomacy, which neither Trump or Bernie have, and which makes them both incompetent in my eyes.
If you have the highest office in the world, you need to be able to communicate and negotiate. That means listening to both sides and compromising.
What is it about people across the globe that they prefer to have bullies in place of thinkers? Is it that old dictum from Sociology 101, that the person who makes the most noise and shouts over everyone else tends to be the leader of a group whether or not he is the most qualified? I shudder for the fate of the world and for the fate of democracy.
5
Trump will lose the election. The oracle? In CA district 50, where I have hardened Trump voting friends, a Democrat leads 34% to 25% for republican. That district is a solid republican one, where Issa is trying a comeback. Way to go in 2020!
2
All the fear and hand-wringing over Trump will result in another four years of Trump.
I'm voting for Bernie.
I'm voting for progress, not regress. I'm voting for US.
2
@Slipping Glimpser If Bernie is not the nominee and you still vote for him, you are indeed doing your part to give trump another 4 years. Like you did in 2016.
4
It sure sounds Bernie bros are out for revenge in here.
And as usual, they completely miss the big picture. Bernie is not electable for the rest of the country, fellas.
8
It is time for the rest of us to stop arguing and fighting with the Bernie supporters I think. There’s no point in hashing out the old resentments anymore. Swords need to become plowshares. We need to concentrate on building turnout and not alienating each other. From now, I will try hard to resist the temptation to troll Bernie supporters and to stay positive about Democratic chances. Beating Trump is paramount.
One would have thought that in the aftermath of Super Tuesday the Sanders children's crusade might serve themselves a helping of humble pie. This outcome cannot be easily blamed on a conspiracy of elites, it was delivered by retail voters.
But no. Instead we are seeing defiant denial and dire predictions of electoral disaster for Dems in November. These predictions are actually transparent threats because they are a self-fulfilling prophecy underwritten by treachery from the crusaders themselves: many have already telegraphed that they intend to vote for Trump if Sanders' vanity project fails, and the rest will do what they did in 2016, spitefully throw away their votes on fringe candidates.
Imagine going from advocating Medicare-for-all to enabling and/or supporting the gang of assassins who are relentlessly trying to kill the Affordable Care Act!
This is what happens when self-righteous rage obliterates idealism. This is why the Sanders movement is a tantrum-filled children's crusade and does not deserve the Dem nomination.
Meanwhile, those of us who are ready to support whoever emerges victorious in July, perhaps with misgivings, but nevertheless, should face the reality that the refuseniks in the children's crusade do not intend to reciprocate. We must therefore write them off and resolve to prevail in November anyway, by turning out in historic numbers. If we succeed, the refuseniks will benefit in spite of themselves. What makes us different is, we are not suicidal.
5
Biden wins 10 states, almost all in the south that will go to Trump. Bernie wins 6. This isn’t over by a long shot despite the establishment saying so. As soon as Sanders goes after Biden’s abysmal record, look for Biden’s support to slip.
3
There are alot of posts on this thread that I can only describe as defeatism. Most appear to be from Bernie supporters. I don't care who they support, but have suspicions that they are foreign trolls.
Trump, the GOP and their policies will not be defeated is one spends all one's time saying "we're gonna lose". We need to turn out as many voters as possible. You can bet that the GOP will. Being negative is a ticket to suppressing the vote, and a self fulfilling prophecy.
You either want Trump out, or you don't.
You either want to restore the rule of law, or you don't.
And, I'm sure we'll start hearing from younger folks about how another Trump term will lead to "revolution" and the overthrow of "the system". Perhaps. After tens of millions die in a multi-sided civil war.
2
That's just dandy. The Dems are handing DJT a second term on a silver platter by either choosing Biden or Sanders. I hope Biden doesn't have a seizure and Sanders a cardiac between now and Nov 3. I have nothing against the elderly. Old people are cool! Just not running this country. We hopelessly need a viable 3rd party in this country.
Warren stayed in due to way too much persistence.
3
Congratulations Vice President Biden! Now, please solidify the Democratic Party and greatly increase your chances of winning the general by giving strong consideration to making Senator Elizabeth Warren your running mate. What bolsters our chances of a return to decency more than having a bona fide corruption fighter by your side. We recognize the fact that this will be an all-white ticket, but I believe that Elizabeth Warren connects with all voters in a way that will make this a non-issue. A Biden-Warren ticket would likely prove unstoppable - experience and integrity.
2
The only pittance of satisfaction is that Bloomberg spent a half a billion dollars to win American Samoa.
Fear won the day, not Biden.
1
Regarding Biden's trouncing of Sanders and the disbelief of Sanders and his team.....conspiracy theories are the ultimate warm blanket on a cold night. Bernie Sanders supporters can convince themselves of pretty much anything if they believe that vast forces are colluding against them. This type of "political schizophrenia" is helping Sanders and his supporters to point fingers at everyone but themselves. It's insulating them from the truth - that America got a good look at Bernie Sanders and America said "no thank you".
4
The fact Bernie won California is irrelevant to his ability to win the WH... in fact, it may even suggest his weakness against You Know Who. How many times has Trump painted California as anathema to his base? And it is into that base that the Democratic nom needs to make inroads in order to take the WH. So: CA may be significant from a delegate count perspective, but it's irrelevant when it comes to the WH. And once again for those at the back, no one in Trump's base is going to vote for a fan boy of Castro.
3
The Democrats were paralyzed by too many candidates.
They were decisive when faced with a narrower field.
Democrats don't want a revolution - they want to beat
Donald Trump. Bernie Sanders doesn't seem to care what
Democrats want - that is a mistake.
5
While I would vote for either Biden or Sanders come november, Biden is fast proving himself to be the king of goof ups. Just yesterday, he pointed to his sister and called her his wife. And realized it a moment later. During the debates, he goes off on tangents and not remembering why he went there at all.
Not to mention, he is right now a one-trick pony, playing the black voters card and calling himself an ally of black voters (because he was with Obama). Let's not forget what Kamala Harris did to Biden on the debate stage a few months w.r.t his segregation policy. Basically, proved that he is not the ally of black voters they are being led on as.
And democrat establishment is the worst ever party for propping him artificially. Amy and Pete giving their endorsement reeks of desperation on the part of DNC to get him votes from midwest.
If a Biden gets voters from progressive belts during the general election, it's only because they want Trump stopped. Biden's presidency will be no honeymoon. Mitch McConnell is not going anywhere and he will make sure none of the bills are ratified. That doesn't depend on whether Biden is the president or Bernie is.
This primary race is far from over between Sanders and Biden. However, if Biden wins the nomination it will be another four years of Trump. Firstly, it was moderate democrats, such as Biden, who created the conditions for a Trump candidacy in the first place by not promoting and passing quality progressive policy that actually helps Americans. Secondly, to say a moderate candidate is a safer option is nonsense considering Bill Clinton, Al Gore, Obama, and Hillary were all moderate presidents or presidential candidates who either were followed by a very conservative Republican or lost to a very conservative Republican. Hillary Clinton should be a prime example because she lost to the most unpopular presidential winner in modern history. Thirdly, Biden has dementia and cannot put a coherent sentence together and will get destroyed by Trump during the debates. Sanders still has his mind, knows how to debate, and will stick to the issues that most Americans care about. In conclusion, the Democrat Party may need to learn the hard way again in 2020 that moderatism doesn't work. Old thinking dies hard.
2
If Biden becomes the clear front runner, California will support him wholeheartedly.
2
If one might, humbly and with all due respect, try to distil this paper's opinion on US democracy...
"The People's Favourite (currently Bernie, with the largest grassroots campaign seen in the last 100 years of US history), even if able to win the Executive branch, won't be able to ‘get anything done’ since the Judicial branch's position is die-hard elitist/neoliberal/neoconservative (anti-social-democracy)."
And let's distil that further:
"The ordinary people of America can (must?) have virtually no say in policy making."
and health insurance stocks are up!
They will continue to have a bright future under Biden or Trump.
3
What is exciting about Biden is the fact that Donald Trump will not be President. Biden cemented the Black vote and the suburban white woman vote. Biden will have coattails, our down ballot candidates will not have explain having a socialist at the top of the ticket. With Biden at the top of the ticket, we have chance to turn the Texas house blue and put a dagger into the Republican party nationally. Bernie will never be the nominee and should leave the race.
3
Bernie supporters are not pragmatic which means we'll get four more years of Trump if Biden wins the election as they will stay home and cut off their noses to spite their face and for the same reason if Bernie wins the election because they will alienate independents and moderate Republicans in the general election and this ground swell of new voters won't offset the older more conservative party jumpers who are sick of Trump. Sad to say, but I think Trump is going to get reelected because his core is loyal and the left can't unify itself because people are stuck on ideological purity. I for one will vote for either Bernie or Joe in the general election because if you can't get exactly who you wanted, you don't let Trump trash the environment or get more supreme court picks because you're bitter and trying to make a statement.
2
No surprise--California is wacky. Dangerously so. They fail to protect abused children while creating an industry of falsely accusing innocent families of child abuse. Reckless, vicious, secretive and unjust. With some docs making a fortune. America's Star Chamber. We just completed a four month investigation that proves it. No surprise that these are the people who most like Bernie's extreme programs.
Hopeless! You just gave 4 more years to Trump in one form or another. How people could vote for this most uninspiring candidate?
Your choice: 1. Trump himself. 2. Biden = Trump lite.
Biden's record is not stellar at all. He went after Social Security. Goodbye Medicare for all. He approved GWB's bankruptcy "reform" for the benefit of credit card companies and predatory lenders. He voted for the Iraq war. He made students' loans terms even more onerous than they were. He is of course under remote control from Wall Street and the Big Banks. Great! OK he is not a grifter and a kleptocrat on the current gargantuan scale and is not subservient to Putin. Still an irascible gentleman prone to gaffes and missteps is not who we need. Big deal. Not the hero that we so desperatly should have to undo 4 years of tyranny, plunder and systematic patient demolition of the US government. Weep America and all our friends and allies.
2
When it is obvious that we need a transformational movement, the democrats vote out of fear. Biden is now using language stolen from Sanders trying to pretend that his campaign in some sort of movement. It's outrageous and pathetic.
When a system doesn't represent your interests while simultaneously extracting your resources, it's time to check out. Good luck to all the participants in this farce, you're going to need it.
2
Democrats have done a great, wonderful, brilliant, first rate job trying to discredit Trump on every level. I firmly believe that he was the better choice over Hillary. He seemed like the lesser of 2 evils. The Democrats spent nearly 4 years now convincing us that Trump is terrible and is hurting the nation, but you have given us no valid alternative!!! These are the same people who have run for President before and could not win the nomination. When Trump wins, again, don't blame the youth or seniors or women or minorities. Blame your own party for not providing us with someone, anyone better than Trump. Here in Iowa, Biden had a last minute bus tour, when he found out he was tanking, he called it the, "No Malarkey Tour". This shows just how out of touch with voters Biden is. No Malarkey. This should be embarrassing to the party. You are putting him or a socialist up against Trump?
Sanders can criticize Biden’s record for one simply reason - he actually has one.
3
Bernie "won" California . . . but did he really? When you add up Klobuchar, Buttigieg, and Bloomberg, and say a plurality of them go to Biden, I don't think you can say Bernie "won" California outright.
1
Fr: Joe Biden
To: James Clyburn
Dear Jim,
I can't thank you enough for having jump-started my campaign for the presidency with your endorsement. There hasn't been a come-back as great as this since JC and that Lazarus fella. Thank you Jim!
/s/ Joe
Joe wants to unite the country. That’s his priority. My friends’ families HATE each other because of this polarization (“love Trump or leave my house”) There is hate across this nation. I want a president who’ll end the division, not sow more of it.
4
Dear Mike:
Please, please, please help Joe.
A grateful nation thanks you.
4
If Bernie Sanders really wants to help his country and get rid of Donald Trump he'll quit now and endorse Joe Biden let's face it the writing's on the wall the people have spoken.
4
Healthcare stock skyrocketed today on the back of Biden's super Tuesday wins. Maybe Biden stopping Sanders bill making price gouging of vaccines that used tax payer research to make illegal.
1
Ill be honest, I am 21 and and far from being any sort of doctor, but is Biden showing early forms of dementia? He can barely speak clearly during debates and I am frightened that he may be worse than he seems now by the general election.
2
Have you listened to Trump?
2
One thing is clear: black voters are the democratic establishment. No one can win the Democratic primary without them, period.
3
Did anybody get the license plate number of that truck that ran over me last night?
I mean, I looked both ways, officer, and that thing came outta nowhere!
1
@The New FDR
First things first.
Do you have health insurance. ?
3
@New World
Well, I've a 15% OFF coupon good at my local veterinarian's.
Seeing the racist backlash after Obama, I fear a sexist backlash after a Warren Presidency.
That doesn't make it right ....it just makes me concerned for my grandaughter and her entire generation.
There is no bottom to the hatred that has been unleashed by Trumpism, and I fear that will extend to women.
1
Let’s show some analytical skills and not just parrot the other media - Sanders got 34% of the vote in CA 24% for Biden - add Bloomberg to get a real value. And Biden leads in delegates. I know you are trying to drum up readership but a middle school student could do a better job!
1
Mr. Sanders is a Democrat, running as a Candidate for the Democratic nomination. The NYT does not have the moral fiber to explain that Mr. Sanders views are not that different from Ms. Warren, even though the NYT named Ms Warren their favorite.
1
Time for Bernie to drop out. Let's beat trump. That's the real revolution!
4
Suggestion re the video accompanying the story. Is the prompter on the ceiling? Awkward to watch. If he's not going to speak to the viewer anyway, maybe narrative would be better with graphics alone.
Voters in favor of Sanders have forgotten one important thing. Donald Trump won the Presidency in 2016.
Not the popular vote, but who cares. He won!
Those voters who voted for Trump are apparently also in favor of the elimination of Obamacare. Republicans almost killed it in Congress. Republicans eliminated the penalty for no insurance. Republicans are well on their way to making Obamacare unconstitutional by a nearly successful lawsuit.
There are other examples of stupidity of the electorate who would shoot themselves in the foot on the credibility of a circus clown and compulsive liar.
The question on the table is not whether Sanders has incredibly wonderful vision -- he does indeed -- for the future of America. Instead it is a question of whether someone who calls himself a "socialist" and doesn't have a 5 word explanation of how to pay for multi-trillion dollar healthcare program can win against a fear-mongering liar.
Trump won against Clinton, who is considerably more conservative than Sanders. And the illiterate stupid fraction of the population who elected Trump before will do it again. And that is regardless of Sanders incredible (no sarcasm intended) vision.
1
I am the same age as Biden and last year I had a brain scan. "How'd I do, Doctor?" "Just fine...ahh.... for your age." What!!?? "Well, as you get older, there is a certain decline in brain functioning. It is entirely normal and you get used to it." I will still vote for Biden but wish I had a younger option. He will not even take office until next year and will be four years older at the end of his first term.
2
Joe Biden does not have the intellectual depth to be president!
3
Compared to the current president’s vast intellect, you mean?
1
With Bloomberg dropping out and endorsing Biden, the race is now Biden’s to win.
The DNC just handed Trump a second term. Just wait until Rudy's lies start to hit the mainstream.
1
I wish the NYT would stop repeating the red herring that Biden represents “the moderates” and Sanders represents “the liberals” within the Democratic Party. While it’s true that Biden got the vote of many independents (like me, Texas having an open primary), there’s absolutely nothing liberal about Sanders.
Trump and his far-right might like to equate “liberals” with the far-left, but these days the division on the left is precisely between liberals and “progressives”. Liberals do not stand for crypto-Marxist “revolution” and racial division; these are the pet ideas of the extreme left, who is engaged in a bitter fight to take over the Democratic Party.
1
The voters who have foisted Biden on the rest of us will get what they deserve. Unfortunately for the rest of US it may mean another four more years of chaos and destruction. I just hope I can survive,
I will vote blue no matter if it's senile Biden in November. Groan...
1
Good to see the DNC working diligently to marginalize the left.
1
So ultimately two septuagenarians will slug it out in the election, see The Boomers Last Dance on the whatifwedontdie website
The best thing about running Biden is Trump will have so much ammo he will not be able to pick one or two things to crush him with. Like the bill Bernie wrote to keep big pharma from gouging us for flu inoculations with drugs our tax money paid to find. Biden tabled it and it never was voted on.
Im setting up my go fund me page for my COVID-19 vaccineshot as we speak! GO BIDEN!!
2
I am worried and somehow saddened by last night’s results. Indeed, it was a great night for Biden but personally I don’t see him beating Donald Trump. I was really a fan when he launched his campaign but after his dull performance debate after debate, lack of energy, passion and effervesce really made me question him. Personally, Pete and Amy’s last-minute decision to back Biden was very short-sighted, if he really was a strong candidate, he would’ve shown from day 1 given his incredible credentials.
But let’s get real the Democratic party is divided into moderates and progressives. In order to beat Trump, Biden needs progressives (especially young voters) and Sanders needs moderates but none of them had tried to reach each other’s electoral base. The only candidate that has tried and stands a chance to unite them is Warren. She has a very keen, detailed and inclusive vision of a better America but unfortunately, people seem to be confusing momentum with electability. I hope Warren stays on the race.
12
@Chris If Warren had an ounce of electability then she wouldn't have finished 3rd in her home state. She's wasting everyones time except Joe Biden's right now.
5
@Chris
Also important: Biden can draw from moderate Reps.
2
@Chris
How is Elizabeth Warren in any way a viable candidate. She can't even win her home state!
She is part of the political collusion by the Democratic Party to defeat Bernie Sanders. Her job is to take as many progressive voters from Bernie Sanders as she possibly can. There is no other logical reason for her to stay in the race.
3
I feel like the Democrats have lost already. And not because Trump is going to win. They are supposed to be the alternative to the GOP; yet, two rich old heterosexual white men are in a race to determine who can be in a race between two rich old heterosexual white men. There is no alternative. This does not represent America. I feel like this election is pointing to the need to do politics differently. Either through a third party, or else by changing the structure of governance in such a way that power is shared more relationally between the President and various posts, rather than being consolidated in the person of the one white guy at the head. All of the candidates this year have been flawed, but in different areas. And they've all been talented, but in different areas. Collectively, they make a strong team, and could likely be effective, but individually, nobody stands out. That is a liability, but it is a liability because of the way in which the government is set up (which is a reflection of 'individualism' in the culture). This (individualism) is not wrong, it's just the way it is, and there's a lot that's good about it - even if it is also the force that produces multi-billionaires who carry on with an air of moral impunity and innocence (Exhibit A: Michael Bloomberg's fig leaf: 'I earned my wealth.'). But, this election and the weakness of the two rich old white men one of whom will meet a third one, points to the need for something different, something more.
4
@Erin There is more to government than the president Erin. Take a look at a picture of Democratic members of the house and senate, then compare it to one of the Republicans. And let's see who the VP pick will be. Let's face it, there's a good chance that person will be the president longer than either Biden or Sanders.
1
@Erin
Ultimately, it is the voter and how they make their decisions. At this stage, I believe it is pretty obvious that most Americans don't operate in the realm of politics and their politicians by discussing issues and how to solve them and who is best to do it, especially, in an atmosphere of corruption and bribery. They vote in the atmosphere of fear and self-interest.
@Erin
Identity politics. Your comment appears to espouse age discrimination, race discrimination, gender discrimination, and class discrimination.
2
Analysis of democratic primary voting does not make sense unless you consider the broader historical context President Trump has created. Like many others, the only reason I voted for Mr. Biden was fear and loathing for Trump's policies. It had nothing to do with my age or my ethnicity, and certainly not my long-term political preferences. Right now, I have one goal: build a consensus to turn Republicans out of office. We can argue about policy specifics after we accomplish that.
13
@CC
"Right now, I have one goal: build a consensus to turn Republicans out of office. We can argue about policy specifics after we accomplish that."
Therein lies the errors of you ways. You don't unite or turn out voters just talking about "Let's beat Trump." If you have no vision to inspire people and no policy to show how their lives are going to be better then the only thing you've done is created a distinction without a difference.
Trump will win because the Democratic Party is the wimp party. Trump can articulate a clear vision to rally his followers, and he can point to his track record of employment, being tough on China with trade, and getting the U.S. out of Syria and Afghanistan to back it up. Let's not also forget about the his tax breaks.
Trump will also win because his supporters don't really care that he is liar, a racist, and a misogynist. For them that's a feature not a bug.
But the most important reason Trump will win is because America deserves Trump. Centrists and moderates, are simply too afraid, too secure in their economic and social standing and lack the moral courage to change the status quo.
There is a reason Vladimir Putin is supporting Sanders. It's because he is confident that Trump will beat the "Old Crusader". Biden may be "unexciting" to many but integrity and experience counts, not a beauty contest. While both Sanders and Biden have vast senatorial experience and both have integrity, the country at large does not want, in Biden's words, a revolution. They want a return to normalcy. At the end of the day, governing from the center is the most effective government. If all Democrats, regardless of who they supported through the debates and primaries unite behind one person, Trump will be gone. Unless of course disaffected young voters who love Bernie take their marbles and go home, hurting everyone, including themselves.
12
@styleman
Putin is way smarter than you are. He can put out the innuendo of supporting Sanders knowing that many Americans that lack critical thinking skills (That's most of the the population) will tie Sanders' socialism with Russian interference and damage Sanders' campaign.
Once Biden wins the nomination I'm sure Putin will leak damaging information about Hunter Biden and Burisma and Biden's campaign will turn into Hilary Clinton 2.0. There will be just enough doubt to persuade people not vote for Biden. Result, Trump wins.
The "Bernie" path is fundamentally flawed. The "Youth" vote will never carry him to the Presidency. It is unlikely that it will even carry him to the nomination. Historically, young people just do not vote in large enough numbers to swing elections. Human nature does not change...I have seen over the years of my lifetime that counting on young people to deliver change is not a reliable path to success. And even if the youth of our country were to rise up and vote en masse for Bernie, from where would these votes of young people come? Most likely from the most progressive parts of the country: the northeast, the NY metro area, and California. This has no impact on the national election, as these regions are already solidly blue. There is little or no electoral gain.
In its most basic form, the crux of this Presidential election is quite simple: one must win Michigan, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania in order to win the Electoral College.
I have been a fan of Bernie Sanders for well over 30 years, and I am still a fan. But my positive feelings for him pale in comparison to my total abhorrence of Donald Trump. Trump must be defeated.
So who offers the best chance of defeating Trump? By my thinking, only the candidate who can win the three States mentioned above. Every other analysis is wishful thinking. From every angle I can see, Joe Biden has a far better chance than Bernie Sanders of accomplishing this. For me, the choice is simple.
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@hhhman From your words to the ears of the Bernie Bros. Although I’m not a Bernie fan and I voted for Warren, I still tend to be more progressive than the typical moderate Biden fan. And I agree with you. I will vote for the Democrat nominee - even if it’s Bernie - just to defeat trump. I hope others do the same!
@hhhman
Are you aware that Bernie Sanders is ahead of Trump in polling in both Michigan and Pennsylvania?
Are you also aware that Bernie won the Michigan, Indiana, and Wisconsin primaries in 2016?
Biden has built his primary victories on black voters in southern states that will vote for Trump in the general election, and older moderate and centrist voters.
If he wins the nomination, progressive voters will not turn out for him. younger voters either won't turn out for him or vote for Trump.
If Bernie wins a lot of independent or moderate voters will vote for Trump.
The Democratic Party is simply not united enough to defeat Trump.
He's going to win the election.
1
One thing is for sure; the "pundits" aren't worth their salt. Last week Biden was considered dead according to their prognostications and projections. These predictions and tendencies to drift toward pontification are getting dangerous. It has the ability to sway superficial voters.
At the end of the day, the establishment and the centrists (like myself) are showing how uncomfortable they are with a Bernie Sanders ticket. Progressives, and many younger, voters represent a push toward flipping the entire system on it's head. It doesn't work that way. I'm all for effective change, but it has to involve critical thinking, not a rush toward free college for everyone, free healthcare for everyone and a certain segment being stuck with the tab of such short-sighted populist policies.
I want a change in the White House and I want an approach that begins to unify us as a country. Most of the country leans slightly left or slightly right, but it's the hardliners that seem to have the loudest voices.
I'm uncomfortable with that.
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@DavidF This system is going to be dead and soon, the Kingdom of God is going to destroy it ALL worldwide but the Anglo-American world power will still be as it is and functional when all of this happens. I dont worry about anything anymore and have peace of mind that it doesnt matter who runs anything on Earth, they are only temporary rulers and can do nothing to me.
@DavidF
Wait till someone you love ends up with a preexisting
Medical conditions. Then you’ll really be uncomfortable
4
@DavidF If educating your people and ensuring their health is short-sighted I'm a money's uncle. You might want to check your perscription.
1
Warren needs to drop out of the race. Bernie would have won many more states today if she wasn't splitting the Progressive vote. The only reason Biden is winning is because Amy and Mayor Pete dropped out.
55
@QED this is exactly the type of self serving insulting thinking that makes people hate Sanders.
PS. Bloomberg won more votes than Warren so your comment is pointless anyway.
14
@QED Those 2 are establishment as is Biden and it was a calculated attack on Sanders....
3
@QED Bernie doesn’t automatically “get” the votes of Warren supporters. Like anyone else, he has to earn them. Of the two, I prefer Bernie over Biden, but not because of entitled rhetoric like this.
8
The Super Tuesday results indicate a reality that Bernie Sanders and his supporters do not wish to acknowledge: Even the majority of politically engaged Democrats don’t wish to see our current economic system altered to the extent that it would be under Sanders. They’re happy to continue improving the ACA, but M4A appears to be a bridge too far. Sanders and his acolytes do their movement no favors by continuing to blame the Democratic Party at large for the inescapable fact that most Americans—including most Democrats—simply aren’t prepared to move as far or as fast to the Left as they would prefer.
5
@Old Soul
Then I guess you are okay with four more years of Donald Trump.
If what you and other moderates and centrist deserve.
@Carl, nominating Sanders would all but guarantee a Democratic defeat in November for the very reasons I outlined. The idea that he could defeat Trump is nothing short of a delusional fantasy, given the electoral realities of the United States.
The Democratic Party needs to educate the public about the distinctive roles of public and private sectors in mixed economies, and the distinctions between corporations with coercive powers, i.e. governments, and privately owned corporations. Medical services that pay off in prevention need to be publicly funded to assure availability when needed. So are facilities to treat trauma and acute conditions. A free market in insurance and cutting-edge treatments for complex conditions can sit on top of that.
2
I could imagine a world where Warren bows out, but does not endorse Sanders. This would be devastating to Bernie's campaign. If only Sanders could try to bring more voters into his fold. Will Bernie learn from 2016?
1
@Dr. Girl
I believe the voter is the one that has to learn, especially about the important issues of the day, because in electing Biden they they have once again elected the "status quo" who will more than likely lose to Trump and eviscerate the future of today's young people.
1
@Dr. Girl No I don’t think he has. And many of his supporters haven’t either. Bernie will continue screaming about he is the only one who can bring about revolutionary changes to the bitter end and give his supporters the reason not to support the Democrat nominee, thus gifting trump and the Republicans 4 more years. I agree with the need for change and I voted for Warren. But what Bernie has is overshadowed by ego and inability to put country above self, even when the numbers are staring him in the face. Too much like the orange one we need to defeat!
1
Sanders and Warren - and a host of previous candidates - represent the future, and the ideals America should strive for: economic equality, justice and freedom.
But clearly, the electorate is too exhausted by Trump to put up that fight.
The vote for Biden is clearly another cautious, nostalgia vote: someone please put things back the way they were.
Sanders’ main problem now is, he might stand up well to a debate with Trump, but he’s not going to have the political pull in the Senate and House to radically transform those institutions as well. They remain primarily in the hands of the rich.
Neither will Biden. But if he wins against Trump (highly doubtful), he’ll provide at least the appearance of moderation to calm the spectacle part of our economy — the media — down.
And that seems to be what people who vote Democratic want.
Unfortunately, it will do little to change anything else, at a time when we really need dramatic and wholesale changes.
So, back to heads in the sand and hope for the best, with a little spare change.
21
@Steven You won't find this institution faulting other institutions that "remain primarily in the hands of the rich"and equally difficult finding readers here dismayed at the Democratic party machine openly doing a number on its candidate rated most likely to damage Trump (71 polls).
I salute your independence of thought.
1
@Steven It really is sad that so few Americans have real courage to vote for a more progressive future.
2
Fair enough. I’m read to vote for either of them. Let’s beat Trump. No more pointless division. Let people vote their choice in the primaries without demonizing them. Whomever it is, let’s beat Trump!
364
@Ben
Sorry, I'll vote for Biden--but he will not win, just like Hillary did not win. He will do nothing for working Americans, people upset with bad free-trade deals, and people needing good health care that won't cost them their life savings. Trump, no matter how bad he has been, will magically run on being on "outsider" and will win again, because Joe simply excites nobody. "Not Trump" and "Back to normalcy" will not win this election.
41
You’re not going to beat Trump in a general election with someone like Biden. Democrats never learn.
40
@Ben
"Let people vote their choice in the primaries without demonizing them."
Couldn't have said it better, though it was said about the wrong side. It's Sanders supporters who are being demonized. And it's that demonization which influenced the electorate to put aside their beliefs and choose the person the pundits liked most.
25
I would like to congratulate the health insurance companies, who profit from American death and misery.
They were the real winners last night.
360
@John Schwartz A false claim that only Bernie cares about providing health care for all Americans.
41
@JGM I'd love to make a bet on whether meaningful improvement in health care affordability would happen under Biden. (ready to give you my email in exchange for that bet!)
30
@John Schwartz
If that's true then it means that most Americans don't want to fully replace private insurance with M4A. So for all of Sanders bluster about "the will of the people" endorsing his worldview, the reality is that Americans want meaningful change that can actually happen, not empty rhetoric from the progressive left.
32
I'm surprised by some of the comments questioning whether anything would change with Biden. To me, the word that comes to mind with Joe Biden is DECENCY.
I believe he has the potential to unite, and surround himself with progressive forward thinking people. With a Democrat Party Platform stressing re entering the world stage, The Paris Climate Accord, other climate change actions, income inequality, stopping the slide of the Courts (!), and more - Biden has the potential to even draw voters who are disgusted with Trump but could not vote for Warren or Sanders.
But most importantly - Trump will throw all his ugliness at Biden, Joe may not be perfect, he may not come off smooth as silk in a debate - but I do not doubt that Joe Biden stands for Decency.
422
@Jimi “Decency” is not how you win elections, especially against Trump.
39
@Jimi I agree 100%
15
@Jimi
It will be wonderful--as my healthcare premiums rise, as my kids college education continues to be unaffordable while the climate continues to worsen for them, and they will have no reasonable way up in the world for a decent paying job, all while the military budget continues to expand--that we will have "decent" man in office. Actually, wait a second...wasn't Hillary supposed to be "decent" compared to Trump?
73
I am a Massachusetts resident. The reason Biden won this state is because Warren and Sanders split the progressive vote here. This handed the state to Biden.
I personally know of progressive friends in MA who were torn between Warren and Sanders.
(Remember that Warren is the senator from MA, which means that she is much better known here. This makes the split more significant than in other states).
412
@TCP Which is why Warren received PAC money to stay in the race even though she had fewer delegates than Buttigieg. Siphoning off progressive votes from Sanders seemed to have worked thereby slowing his progress while Biden received Buttigieg's and Klobuchar's votes, hastening his victory. It says a lot about the behind the scenes puppeteering being done by Obama and friends on his behalf. Even Biden was gobsmacked about how wins. Not surprising, since he did very little to earn it himself.
54
@TCP
You forget about Bloomberg and his voters, And remember he’s the only one whose actually born and raised in MA. Despite all of Bloomberg’s spending, Biden still won most of the moderates. And MA is a moderate state overall, your current governor Charlie Baker is a Republican. You guys even previously elected Mitt Romney as governor. This outcome is not that unusual in the grand scheme.
33
@Cosmos
Yeah, Obama the Puppet Master is obviously behind Warren’s campaign and Bernie getting routed. It’s so obvious, why didn’t we see it before? Thanks for the heads up.
35
I don't mean to be ageist--Bernie and Biden are both in their 70s--but I do not think that Biden has the mental acumen to engage with Trump in a general election. This is clear from the many televised debates this political season.
67
@Killoran
What? You think Trump's rambling stream of thought comments - about any topic whatsoever - display great mental acumen?
8
@Killoran Age is only a number, is it not?
@Killoran
Defeatism will lead to a self-fulfilling prophecy.
It is also just as likely that Trump will come across as an ignorant boor, while Biden will come across, as he always does, as a nice man.
4
Biden just won all the states Dems have no chance in winning electoral college votes, with possible exception of Minnesota and Massachusetts and Delaware. Not exactly comforting. Lets round it up to 30 electoral vote equivalent.
Bernie won fewer states, but all these states will likely also result in a win of electoral college votes - 71 electoral votes to Dems with those 3.
The map with purple makes it look like a lot of LAND, and it is, but two important things come to mind:
1) Land doesn't vote.
2) Electoral college wins
11
This wasn't a show of force by the Biden campaign. It was a show of force of a Democratic establishment that has forever cut its ties with the greatest Democrat of all, Franklin Delano Roosevelt. FDR is my gold standard, and Bernie Sanders by far most closely reflects his legacy. I will vote for whoever the nominee, but will leave the party and either remain independent or join a party that seeks true equity and justice.
20
@bdop4
FDR built partnerships in both business and government and was able to pass significant legislation. Bernie has been in Congress 29 years and has only gotten THREE of his sponsored bills passed, including two for naming post offices.
5
@shstl
Well then, when, the stacked Federalist Society courts, business and Republicans refused to acknowledge the implementation and pushed back on his New Deal, why did FDR state "I welcome their hatred"?
That is hardly building partnerships, FDR was a strong politician who had the political will and commitment to stand up to those who would prefer to do nothing.
I have a plan to defeat Trump in a landslide. We need to quickly unify behind a Biden/Klobuchar,Adams or Warren ticket. Then Joe needs to reach out to Bernie and his supporters with huge concessions to their ideas, goals and dreams. Climate, healthcare, affordable college, higher wages ect. Basically a huge " We hear you, help us out, your time will come" Then Biden needs to directly talk to the Trump supporters in the South. Tell them ' I want to bring jobs and help your communities and your children. I will not take your guns, just have background checks and all work together to reduce guns in the wrong hands. Show a willingness to address their concerns since they are fellow citizens. Show them government is supposed to help you .Lets do it! The present situation is similar to WW1 when they battled 4 years over a 1/2 mile stretch or the Protestants and Catholics in Ireland. ( eyes roll). Lets do better.
5
I wonder if Sanders is rueing his statement that the one going into the convention with only a plurality of votes should automatically be the nominee? Same in reverse for Biden?
I do worry about Biden being able to keep up with trump on a "debate" stage, what with trump slinging mud all about. Not that trump ever really debates anything of substance (he knows very little), but he can trash talk with the best of 'em.
I also worry that the Hunter Biden thing will haunt Joe in the general. I very much doubt that anything nefarious happened with Burisma, but Hunter's appointment to the Burisma board certainly reeks of "the swamp" and Joe hasn't done anything to put this behind him with a good, solid presentation of facts and a subsequent grilling by a serious interviewer.
3
@Bill And Ivanka, Jared, and Don, Jr. don't reek of "the swamp"?
The simple strategy to counter the Hunter Biden thing is to relentlessly question how much money Ivanka and Jared have made off of their nepotism jobs. Not the jobs themselves, but the income flowing to them because they have the ear of the president. Every time the right mentions Hunter the left should counter Ivanka and Jared. Remind them that Trump is pumping the swamp full, not draining it.
@Robert P Sure. Pointing out the stench of the trumps is fine, but "you do it too" isn't satisfactory in my mind. Biden should put this to bed--openly, quickly, and forcefully. The right approach is: YOU (trump) are the crook, we've shown Biden ISN'T a crook.
The DNC moved quickly and effectively to stop Sanders. A pity. Now we will have a nominee with at least as many political liabilities as HRC, the Hunter Biden corruption theme is still there, and Joe Biden's alarming gaffes are increasing at a daily rate. Trump will make mincemeat of him and be reelected. Perhaps the Democratic elites have known this all along, and don't care. Four more years of Trump are better than real change for the establishment.
Health care for all. Remission of student debt. Affordable college. Serious action on climate change.
I believe in all of these things. Some of them are not in my immediate self-interest. I am a full professor at a major research university. I make a six figure salary. I have hundreds of thousands of dollars in my retirement portfolio. I have excellent health insurance.
But many do not have these things. And so I have been donating every week to the Sanders campaign, and I'm more than willing to pay higher taxes for the good of the whole.
I say: shame on you, DNC. And to those Boomers in my economic bracket, I say: shame on us. A sad day.
19
@Craige Champion Thank you!
1
What a shame. It's 2016 all over again. I support Warren, but will gladly vote for Bernie and reluctantly for Biden. But Biden has all the shining personality of a garden snail and, if he winds up the nominee, he'll be up against Trump who is all about personality. I just hope that if Biden is the nominee the voters think about how frightening Trump is now and what he would be like with 4 more years of destroying our country and don't stay home but actually get out and vote Blue. Even if it's Biden.
4
There is a reason that Trump and Putin are still trying to frame Biden with their Ukraine hogwash. And there is a reason that Trump and Putin are supporting Bernie. And, it seems, yesterday the voters caught on.
10
Very strange. Joe Biden was in 5th place just a couple of weeks ago. One can’t help wondering....
5
@Susanna ...why people grasp at conspiracy theories rather than acknowledge facts.
People VOTED in states that were not lily white. What are you implying?! Joe Biden barely had one million in his campaign coffers!
Things to consider:
Intelligence folks gathered information that Russia wants to help Bernie win which will help Trump win.
Masters of universe democrats thought hard and said we can’t let this happen. Let us look at the polls which consistently say Biden is most popular and does not need money nor organization but can win because of name recognition alone.
So the top notch democrat brains in the country approached Pete and Amy and told them to get behind Biden ASAP so Russia is unable to achieve its dream of boosting Bernie.
The media is only just catching on. So strange cuz the media is supposed to be on top of things but they are proving to be the laggards as in 2016, playing catch up with the rest of the country.
3
It is more like raving, not roaring.
2
Big win for joe biden. He can now mount a challenge to a very desperate trump who may be colluding with putin even now. Trump is a criminal. His offenses range from making many libellous statements, racism, discriminating against and attacking latinos, blacks, asians and women verbally and with his policies, tax fraud, and cheating in elections which is disqualifying.
One reason that President Obama did not endorse Joe Biden is because he knows what will soon become uncovered. From son Hunter and Joe's family members making millions of his elected position to the Ukraine prosecutor in a filmed quid pro quo, to spying on the Trump campaign have your pick. All of these will be exposed by the Trump campaign in addition to Joes unwanted groping as well as the many gaffs and goofs.
Let's not forget, Joe Biden also lied many times to the American people telling them if they like their doctor they could keep their doctor. This is when they shoved Obamacare down the throats of America in the middle of the great recession making it last even longer. They passed Obamacare in the middle of the night on Christmas Eve when they though no one was watching.
15
@P McGrath
I think it's really revealing during the impeachment process the republican senators put a deal on the table to allow for witness testimony, provided they be allowed to call Hunter Biden as a witness. The democrats turned that deal down.
If Hunter Biden has nothing to hide. Why did they do that? This will be an issue that Trump is guarantee to use if Biden wins the nomination. If they have any dirt on Hunter or Joe Biden you can bet they will use it.
@P McGrath Your serving of rumors and framing the Affordable Care Act as if it was unwanted is very dishonest when not wrong.
It is obvious that you have no problem with having a fox in the henhouse too.
1
Bernie Sanders is a left-wing version of Donald Trump - narrow-minded and possessed of a disregard and contempt for a free press that I find very disturbing. And, like Trump, he has refused to be honest and forthcoming about his personal information, including his health records.
Journalists who have been covering Sanders for years in Vermont have found him contemptuous of and punitive and dismissive toward reporters who are simply doing their job. If you don't print what he wants, how he wants it, he cuts you off from any further access. That is his right, but it speaks to an autocratic tendency that I find disturbing.
Because he is also arrogant and selfish, he will almost certainly stay in the race to the bitter end. If we end up with another four years of Donald Trump, we may have Bernie Sanders to thank.
116
This just goes to show that even Democrats realize their platform is unpopular.
They know abolishing ICE is unpopular. They know Medicare for All will lose. They know ‘socialism’ is a non-starter.
And they correctly forecasted a blow out loss with Sanders.
They know their history: McGovern, Mondale. They know what happens when they offer what they truly believe. They get categorically rejected.
So what are they offering here? A return to Obama’s stagnant economy, growing wealth inequality, lip service to political correctness, corporate handouts, and sky high rates of immigration. It’s the same thing they offered with Hillary.
Except with Hillary, Trump was an unknown. And she still lost.
While Biden is likely to lose, I guess it’s better to lose with him than with Bernie though. When Biden goes down, at least the delusional far left can hold out hope for the next election, and can tell themselves that they would’ve won if only they’d been given a chance. This will keep them on board. Without them, the Democrat Party would break apart.
Essentially, the Democrats are sacrificing an election to save their party. But it’s the best option available.
11
@Ben
I would be thrilled to see the Clintonite and Reagan-wannabes gopers in Dem clothing leave the Dem party. They have led this country into division and hate whilst destroying the poor and middle class.
The DNC is poised to hit the self destruct button, I could not be happier. It has been 40 years in the making.
3
@Sierra Morgan A very large portion of the hate and division I have seen has been a result of GOP-lead initiatives and actions, for example, the top 20 congressmen and women who take money from the gun lobby are GOP, the anti-abortion tactic is a routinely GOP move. If there is violence and social division, the GOP, as a user of such and sponsor, is there.
Last night Masha Gessen equated the terms of becoming a candidate from out of this primary system as gambling perfectly illustrated here in comments. Comments here illustrate the concentration of strategic "beatablity" rather than what is going to save us from pollution, privatization and all the legalized money which is just gambler's coffers.
Bernie Sanders is the only candidate to point this (et al) out. That you have to have a certain amount of dollar worth just to step out on a stage. No wonder we have a game show president. Thugs have us playing their game in their house, their way while we drink dirty water and work for stagnant wages till we drop dead.
11
The democratic party needs to find a way to nurture young talent and bring it to prominence. Maybe more opportunity for young unknown politicians to give national speeches and serve in posts with national stature. Or just more constant buzz about talented young politicians so people know who they are.
1
Last night’s resounding message for me is that our country still isn’t ready to elect a woman president. That’s disappointing, but politics and compromise go hand in hand. While I always thought Biden’s time had past, I’ll gladly vote for him in November. I’m certain he’ll surround himself with good people.
4
Before Bloomberg entered the race, I would have called Biden the most corporatist Democratic candidate. The party, motivated primarily by fear, has taken a dramatic rightward shift.
That fear, though well founded, only motivates our oligarchs to give us worse and worse choices. Biden may slow down, but I don't expect him to reverse, our descent into totalitarianism.
Will he address global warming or our other environmental crises? I have no reason to believe that he will.
Will he address income inequality? I doubt it.
Will he do anything about overwhelming student debt? He supported the bankruptcy bill that made that debt inescapable.
Will he do anything about corporations asserting greater and greater control over our information and our lives? I've seen no evidence that he even thinks about those kinds of things.
Will he nominate liberal judges and justices? He will do better than Trump, but if there's anything we don't need it's more Catholics on the Supreme Court (sorry Justice Sotomayor).
Will he be better than Trump? Head and shoulders, but that's a very low bar.
3
Good to know Bloomberg has dropped out and endorsed Biden. Despite Joe Biden’s impressive showing in the Super Tuesday primaries last night, the race is far from over. There are still a number of important primaries in the weeks ahead. Biden campaign still has a lot of work to do. However, Michael Bloomberg’s endorsement is a significant shot in the arm of Biden. If Bloomberg throws full weight of his campaign organization behind Biden, Biden’s nomination could be considered beyond assured.
1
I notice that Sanders supporters, including those commenting here, always talk about his progressive ideas, his passion, etc. But Elizabeth Warren has most, of the same progressive policy positions, including universal healthcare, reducing the obscene disparity of wealth, and some Sanders doesn't have. She also has passion and smarts. What she does not have is Sanders' baggage as a former (or perhaps current) communist sympathizer, his heart problems, his advanced age (79 on election day).
But I don't hear many Sanders supporters singing Warren's praises. I don't know, this is just a wild guess, but could it be because she's a woman? Perhaps da "Bros" are not as progressive as they think.
2
@DanBal
Elizabeth Warren has effectively sold out to the corporate wing of the Democratic Party to receive PAC money to stay in the race and siphon votes from Bernie Sanders.
She is not progressive, as you think. Notice once she got challenged on her Medicare for All policy she changed it. She is progressive in name only, much like Obama.
Wow, Biden will be demolished by Trump in the general. Biden can't even put a sentence together, regardless of his moderate policies. His debate performances have been horrid without anyone attacking him. He calls his wife his sister, he forgets the state he is campaigning in, and he comes off as incoherent. Trump will eat him for lunch.
The fact that the establishment lined up behind him before Super Tuesday and the media's attacks on Bernie will make Biden anathema to Independent voters and those who voted for an anti-establishment candidate in Trump.
The dems would rather support a candidate who is going to get trounced in the general than putting their weight behind a candidate running on progressive policies. But alas, the south and the east coast are moderate havens unlike the west. I've become a bit more cynical after the past couple of days with the way this played out.
East coast and southern states -- might as well be in another country.
4
The democratic machine press is declaring a big Biden victory. But the NYT analysts and CNN talking heads are providing viewers with less than truthful analysis. Take a close look at Texas, which has been declared an upset victory for Biden. Texas shows actually how demographics are changing in a lot of states for the Democratic Party and their future success if they have any true desire of being a party for change.
In 2016, Clinton won Texas, 65% to Bernie’s 33% (936th votes to 476th). This time around Biden, with 97% reporting, has 33% to Bernie’s 30% , 685th to 612 th votes. So for starters, Bernie has done a whole lot better than 2016. Why - because in just four years Texas demographics continue to trend toward being one of the younger voter states and with a growing Hispanic vote.
But this result is not factoring in Warren or arguably Bloomberg. Warren, the other progressive, has 11.4% of the vote or another 233 thousand. That means progressives have taken a combined almost 845th or 45% of the vote in Texas, way more than the 476 thousand Bernie took in 2016.
Bloomberg took another 15% of the vote. Not sure what his vote signifies given his lackluster performance in the debates or what his messaging is in his myriad commercials. Although likely many of his supporters would have chosen Biden over Bernie in his absence, that is not nearly as clear to me as it is that Warren’s progressives would vote for Bernie in her absence.
2
I have to remind myself of the knowing feeling when VP Biden entered the race: if anyone can beat Trump it'll be Biden. Then he went nowhere only to surge after the South Carolina primary. I feel that Biden is the better choice than Sanders to beat Trump and to lead this country - I recall a 10-12 yr old article about multiple world leaders already knowing Joe, no need for introductions. It is time for Warren and Bloomberg to exit stage. I feel that Americans want only a man to go up against Trump but I hope that a woman president will be in our future in 8 years. The million dollar question for me is who will be selected to be the VP? That's an important decision to me - and please pick someone like Pete Buttigieg or Deval Patrick to be your running mate. And, if we're calling Trump the liar that he is it is essential that the Democratic nominee not be a hypocrite and be honestly humble and truthful in his achievements otherwise you will be shredded to pieces.
1
What's most telling to me is Sanders losing states he won in 2016: Oklahoma, Minnesota and potentially Maine. While he has solidified his support in a few Democratic strongholds, he's lost support over a more broad electorate. I don't have a favorite candidate - I just want to beat Trump badly. Increasingly, I don't think Sanders can beat Trump.
4
To Bernie supporters: Biden may actually get you the progressive changes you want sooner than a Bernie candidacy will. Trump will beat Bernie because too many Americans are suspicious of the word “socialist.” That Biden won red states suggests he would do better at helping candidates down ballot and at winning swing voters and the crucial suburban women. If Biden beats Trump (and this is far more likely than Sanders beating Trump) and Democrats win the House and Senate, we can see bills in gun control, health care, minimum wage, maybe even college tuition reach the desk of the president. You think Biden won’t sign them? We need the House and Senate as much as we need the White House, and Bernie can’t make that happen. But Bernie needs to stop telling voters that the Democratic Party doesn’t want to see better health care, etc. We need to unite.
7
@Galfrido
"We need to unite."
Sorry not gonna happen. Trump will win in 2020. repblicans will continue win presidential elections and probably control at least one house of Congress until every last Boomer centrist and moderate is dead and buried.
@Galfrido
Excellent comment, & 1 that Sanders absolutely must convince his Bros to accept.
We shall see if he puts country first, & does just that.
People under 40 aren't going to forget that the baby boomer generation betrayed them in 2020. Millions of seniors who have Medicare and no student debt (and who won't be alive for the worst consequences of climate change) decided to rally behind a mummified segregationist to stop their grandchildren from being able to afford to go to the dentist.
8
@Paul Explain why blacks overwhelmingly embraced Biden, if he's a segregationist. It's not seniors, it's blacks who did it.
2
@Paul 62 year old voter here. The tail end of the baby boomer generation. I have a 10 year old daughter and I care deeply about her future and the health of the planet she will live in. I would like to see everyone in the country with proper health care and affordable options for college, like I had. However, I have been around long enough to know that a 'magic man' will not make that happen by shouting incessantly about it. It will take coordination, persuasion and political skill to move forward on these issues - qualities sorely lacking in Sanders. Please don't be so dismissive of others who did not vote the way you wanted. We want many of the same things. We just have different ideas on how to accomplish them.
2
My takeaway from Super Tuesday is:
Latino voters need to stop allowing white and black voters to dictate their lives. I get we (Latinos) aren't a monolith in our political values and beliefs, but the numbers at which the group as a whole turns out is underwhelming and the reason we have no political power. We, as a group, are an afterthought and it angers me that my people don't care enough to vote.
Young people, I admire their optimism and hope. I remember being that young adult who wanted to change the world, and I still do, even though I have nowhere near the energy of my youth. It is not enough to only want change, you have to make it happen by participating. How many young adults didn't bother to show up yesterday? If you want systematic change make it happen and don't ask for permission.
Older people (65 ) need to stop being selfish. Not everything is about you. You've had your chance to get an education (without massive debt) and find a decent job even if you didn't. You've had your chance to fall in love and start a family, buy a decent home, and maybe save for retirement. You've had a chance at a better life than your parents may have had. You've lived the bulk of your life, with your children, without worrying that the planet was nearing it's expiration date at a rapid speed. You got to believe in the possibility of the "American Dream". What about those who have yet to start their lives? Do they not deserve the same?
10
Let's not forget that Warren and Bloomberg siphoned off a lot of votes that most likely would have gone to Bernie.
And Buttigieg, Klobuchar and O'Rourke may just have propped up a lost cause.
Bernie's popularity is a sign of the times; he's got the momentum. His platform that speaks to this country's needs and concerns.
Biden, like Hillary, does not inspire. The Dems have got to run a candidate who does.
Go Bernie!
4
@Kat Go Bernie is exactly right...go as far away as possible.
2
Alright, Biden it is. Not even my 10th choice, but here we are. The goal hasn’t changed. Send Trump packing and restore some semblance of dignity to the White House. And while we’re at, flip the Senate.
9
Tell the divisive, antagonistic squad to take a break. Surprised more are not looking at the damage they've caused for Sanders (Tlaib booing HRC being a slap to many who supported her in the last election) though Sanders himself is plain not electable.
4
If you look at the vote totals from Biden, Buttigieg, and Bloomberg, two candidates who are no longer in the race, Sanders actually lost California. Maybe it's time for Sanders to drop out, before he is embarrassed in the Midwest/Middle Atlantic states and tell his Bros to back Biden. Otherwise he will be to blame if Trump is reelected. Let us not forget what just happened in Israel.
3
Until Bernie can show me a viable plan for winning Wisconsin, Michigan, and Pennsylvania in November, I’m staying with Biden.
2
When the "Bernie Bros" start vandalizing Biden campaign offices will the media report it?
2
“God has a special providence for fools, drunkards, and the United States of America.”
--- Otto von Bismarck
I was beginning to doubt it, but woke up this morning thinking old Otto may have been right.
3
As a Frenchman, I like to keep up with American politics. It really puts things into perspective. We have so many problems in France, but watching the binfire of American democracy crackle and pop brings me some comfort. Yours is such a peculiar nation. It would all be funny if you weren't such a bunch of warmongering polluters.
7
If/when Biden gets elected president, he will be another Bush 2.0 - a puppet president who has his VP/staff run the country. They will only hope that he can stand still and read a teleprompter without flubbing.
2
@Jane Doe So, hopefully he will pick a great VP.
1
And just like that Trump got re-elected.
6
I hate to say it, but the tone of some of you Bernie supporters makes me even happier to cast a vote for Joe Biden. Telling fellow Democrats they're stupid or uninformed or in bed with corporate interests is no way to attract them to your "revolution."
And frankly, the more this race continues, the more I see Biden as being the truly workable path to progressive gains. And more than likely, he will also be the one to usher the first woman into the White House.
GO JOE!
8
Of course, he could not bring the progressive gain during his 8 years as VP, but will bring now.
I really think Warren being in the race gave Biden - Mass, Maine & Minn.
5
@Doctor Woo
That was the plan of the powers within the Democratic Party leadership.
The one thing that I haven’t heard a Sanders’ supporter say is “why hasn’t he expanded his voters beyond his base?”
5
So what if Biden is boring. The day to day job of a president is boring. We tried excitement and the Hollywood star thing, first with Reagan, now with Trump. How did that work out?
13
Note Trump and Reagan is/were in the WH, Biden is not yet.
@agmnw they both won
It will be interesting to see who wins Wisconsin. There are still plenty of delegates out there. Bernie could still prevail. I want Bernie to continue on to win delegates. Then moderates will not be able to ignore that people want more. Once Warren ends her campaign, Bernie could still get a boost.
Bernie would have to pick a moderate VP and Biden would have to pick a progressive VP. This is important for each of them to acknowledge. Clinton made a huge mistake ignoring the progressive wing of the democratic party.
4
It seems like the wild-eyed left-wingers in Massachusetts are more rational than the wild-eyed left wingers in California
7
Trump's only chance at winning in 2020 is if Bernie is on the ticket in November. That is his only chance. That is why Trump is doing everything he can, right now, to tout Bernie over everyone else, and to increase the chances that voters will tip the scales towards Bernie, to keep Bernie's hopes alive so that Bernie does not drop out.
Wake up Bernie. You are out of it for the Democratic party nomination - Out. There is no way you win the democratic nomination, and no way you win as an independent.
Can you not see this?
Four more years of Trump would break our country's, and the world's, back.
Put your ego in your back pocket; do what's best for the nation and get out of this thing now.
Have a heart for our country and the world, Bernie. Please, please bow out of this.
10
I actually think Biden will lose the election. He is boring, his programs do not attract young people, he has a huge negative baggage, not to mention he connect with era that at end produced Trump's win. He may attract moderate Reps, but these Reps will vote for Reps down the ballot, so even if( and that is big IF) he wins he may end up with the Rep Congress.
1
If one matches the Sanders/Warren vote against the Biden/Bloomberg vote, the S/W vote wins 6 states which is slightly better than the four that Sanders won by himself. The two additional states are Maine and Massachusetts. What does this mean? Perhaps Sanders and Warren will fight on as one ticket? I hope they do. It is too early for the progressive left to capitulate to the old guard corporatist Democrats. I would urge Sanders and Warren to fight on all the way through the convention. If Warren will not suspend her campaign and endorse Sanders then there is no path forward for the Sanders presidency.
12
@tony If Sanders joins Biden, the ticket is stronger.
3
@Bailey. Biden/Sanders? Bernie’s ego would never go for that. How about Biden/ Warren? Or Biden /Klobuchar?
2
Biden/Bernie, and even Biden/ Warren will be ridiculous just because the age. Biden/Klobuchar do not have much appeal for Sanders supporters. On the other hand Sanders/Klobuchar could work, although Sanders/Abrams will be better to address appeal to the African-Americans. Biden needs some progressive Latino as the VP
Ok, I have to say I am surprised byt maybe I should not be. After all, both Sanders and Bloomberg were hyped up recently primarily by the media and their strength was significantly exaggerated. This is particularly the case for Bloomberg. And if Sanders cannot even win Democratic primaries against someone like Biden, he has no business running in the general. This is a done deal: Biden is the nominee. After three years of the anti-Trump movement, he is the best candidate the Democrats can muster and that is unbelievable. It will be a hard fight in November and the outcome is far from guaranteed.
5
@Hawk, Democrats hace many amazing candidates: Pete Buttigieg, Kamala Harris, Amy Klobuchar, Elizabeth Warren, Cory Booker! Brilliant leaders, all! However, THE voters decided they want either Bernie or Joe. Both men, FAR better leaders than Trump will ever be!
Why is nobody addressing the fact that Warren costed the progressive movement a wide spread victory yesterday? States such as Massachusetts, Minnesota and Texas would have been completely different stories if she followed the same paths that Klobuchar and Buttigieg did after South Carolina. The reality that this became a two person race was clear after Saturday and the moderates of the Democratic party understood this while the progressives stayed divided. "SAD!"- as our real enemy would say.
11
You comment that Warren should have stepped down. What about Bloomberg? Didn’t that also impact the Democratic Party on Super Tuesday?
1
@Deborah Stambler Bloomberg's 15 percent of the overall votes clearly will have an impact moving forward after his resignation and endorsement of Biden. However, when examining state by state results, key states such as those stated earlier were clearly more affected by Warren than Bloomberg and could have been Sanders victories if she had dropped out earlier.
@Deborah Stambler Bloomberg's 15 percent of the overall votes clearly will have an impact moving forward after his resignation and endorsement of Biden. However, when examining state by state results, key states such as those stated earlier were clearly more affected by Warren than Bloomberg and could have been Sanders victories if she had dropped out earlier. MA Warren 21 Bloomberg 12, Minnesota Warren 15 Bloomberg 8, to give you specific numbers.
Bernie gets the interloper treatment at last.
Biden will need a very supportive VP nominee. One wishes he were younger.
3
There has been so much bad news lately. Finally some good news . .
No more medicare for all, 90% income tax rates, annual wealth taxes, tech companies required to operate as utilities, slavery reparations, halving the defense budget, cancelling NAFTA/USMCA, amnesty/open borders decriminalization, abolish nuclear power, student debt cancellation, etc.
All those ill conceived, pie-in-the-sky ideas are hopefully off the table. Maybe moderate Democrats can now focus on practical solutions to pressing problems like the cost structure of health care, the cost structure of higher education, paid maternity leave, universal pre-K, the porous border and incremental (and Constitutional) income tax increases.
2
Biden-Sanders ticket? Biden-Warren? Sanders-Warren? Please, enough moderation. Time to catch up to humane nations that understand health is as vital as education; criminal justice shouldn’t have a color; guns kill, so there must be training before owning; wages should be livable; schools, churches, cities, states, nations should be safe; war should be a last resort. So many other things to catch up.
1
Let's look at some of the "winning" arguments the Bernie people will promote and support:
1. Severely restrict the ownership of all guns.
2. Take away health care from millions of Americans who
traded wages for good benefits, and give them, instead:
3. Universal free health care.
4. Universal, free college.
5. Open borders and benefits to all who enter the U.S.
All of this, will of course, be passed and paid for by the Congress of the United States-- and in a timely manner. What wonderful ideas--truly. And now, wake up.
4
@democrat123
Now, wake up to the fact that any chance of unifying the Democratic Party to defeat Donald Trump is over.
@Carl
I'm curious as to your reasoning. Please explain why?
I don't understand what is so anathema about Bernie and Biden joining forces and uniting a team of rivals to crush Mr Trump. Perhaps Mr Sanders contaminates Mr Bidens not-so-progressive reputation, or maybe it's the other way around, but I believe most Americans want Mr Trumps next term to be served in prison. "Russia if you're listening...", China if you can year me..." that alone should serve as unification against Mr TRussia. "What Just Happened?" is that the only voters that can unite against this presidential virus are the voters united behind Bernie and Biden.
1
The young and healthy part of the population vote for universal healthcare, but the old people who would benefit most from their solidarity just rejected it.
10
@Ann, we will get to universal healthcare, eventually. But not the way Bernie plans to do it. Even if Bernie is elected POTUS he won’t be able to pass Medicare for all through the legislature. The president is not a dictator, and majority of Americans with private healthcare don’t want their healthcare to go away!
3
The orchestra was barely visible, and it seems like it ends in an oddly quick way.
Not a satisfying outcome for me.
Biden didn't have to undergo constant attacks from his fellow candidates as he will soon from those opposed to him on the trump side.
Any of four or five others would I have preferred.
3
Congrats to Biden.
What’s very obvious is the age gap. The older generation was hearing the constant attacks on Sanders while the younger generation gathers their information asynchronous through alternate internet sources.
The main stream media got their guy. He is highly vulnerable on the general election.
An example of the moderate bias is the cost of M4A. Yet we hear nothing about it before the lead up. Only negative articles constantly.
“Multiple studies show Medicare for All would be cheaper than public option pushed by moderates
Yale and Harvard researchers: Medicare for All reduces costs, while public option makes health care more expensive” - Salon
Are you going to ask Biden how he can afford the more expensive public option?
9
How about preventative care for all? Happy medium and could prevent the crushing cost of emergency room visits to deal with crises that could have been caught and treated early and easily. Insurance can cover the rest.
1
Biden’s win is very significant in the states he carried. These are the places that collectively will make up a win in the electoral college.
These are the states that need to be won down ballot and Biden has a much better chance of delivering them.
So Bernie wins California. it really doesn’t do anything in the general election. In my opinion,
California is not going Trump, no matter who is the democratic nominee.
Time to realistic and stop bickering.
Bernie is poised to be a spoiler. His gestalt is the left version of Trump.
5
It appears Sanders took a plurality in California. Sanders, so far, is believed to have 137 delegates while Biden, Warren and Bloomberg have a total of 257. These of course are preliminary counts but to say Sanders won California is misleading in my opinion.
1
Ca is still not close to being finished in vote counting. Still when I ran the NYT voter figures from the other states, it is painfully clear that the majority of Democrats voted against Sanders. Last night, the local L.A. TV stations were at Biden,Warren, and Sanders gatherings. The Biden and Wareen people there were supporting their candidate, but agreed the main focus was defeating Trump. The Sanders people had more than a few telling the tv/radio reporters that they would just sit home and not vote at all, if their Bernie was not the candidate.That tells you everything about Sanders and the people he has attracted.
5
Your comment is exactly what worries me, about the Sanders supporters. They support their candidate, and will not support America. Which is why we, Democrats, keep saying “Vote Blue No Matter Who” ....FOR America.
2
Once again the "youth" vote failed to materialize, while the "old" vote was there as always. Any politician who caters to the youth vote will always be disappointed.
6
@lonnie, maybe, but I’m convinced that Democrats will get the vote out. Like during the Obama campaigns, we are fired up, ready to take the White House and Senate back from traitors and crooks!
1
What all this shows is a lack of leadership and voters who are easily influenced by the biased media. Biden is a has been and doesnt have the stamina to go up against President Trump. Also candidates should not be allowed to enter a race late in the game because they have money and mess things up, first it isnt fair to those who worked hard for months to get there , and there should be limits put on the amount of money you can spend to keep the playing field fair.
1
@Eddy, FYI: the “biased media” had not much to say about Joe Biden! They were telling America that Joe’s campaign was on its last legs! We, the People VOTED and Joe won!
1
Maybe, just maybe, not everyone WANTS a revolution. The last few years have been revolting enough. No more chaos, lower the anxiety temperature. Over the last week it's become clear to me: if he were still alive, we would vote for Mr. Rogers for President. Joe Biden is that. He will hire "the best people" and mean it. He is the complete opposite of DJT. Bernie is the same coin held upside down.
5
Joe Biden is not perfect but realistically he has the best chance to defeat Trump. What would be important is for him to nominate Kamala Harris as VP.
1
I am afraid this means another 4 years of Trump. What can I say, Biden does not have the vision or plan or action or ability or energy or enough support to beat Trump.
4
Bloomberg is out after winning 44 delegates at a cost of approximately $11.5 million per delegate. His supporters will flock for the most part to Biden.
It is time for Warren to do the same to consolidate the progressive field and to set up a two-person race representing both wings of the Democratic Party. It is not your time, Elizabeth. It may never be. You're not the only one who has to live with that.
Mike, your money could make the difference in the campaign for the Democrats and that might be your lasting legacy. We need to Dump Trump to save the soul of America.
5
I'm sorry, but "blue no matter who" isn't gonna cut it for me, a voter in a solid-blue state. If you want my vote, you'll have to earn it. Biden isn't even trying.
Maybe one day "courting the progressive vote" will be the new "appealing to moderate voters." Until then, only down-ticket progressives will get my support.
5
Warren and Sanders rocket would have been great. I hope Democrats know what they are doing. I hope it won't be a landslide for Trump.
2
The tragedy of this whole campaign was that two candidates (Bloomberg/Steyer) fed the american media over three quarters of a billion in advertising dollars that could have provided countless thousands of college students a debt free education.. What a shame.. Hopefully this will end the notion that a wealthy individual can buy a Presidential nomination..
3
With Bloomberg out all we need now is for Warren to stay in and keep Bernie down. The Democratic nominee should be a real Democrat who is at least a registered member of the party as Joe Biden is.
1
How ironic, Biden saved by Southern states, NONE of which will vote for him in November.
4
@Sparky Jones
Biden was saved by socially and politically conservative voters. I'd expect Biden to move even more to the right for the general election, if he wins the nomination.
The Democratic Party has become republican-lite.
I think it's time for progressives to read the handwriting on the wall and get out of the Democratic Party.
Lightning and thunder on Super Tuesday!
Bernie has made is case, Democrats are not buying, as evidenced by a diverse and decisive win across a majority of states yesterday. Joe is inclusive, expansive and optimistic, Bernie and the AOC gang would rather cancel those recalcitrants who oppose them.
Prediction for the convention, joe smiling on the stage, while Bernie clapping in the nose bleeds!
THUNDER!
1
@Skeptic
Along for a defeat for Biden in the general election.
It's time for progressives to leave the Democratic Party.
Not seeing the DNC conspiracy the Sanders camp is, yet again, claiming. It’s been clear since Iowa that Sanders turn out is down, not up. If your supporters can’t be bothered to vote in the primaries....
3
Have never seen all the talking heads at CNN so jolly. They look like they just won a big lottery. Aren't they supposed to be impartial?
5
Mayor Mike Bloomberg blew it BIG. His advisors should pay him back the millions he wasted.
Mr. Bloomberg should have based his candidacy on the terrific job he did as mayor for 12 years, keeping the city safe, keeping predominantly black neighborhoods safe and seeing Realestate in those sections soar, passing on a financially sound city to the next mayor.
What did Mr. Bloomberg do? He went on an apology tour, totally weakening his accomplishments. There was nothing to apologize for, show strength in explaining how bad the 1980’s and early 90‘s were and own up to the fact he was a great administrator.
Now he is perceived as a spineless and unprincipled.
1
If and when Biden gets the nom and loses there will be one, and only one reason why: Bernie Sanders and all progressives. Even if every single Sanders supporter showed up to vote and volunteer and donate, they would be blamed. That is on the level of gravity in terms of predictability. And of course many will, wrongly, stay home if it's Biden. So there will be enough of a reality to ride that, and the progressive movement, into the dirt, and out of DC, pretty much forever. All future Trump travesties will be laid at Bernie and the prog's feet. For all time. This is the real pincer move.
If Biden gets the nom and wins, it will be despite Sanders and progs; it'll be less vicious, but that'll be the meme.
If Sanders gets the nom and loses, ditto. And the Democrats clearly would rather lose to Trump and keep the gravy train going than win with Sanders.
The effort being put forth to prevent keeping 68,000 people a year from dying from no or bad healthcare, to save billions on that, to create and enact a real plan to get us off carbon, and all the rest of the sane things Sanders and progs want should be telling.
And people are scared into buying it. Because Sanders is a Communist Marxist Sexist, et al, who can't beat Trump despite all evidence to the contrary. No, we'll go with the walking mini-stroke victim who is a poster child for everything the bipartisan establishment got wrong since I was born 50 years ago.
Because gravy train. I'm sure Trump won't capitalize on that.
2
“DNC CONSPIRACY” is self-evident when Amy and Pete immediately threw their support to Biden. It’s 2016 all over again for Bernie and a viable Third Party. The 2 party status quo rules!
4
This Californian did not vote for Bernie, I can tell you that. I am relieved that Biden made a comeback. Bernie is a complete turn-off. I am tired of angry old white guys---give us a break. Biden is far more experienced and has a better record politically in terms of service. I can't even imagine Bernie's foreign policy, which he rarely mentions. He's a one-man band that plays the same tune over and over again.
5
I'm tired of careful. I'm sick of the phony electibility argument. The Dem establishment triangulates itself into strangulation. The only thing Biden has is his mythical electibility and his former job as Obama's VP. It's shaping up to be 2016 all over again, as Democrats try to transform themselves into Rebublican-lite. Biden in. I'm out.
5
1. Most of the states Biden won in don’t matter because they’re deep red;
2. The only reason Biden won Massachusetts, Maine, Minnesota and Texas is that Buttigieg and Klobuchar dropped out and Warren didn’t;
3. “Winning” is an inaccurate term in any case because these aren’t winner-take-all contests.
But keep telling yourself that Biden is on an inevitable path to beat Trump - by using the same metrics that convinced you that Hillary had it in the bag four years ago.
5
California has 415 delegates and has not yet been called.
1
Much more than a president, Americans need courses in ethical independent thinking.
7
@Lawrence Chanin Well-said. The media made Obama president. The media made Trump president. The media are making Biden the nominee. But the media will make Trump president again.
1
I voted for Warren. But I will vote for any Democrat who wins the nomination, however flawed the process is (and it is). I had friends who voted third partly in 2016 or stayed home because “Hilary is the kind of corporate shill as Trump.” They admitted they were wrong, but I’m already hearing the same rhetoric.
I am not going to despair and say we’re going to lose. I’m not giving up. And I am sure as heck not going to stay home if I don’t love the candidate. Those who stay home in a fit of pique deserve to have Trump come live at their house.
3
Let the youngest man win!
bloomberg will go rogue - independent
Biden/Sanders 2020. Unstoppable.
Why is this chart so misleading on delegate counts...they are awarded prorata so why not add a column and show how many were won by each candidate. This is not winner takes all. Missed opportunity on infographics..
The Times tried to put the best face on it for Sanders, but there’s no getting around it: this was a massive rejection of Sanders and his politics of rage, division and exclusion.
The public understands there will be no progress in this country while we remain divided. If we are to address issues of inequality, health care, gun violence and climate change, we must first come together.
There is no better candidate to begin this process of healing than Joe Biden. For that very reason, there’s no better candidate to beat Trump. And Trump knows it.
3
I agree these are not the two inspiring candidates, given the young and diverse energy of 2018. The U.S. really has trouble moving past old white guys.
But we also must remember we’re electing a party, not just an individual, and all that young and diverse energy can flourish and move us forward with the Democrats in charge of all branches of government.
If it’s four more years of Trump, say goodbye to democracy and to any chance of mitigating climate change. So vote blue, no matter who.
127
@David Sanders has introduced ideas that until recently were totally outside the mainstream political spectrum. He has made socialism not a dirty word. Tens of thousands of people come to his rallies and he has energized a base that includes most young Democrats and Latinos, and a large number of young black people. Nobody cares if he's old and white. Not everybody's vision of politics consists checking identity boxes.
4
@MK The young did not turn out yesterday in the numbers they did in 2016, so the idea that Bernie is going to expand the electorate by having the young vote does not have empirical support.
6
@David Good news for Trump. Biden is even more un-electable than Bernie. Unless he is reading off a tele-prompter his speeches are filled with gaffes that reflect someone bordering on dementia. He needs a dementia screening before he goes further.
1
I loved and admired Warren and have been baffled all along the primaries by how far behind she was coming in the first runs of the primaries. My admiration for her is going to turn around very soon if she does not have the wisdom to quit very soon. There is no way she can make it. She's just throwing money away and taking votes away from Sanders. Maybe this is her point, one starts to believe, to divide the progressive wing of the party. Time to leave like a dame and a good player.
8
I, too, wonder why Warren can’t win. That’s wrong; I know why. Women won’t win until the old, white guard and its fossilized thinking disappear.
1
This sudden mass migration to Biden seems to be really voting based on fear - based on who you don't want rather than who you do. We don't want Trump (never Trump), but we don't think Bernie can beat him (Never Bernie), so we'll take 'That guy over there.' Never mind that he has difficulty stringing a sentence together.
Warren can skate circles around both of these guys, it's disappointing.
I am not fond of Sanders - he has bad energy that makes me distrust him - but I would vote for him over Biden simply because this double negative calculus that the democrats are engaging in is so devoid of a vision. This is not a winning strategy for the general election. 'What is then' is a good question at this point, but I think going with Biden because we don't want Sanders, instead of because we actually like Biden, is conceding defeat right at the beginning, and playing to Trump's tune.
16
@Erin: The Democratic Party doesn't even advocate democracy for the three federal elective offices, Congressperson, Senator, and President.
Under the existing system, Democrats need a preponderance of turnout to win. Why not use this issue to drive up turnout?
@Steve Bolger I don't think it's one or the other. Obama had a vision, and he was electable. I don't want to engage in this horsetrack betting, the way that currently seems to be happening. I want a candidate who I can believe in, not the one who I 'can't sort of not' believe in, two degrees removed. This is governing with one's hands tied behind one's back. Trump has a vision, sort of, or at least he telegraphs it. It is a dishonest and self-serving one. But insofar as it is, it's not calculating. He does what's best for number 1, and voters identify with him and go with him. Vision (and conviction) win, not hedging our bets, IMO.
The Republican states went for Biden as expected. Bernie should have won Maine and Minnesota convincingly though. It’s not going to happen for Sanders.
I’m afraid his legacy is in limbo. Bloomberg was trying to meet in the middle but Biden has been nothing but dismissive of the progressive wing. I hope the DNC realizes they need to talk some sense into Biden because Warren and Sanders represent a massive amount of voters he can’t afford to upset.
8
@Liz I think you’ll see Biden reaching out to progressives, because he knows he needs them. If Bernie had reached out to moderates when he held the lead, instead of continuing to run against them, he would be the presumptive nominee now. Building coalitions does not appear to be Sanders’s strength.
3
@Liz Bernie didn't win Massachusetts either. Neither did Warren. It was her home state! Biden will have a progressive agenda and a progressive running mate. Warren and Sander's supporters need to recognize that they just didn't win -- no conspiracy -- the voters spoke. Now let's beat Trump and return to civility.
2
The Democrats, and perhaps the nation, have stepped back from the precipice.
It not clear to me if yesterday's outcome was the voters speaking, or if backroom politics played a role in persuading Klobuchar and Buttigieg to withdraw. In any case, Democrats can take solace in knowing that the folks behind the curtain are a far more diverse crowd than they once were.
Neither Sanders nor Warren could beat Trump, and if they did, the likely effects would be disastrous for our economy. History has shown time and time again that a socialist, centrally managed economy does not work. Check out the Soviet Union, or for a more current example closer to home, Venezuela. Capitalism has its problems to be sure, and it must be regulated. A well conceived wealth tax would be a good thing. But the extreme economic policies of the far Democratic left would fail miserably.
I'm not sure Biden was the best of the moderates, but he would likely be a good president. He will surround himself with bright people, and follow their advice when appropriate.
I hope the Democrats don't take both houses of Congress. The identity politics, feelings of perpetual victimization, and support of excess regulation that characterize modern liberal politics worry me. Bipartisanship would be a much better alternative to an all-liberal government.
But, thankfully, I now see a path forward.
@Alex A post filled with misinformation. If your viewpoint is that a Warren administration would be anything other than a regulated capitalist market then you are well off base. If your viewpoint is that a Sanders administration would look anything like the Soviet Union (???) or Venezuela (?) then you are similarly incorrect.
Warren is a capitalist through and through. Sanders is a democratic socialist with very moderate politics relative to many socialist nations around the world with a clear goal of providing essential services to the needy among us. That is a winning message, and it comes from a candidate who is universally trusted and respected for his consistency and advocacy for marginalized groups.
Conversely Biden is on his last mental legs, he can barely string a sentence together and he is Hillary 2.0 - but somehow with less defined policy positions and vision.
If we're going to be objective, both Sanders and Biden have a slight lead over Trump in general election polling. But either candidate is going to struggle to beat such a popular incumbent who has an astronomical war chest. The democratic party is going to pay for their cowardice, they aren't willing to roll the dice on a populist candidate and will suffer the same fate they did in 2016. You absolutely hate to see it, but it shouldn't be a surprise to any of us to watch the DNC shoot themselves in the face.
We McGovern supporters were really angry at the older and establishment Democrats who wanted another candidate in '72, but our idealism and enthusiasm prevailed and we got our way. That's why most of us support Biden this time around given the alternatives. Give him a term or two to help the country return to some sense of equilibrium, normalcy and healing, win back the Senate majority so some progressive goals can be achieved, and then there'll be plenty of time for Sanders supporters and others to bring new younger and more progressive candidates into Congress and leadership positions in the Executive and Judicial branches. Biden is our best chance to get rid of Mitch McConnell and the Republican Senate majority. Without that, no progressive legislation will come to fruition, whether a Medicare-like public option, low-cost or free community college, or student loan relief of some sort. All you have to do is look at yesterday's results to know that Sanders would have no chance to win in November. Tough to accept I understand, but reality. I personally know several Republican converts to registered Independent status who will vote for Biden but stay home on November 3rd if it's Sanders. Enthusiastically support whomever the Dem nominee is (likely Biden) or be prepared for a future of three branches of government dedicated to turning your country into an autocratic plutocracy with theocratic overtones. Everything the majority of your parents and grandparents fought against.
5
You really have a nerve to bring up McGovern, considering devastation 2016 that moderate candidate inflicted on Dems. Contrary to McGovern, in 2016 Dems lost not only the Presidency but the Congress as well. As result we ended up with the Conservative court, massive tax cut and weaken the safety net. And now you are pushing the candidate who is a carbon copy of one that lost in 2016. That is scary.
1
I am a sixty-nine year old, life-long Democrat. I will be casting my vote for Bernie in my Washington primary next week. If Bernie is not the nominee in November, I will still "vote blue, no matter who", because Trump and the Republicans are an existential threat to American democracy. However, that will be the last time I will vote for a "republican lite" candidate. Henceforth, I will support democratic socialist candidates in an effort to return power to the people.
13
Both Bernie and Joe owe part of their success yesterday to the Party. Had the Democratic Party note shown Klobuchar and Buttegieg the door, different results. It was 2016 all over again. Why don’t we just let the parties choose and not waste time and money on these phony primaries?
6
We don't want look as complete oligarchy where people are only allowed to vote for the candidates chosen by oligarchs.
Let’s not be fooled by Trump’s comments. They are completely self serving endeavouring to sow resentment and anger in Bernie supporters to suppress their turnout in November. He will do the same for Biden supporters if Sanders takes it. There is no fear of Biden or hope for a Sanders nomination in his comments ... it is 100% intended to breed dissent and polarization between progressives and moderates. Trump’s underlying motives need to be reported on ... what he means NOT what he literally says.
3
There are quite a few comments claiming that Bernie would excel on the debate stage against Trump, whereas Biden will supposedly will fall flat on his face. While I agree that may have a piece of truth, it’s important to remember that in 2016, Clinton ran circles around Trump in the debates. He was asked questions about his inappropriate past actions and at the time critics assessed that he performed very poorly. Yet still he won. That signals to me that debate performance in this GA cycle won’t be nearly as important. It matters more to have a unifying candidate that brings together the electorate and people on the fence. Super Tuesday shows why Biden is stronger in in that aspect with the diverse set of voters that propelled him to victory, especially in swing states like mine!
6
Did we watch the same debates? I remember Trump trouncing Hillary in the debates. She was stiff and rehearsed. She didn’t fight back. Trump destroyed her.
@Phil And people forget how masterfully Biden destroyed Palin. Biden is the best path forward and honestly I don’t think anyone will be deciding their vote based on debates or messaging. I think it will be a straight “Dem and Tired-of-Trump votes Dem” and “Trumplican votes Trump.”
1
This primary provides yet another example of why rank-order voting in the election would sort out the extremes quickly and come to the middle ground where most voters lie. If the Republicans had used rank-order voting in their 2016 primary, Trump loses. That in itself warrants a closer look at that process.
9
Bernie proved last night in his speech that he is going to do to Biden and the Democratic Party what he did in 2016. Time for him to go along with his divisive rhetoric against the Democratic Party and other candidates.
4
Bloomberg out. Warren needs to do likewise. Neither has any chance. 2 man race. Which is good for the process and will provide clarity to the process. The sooner the better.
2
As expected, there are lots of letters bemoaning Biden's emergence as the front runner and likely nominee. I suppose it's okay to be momentarily disappointed that your alternate candidate didn't prevail. I am, too.
But as reasonable voters with their eye on the big picture have said all along, let's get a nominee and then support whomever it is to the hilt.
I pray that the nominee will be wise enough to assemble a dazzling team of rivals that will enable the younger hopefuls high governmental experience and be ready four years later to take up the mantle and bring about more change that this country desperately needs.
In the interval, the next Democratic president will have so much to do to repairing the damage the republicans have done and are doing.
Be disappointed for a day or so, but then get behind the nominee to rout the evil forces that are now in power.
And I am thankful that this interminable primary business is drawing to a close. Any one of the hopefuls would make a far more suitable president.
7
Joe Biden is by far the right choice to defeat Trump and to work with Congress to, once again, move this country in the right direction. Unlike Hillary Clinton, Joe Biden has the ability to pull most factions together to work for the common good. Bernie Sanders and his cult of followers are just too extreme, albeit well intentioned, and Sanders does not have the ability to work with those who do not agree with him in its entirety.
5
If younger voters would sit out rather than vote for Biden, that’s on them. Biden has an incredibly compelling personal story that he needs to string into a narrative. He needs to better articulate what he would do. He has run a crummy campaign so far and that’s inexcusable. But he doesn’t have a crummy record, nor does he lack a vision for the country. He’s a good guy, who cares and can lead. He just needs to pull it together and work harder.
So let’s not complain that he’s safe or boring or can’t grab voters. Obviously he can. So let’s help him win.
4
Pretty disappointing night really. Biden is possibly the most uninspiring candidate that isn't a billionaire and I seriously question his ability to get people excited enough to come out and vote in November.
Add to that most of his support last night came from red states and I worry we'll being seeing another four years of Trump.
7
@Scott McElroy
The good news is Trump motivates people to vote like no one else.
2
All hail the wisdom of the electorate!
Yes, Joe is too old and too often befuddled.
Yes, we support Medicare for All.
But our vision is NOT more important than ousting Trump -- the clear and present danger.
Voters rightly knew Sanders could not do this. Voters had the common sense to see down-ballot.
Evolution, not revolution.
3
I disagree. And I think America deserves to fall if it refuses to use its vast ecologic and economic (taxpayer money) resources to ensure healthcare, safety and protection for its citizens, and lead the world in a green new deal. Americans want to support billionaires and corporations? So be it. They will end up like China and Russia. If Biden is the nominee I’ll vote third-party.
3
@Misplaced Modifier
Thank you for that tantrum: "If I don't get my way, I'll burn the house down, I don't care who suffers!"
Voltaire's adage "Don't make perfect the enemy of good", assuming you ever encountered it, seems not to have registered with you.
You will forgive the rest of us if we keep chipping away.
Have you actually studied Chinese or Russian history? I'm guessing not, probably the right decision for you. Knowledge is such a troublesome thing, makes it difficult to take extremist positions.
Let’s see if Biden can unite. If he continues to dismiss the progressive wing and their ideas entirely, it’s not too late to change our minds.
5
The Democratic career politicians are pleased. If Biden were to win, it will be four more years of corporate Democrats accomplishing little for the lives of working Americans.
10
Capitalism has been the basis of the American economy since the first colonies were established 400 years ago. Even the Democratic Party is not going to allow a socialist to win their nomination knowing that for the foreseeable future, the US is not ready to embrace the so-called democratic socialist agenda.
2
It’s a multi-issue race.
Bernie works to give our citizens what every other industrialized, capitalist nation gives their citizens: universal healthcare. He believes in the Green New Deal to put Americans back to work in high paying jobs to save the world. Bernie champions economic, social, environmental and voting justice.
As for Joe, I look at his record on Iraq +
1. He championed the New Jim Crow incarceration laws for over 30 years that predominantly African Americans, destroying families, putting people away for decades mostly for non-violent crimes and he backed 3 strikes.
2. He championed the 2005 Bankruptcy bill that netted the TBTF banks, credit card companies, payday lenders hundreds of billions by stealing the right of most working Americans to claim clean slate Chapter 7 bankruptcy. Corporations still have it.
In 2008, the middle class, and especially African Americans were slammed by Joe's TBTF deregulation support and his 2005 bankruptcy bill.
3. Because Joe and others didn't back CTFC regulation of the OTC financial derivative WMDs, the 2008 financial crisis wiped out the savings, jobs, wages of many Average Americans and they ended up deeply in debt. The 2005 bill made the 2008 vastly damaging to me.
4. When Brooksley Born of the CTFC proposed regulating financial derivatives (the ones that caused the crash of 2008), Joe's name was on the legislation that made sure that didn't happen. Watch the PBS videos on Brooksley Born's warnings.
8
Well that was depressing! America basically said everything is fine the way it is, lets just elect someone that is a good guy and coast for another four years. Biden has none of the skills required to understand and address the major problems facing this country. My research on him says he's been on the wrong side of many important issues and is not even remotely a visionary. Time to turn off the news.
7
Looking forward to Biden confronting Trump in the Presidential debates this Fall. The majority of Americans thought Trump abused his power and had to be impeached for the way he schemed to undermine Biden. Biden will be able to tell Trump to his face that Donald’s days as a con artist working to undermine our democracy are over.
It feels clear that the states Bernie won would easily go to Biden in the general; the reverse doesn’t feel quite so true with Bernie—he was clearly outmatched in important states with large swaths of moderate voters. The math seems to point to Biden rather clearly at this point. It’s disheartening, but the people have spoken.
Noticing lots of comments about this being a “repeat of 2016’s anointing of Clinton” that seem to be forgetting the true hatred and vitriol many Americans felt (feel) towards Clinton—and many other powerful women. Both Biden and Sanders have benefited from the fact of their gender to a degree most on the left seem unwilling to acknowledge or address and, for better and worse, this will aid either in the general in ways it hurt Clinton. Let’s just hope Biden’s team learns from the mistakes Clinton and her team made on the ground last time.
It is time for Elizabeth Warren's friends in the Democratic Party to explain to her that she can have a future in the party, or she can continue her campaign.
4
Mlb4ever: “I’m afraid the ‘safe choice’ will give us four more years of Trump.”
This might be true, but only if Bernie’s supporters don’t vote or vote for a third-party candidate like they did in 2016. Throwing away your vote is not the way to protest your dissatisfaction with the eventual nominee. Activism doesn’t end on Election Day. You have to get involved and stay engaged forever to make change happen.
Neither Bernie nor Biden are my first two choices, but I will vote for whomever becomes the Democratic nominee and continue to fight for environmental justice, human rights, and health care for all. But if Biden is the nominee, he has to stop saying that people don’t want a revolution because clearly lots of people DO want major change.
Get out and vote for the Democrats in November no matter what. There’s way more at stake than just the presidency. Four more years of Trump and this incompetent, corrupt administration will destroy America.
1
Please Bernie, drop out. I agree with a lot of your ideas and I admire your young supporters' vigor, but you cannot beat Trump (this is why Russia backs you). If Trump gets four more years, it will be four more years for conservatives to entrench regressive anti-democratic, anti-female, anti-immigrant, anti-poor, anti-environment, anti-intellectual policy. The "status quo" may not be ideal, but it is better than going backwards!
3
I will be voting for Biden if he is the eventual nominee, because Trump is abhorrent. But, this is not a compelling narrative or message that will sway the country, swing voters, and may actually encourage Trump voters to go to the polls. Because of the trappings of the two-party system and the illogical nature of the primary process, the Democratic Party has been stuck with candidates who are unelectable in the general election.
This is a warning for any Democratic primary voter in the coming months, Biden will lose definitively to Trump. He does not inspire like Obama or Clinton, nor does he have a message that can counter the (false) propaganda of Trump. His gaffes on the debate stage will only get worse as he will face a candidate that shows no mercy or respect for norms. Beyond that, I have never met one person overly enthusiastic about Biden. Klobuchar, Buttigeg, Sanders, Warren? I know many people singing their praises. Joe Biden? This should be the canary in the coal mine, people just aren't that psyched about Biden.
By voting for Biden in the primary, you are dooming our country to another four years that may be irreparable because you went for a "safe" option.
6
I wish Democrats and Independents were as gutsy as many of their Republican peers. Faced with the establishment's pickings in the 2016 Republican primaries, they selected a candidate they believed would shake things up because the same ole, same ole hasn't been working for them. (They selected a terrible person, but that much is understood at this point.) They rallied around their candidate and took to the ballots. Meanwhile, Democrats are plagued by a commitment to reactionary incrementalism. Which is to safe playing it safe, extolling the benefits of inching forward while holding hands and singing Kumbaya, and allowing the corporate wing of the party to dictate where and with whom we end up. How about taking a risk, people? Have we much to lose? No, we don't. If after 4 years of Trump the only thing we, the country, can think to do is elect another corporate shill like Biden, then we've seriously failed. Obama was lackluster, giving us a health care bill that benefited the insurance industry more than the people it was intended to help. Yet people cling to his memory because of his vacuous, flowery rhetoric. Biden is not going to be any better. Moderates or whatever they're called are only interested in treating the plants, not the soil. So we'll continue to grow the same nonsense we've been growing - all with the same results.
4
A vote for Biden is a vote for Obama, just as a vote for Hillary was a vote for Bill. Both born of nostalgia. Both neo-liberals tied to Wall Street whose milquetoast remedies for the crisis of the planet and the working class allowed a candidate like Trump to sweep in and "save the day". Biden, like Hillary before her, does not offer a true alternative to Trump, rather a watered-down compromise. Time to listen to the young people, who will inherit this mess, and vote for the progressive candidate.
7
@Sasquatch
the young people did not show up! Exit polls shows that only 1 out of 8 voters were <30 yrs age.
2
This was a clear demonstration of the Democratic machine in full force, rallying to defend itself from being dismantled, like HAL defending itself from being shut down in 2001: A Space Odyssey. How else to explain how Biden, almost out of money to the point where he couldn't even campaign in most of the Super Tuesday states, still won most of them?
Yes, this also shows that there is significant opposition to Sanders, due to his agenda or the belief he can't beat Trump, or both, so this result was not entirely managed by the DNC machine and MSM, but their declaration of support for Biden, gave his campaign the breath of life it needed when it was all but flat lined. It shows that there is nothing like positive press coverage to overcome lack of advertising or personal appearances and rallies. If that isn't bias on the part of the media, what is?
And the black community that is propping up Biden is placing a very questionable bet on a guy whose record on racial issues - anti-busing, the 1994 Crime Bill, Anita Hill, and favoring Wall St. over Main St. - shows he's no friend to African-Americans.
Frankly, the DNC machine could have dressed up a mannequin and done as well (or even better since a mannequin can't utter gibberish). But Biden is their "brand" and they're going all-in on him, which means the massive power of money and influence is being focused behind him. This might be enough to hand him the nomination, but it won't be enough to beat Trump.
3
Loco Tio Bernie inspires his followers with grandiose
promises of free: childcare,tuition,health insurance,
all will be paid for by tax increases on the middle class
workers. He peddles Socialism and plans to pay the
bills with his dreaded Capitalism work ethic.
1
It looks like we have transitioned from "Hope and Change"
to "No Hope for Change".
7
What a choice.
One a rather ordinary, decent man who has fashioned out a semi-distinguished political life for himself, now visibly tired and no great shakes as a leader, teacher or molder of opinion, but much better at beating Trump than Bernie would be.
The other, something akin to a monster, oblivious to damage he is doing to the American nation, intent on gobbling up all political power into his hands who is skilled at pulling wool over the eyes of ignorant and desperate people.
Nations like people frequently get what they deserve.
It will be interesting to see what America decides.
I pray for a favorable outcome, and fear the worst.
4
Once again the Democratic voters show they are afraid, not bold.
5
Democrats, you had one job to do- find someone that is young, likable, and moderate enough to sway some former Trump supporters. You didn't do it.
Trump will trounce either Biden or Sanders and it's your own fault.
2
Sanders is grasping at straws if he's going back to the Iraq War vote. No one cares anymore. I think we now see the Democratic nominee, Joe Biden.
2
Not sure why there’s so little coverage about HOW Biden won so big. Pete and Amy dropping out and endorsing Biden one day before Super Tuesday is suspect... Beto climbing out of whatever cave he’s been in for the last 9 months to endorse Biden is just comical.
Democratic establishment is terrified of Bernie. It’s embarrassing. If trump wasn’t in office I’d sit this one out but unfortunately, since the dems forced Hilary down our throats last time, this is where we are.
5
The Times, and the media in general, is totally misplaying this. The big story isn't that Biden came "roaring back". Of course he did. It's the fact that the Democratic establishment was able to convince two of Biden's strongest competitors to drop out, to 'take one for the team' so to speak while convincing Harry Reid and Beto O'Rourk to come out of hiding. Why didn't Reid endorse before Nevada?
If Klobachar and Buttigieg had still been in the race it would have been Bernie's night
3
Now we see why Trump wanted Ukraine to "do me a favor, though."
In any event, once Putin supported Sanders he was done.
It is inconceivable to me that Bernie voters would consider not voting if Biden is the nominee. Look at what trump has done just since the Senate acquitted him....Revenge firings, Barr unleashed, Rallies (we pay for!) full of incendiary lies, attacks on jurors and judges for a friend who is a criminal, very questionable pardons, Pence a czar (?), women’s right to choose again under fire in the courts, dangerous misinformation about regulations protecting the environment (toilets & dishwashers??) .... is a short list. How could staying home and exposing our democracy to four more years of this be even be a possible choice?
3
Wow talk about mass emotional manipulation which is the very definition of politics and propaganda. Republicans must be delighted. Get ready for Hunter Biden and Burisma for the next 7 months. Dems have committed suicide, uniting their party almost impossible. Many will simply stay home.
4
Here's a proposal.
If you're a Biden supporter and find some malignantly anti Biden/DNC words here. Assume it's the Russians.
If you're a Sanders supporter who thinks the moderates are gloating. Assume it's the Russians.
Let's settle our differences respectfully and use our agency to vote, something most of the world doesn't have. We're better than this.
2
Joe Biden at 77 is only a year younger than Bernie Sanders. Yet the media, NY Times included, carries on as if center-right politics professed by a man who makes major verbal blunders and talks the politics of yesterday should be the Democratic Party standard bearer. Yes, let's charge forward into yesterday. trump will eat Biden like one more fast-food hamburger. Heaven help us.
3
The Republican Party has no place for moderate Republicans anymore - it’s become one who worships an idol. The same thing is beginning to happen to young progressive Democrats - they are being slowly shoved out by the DNC “mainstream” Democrats. The idolatry in this case is a worship of watered-down, rotgut, flavorless Centrism that keeps party apparatchiks like Debra Wasserman-Schultz in power. The Democratic Party is eating its own young.
1
Given the State of affairs in America Biden could very well be the first President to run the country from a jail cell with the approval of a majority.
1
Politeness over rage.
Pragamatic Progressivism over Socialism.
Get-things-done over lets-destroy-everything.
Country over Ego.
Unity over division.
Beat-the-Orange-One over Go-down-in-glorious-flames
Methinks, that is what people decided yesterday.
3
Biden for president? And you thought you needed the 25th amendment for Trump?
1
I want to see Secret Service protection for Joe Biden now.
2
Here is a cartoonish view of the rest of the race:
The top two are approximately tied in delegates today.
Bernie can win big in WA, OR, NM and some tiny states and territories, but this is far from certain.
Joe will win really big in MS, GA, FL and LA. These are collectively much bigger than Bernie's three best larger states, and there are four of them.
Everywhere else might be close but collectively lean Biden. Say this "lean" cancels out Bernie's several small state and territory wins.
This implies a Biden plurality and more likely a majority into the first vote at the convention. Without a plurality, Bernie will have no case to be the nominee.
Bernie's victories Tuesday were aided by early voting, so his chances may be even more bleak than first appears. The question for today is not if Warren and Bloomberg will drop out, it is if Bernie will also drop out. If he loses more ground next week despite having Washington on the calendar, it may be unavoidable.
1
If you voted for Biden you voted for Trump.
[https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/jan/04/joe-biden-electable-trump-2020-election]
15
Yet again, the West leads the way.
The state with the world's fifth or sixth largest economy understands the issues facing tomorrow's citizens. Maybe much of the country thinks regressing to "normalcy" is the best course, but "normalcy" brought us where we are today. If Biden or Trump holds the Executive for the next four years, and the country does not break apart into a federation of autonomous regions, maybe the young progressives in Congress and their supporters can move the country into modern times, like most of Europe.
7
I eschew labels but I understand why candidates look at demographics. For voters, all they do is shape people. In other words, people tend to gravitate toward the group they "belong" in, or that they think they should be in once these reports start rolling in. Most of those labels are undeniable but one - political leaning - is not. Has it occurred to anyone that perhaps many people only call themselves "moderate" now because that's the label that has been attached to the candidate they want to win? Maybe some, like myself, are liberals who voted or who would vote for the person because they thought a) that candidate was a better bet to beat Trump; b) better leader/uniter; or c) they craved calm competence over more crazy chaos? Liberals for common sense, practicality and peace of mind? Some of us vote for the person as much or even more than policies; sometimes it depends on what else is going on. The message should be sent that, perhaps, it would be helpful for the Democrats (if they do win in Nov) to push somewhat farther to the left after all. The message should also be conveyed to "youth" that they can push for some of their ideas without Sanders. But, for now, let's just send the message of being President for the whole population. Sadly the demographic labeling and slicing and dicing consistently works against us in that regard.
As a non-American watching this race it continually surprises me when I am reminded of the ages of the two top contenders: 77 and 78. Obviously, (some) people are living longer and healthier lives and age does not automatically presage intellectual deterioration. But still. How long will either, or both, of these two men remain healthy and able to function in a very demanding job? I don't understand why this isn't an issue, or, at least, a question.
3
@S.P. Riley
trump is in his 70’s too
Biden’s resurgence is almost a children’s storybook change of events. I agree the abrupt change came because people are anxious to coalesce behind one candidate, other than Bernie Sanders. I will disagree with “experts” who are telling us Elizabeth Warren and Bernie are dividing the same voters. (The supposed left flank of the party). While I’m sure there will be some Warren voters who will align behind Bernie, I believe the majority will get behind Biden. Warren’s voters are white, middle class and/or upward, with college or advanced degrees. Bernie is capturing younger, Latino, and blue collar.
5
The NY Times cant seem to write that Warren needs to drop out to support Sanders.
The Times is biased against Progressives.
We need to split into 3 parties.
12
@Paul Schejtman
How about 5?
@Paul Schejtman: People generally prefer orderly progression. Trump upsets apple-carts to see what will happen. So would Sanders.
1
Biden/Warren 2020
10
@Mark
Correction: Sanders/Warren 2020
3
Biden/Abrams 2020
Only in the movies is America "No Country for Old Men" or in this case old white men. America used to be young, forward looking, dynamic, with the promise of prosperity for all who worked for it.
Now working hard guarantees you nothing but two lousy jobs in the service industry. Prosperity is the domain of those who have already amassed the bulk of it. Newcomers are not welcome to the club. A foothold or even a toehold into the hallowed halls of power for the young and future leaders of the country is hard to achieve. The status quo is owned by the club.
And yet, the cracks are widening. An old white man is sure to win the presidency this time, but their days are literally numbered. I hope I live long enough to see someone else rise to the top and represent a future for your country that lifts all of its people up and inspires the world as it once did not that long ago.
7
@Memi von Gaza You’ll have to move to Northern Europe to see a young, female leader committed to equality and preserving the gains and flora on our planet. We are, um, a bit behind.
4
This paper is focused on attacking Sanders and promoting Biden. Why, for example, don't the writers say that the Texas race was CLOSE. If you read this you think that Sanders was defeated by a wide margin in several states, when it is true that he had some big losses, but other contests were pretty close.
13
@Miriam Yes, but the story was Texas was written off for Biden, and was for Sanders to lose. And lose he did, in a rather terrible way.
I can tell you California was a close election, more closer than Sanders thought.
Biden is a disaster on healthcare. He simply fails to acknowledge that even before Trump started trying to gut the ACA, it was a total disaster. Premiums are skyrockets, deductibles are through the roof, and plans cover almost nothing. No vision. No dental through ACA -- just the open market where plans are paltry. No coverage for root canal (a $1K to $2K procedure, depending on where you live). I could go on.
At least Bloomberg was proposing ways to limit costs. Among them: expanding subsidies so no one pays more than 8.5% of their income in premiums and requiring insurance companies to lower deductibles (typical plans now have a $6500 family deductible for a "gold" plan and $13K to $14K for a "bronze plan). He also proposed capping prescription drug prices at 120% of the average sales price for developing countries.
To understand what a middle class family in the gig economy is looking at, I offer you these actual numbers from my family
$24K/year premium for a family of 3
$6500/year deductible (which we meet every single year)
$1200/year dental for two adults
$2K to 3K/year in uncovered expenses (no vision plan because we can't get one), dental has huge co-pays, and no one covers a root canal.
That's about 35% of our income.
That's not a typo. We spend about 35% of our income on healthcare each year. And that doesn't factor in the percentage of our local, state, and federal taxes that go to healthcare for government workers, retirees, and folks getting ACA subsidies.
18
My family needs Medicare for All. We will not be voting for Biden. We remember how Senator MasterCard hurt American families with his anti bankruptcy legislation (for families, not for the rich) and his support for wars and our bloated military industrial complex.
18
@Zejee
You won’t get M4A no matter who wins. Not enough people want it bad enough, and the votes in Congress are just not there.
Defeat Trump. That is the main thing. If you do not vote for the Democratic candidate by commission, you are voting for Trump by omission. Don’t fool yourself that you are not.
It is a stark choice.
3
Last night underscored the irrelevance and anachronism of Iowa and New Hampshire and even Nevada going first in the nominating process. Candidates spend years there in these small states (two of which caucus). A narrative gets formed about the unelectability of a candidate like Joe Biden, because he's not the shiny new object or doesn't come from Lily White New England and then everybody acts surprised when he emerges. This was absolutely predictable, especially in this political moment. People are scared and they don't want an untested national candidate or a socialist demagogue representing the Democratic party. If Democrats don't want to be driven to the edge of panic and want to nominate the strongest national candidate the farce of the current carnival barking early primary process must come to an end.
5
It's time for Democrats to make the tent bigger, not close the flaps and tell potential voters to "get in or get out."
Trump has divided this country and alienated millions of voters. Democrats need to respond to the situation, not to Bernie's absolutist wishlist of policy changes.
4
At the very least it's time for Bloomberg and Warren to drop out. They have insufficient support and an insufficient number of delegates.
6
Just glad the South African government let Biden out of prison in time to campaign! But seriously, he’s a nice enough guy but he’s going to lose, and badly. The DNC leadership may actually prefer a Biden loss to a Sanders victory, but ask yourself if you agree. If not, then the only choice is Bernie Sanders. A Biden vs Trump race has two major downsides: in one scenario, aided by Trump’s bungling of the virus and the related tanking of the stock market, Biden gets a narrow win. He then pursues his cautious, return to the good old days approach while the economy and wages continue to stagnate. In 2024 he faces an extreme right wing populist who is younger, more competent, more telegenic and somehow even worse than Trump. Biden gets crushed. In scenario 2, he loses this election to Trump having failed to rally young voters and progressives. Either way, we all lose. Time for bold measures and that means Bernie. If Bernie loses, he leaves a movement in his wake. When Biden loses, only more disillusionment and rudderless “resistance”. The DNC learned nothing from the Hillary Clinton debacle (and neither did she).
9
@Keef In cucamonga
Looking at a dictionary, “arrested” means “stopped”, among other things.
1
I am getting tired of the characterizing of only Sanders voters as "liberals". Biden is a classic center-left liberal. Biden voters are sensible liberals. They are Democrats, not Republicans. If it hasn't been clear to everybody all along, it is abundantly clear this morning that Bernie's, perhaps misnamed, "revolutionary" plans would not pass congress if he were to be elected president. In many respects that is unfortunate, but still true. So, I'm sorry to ask, but really what is now the point of implying otherwise Bernie?
8
They’re neoliberals which means Republican-lite, just like President Obama. In other words, they’re not progressive at all.
2
@Zareen That is a tired conspiracy theory designed to reelect Trump.
I guess it depends on definition of liberalism. You can call Trump a liberal because he cut taxes. You can call Biden whatever you want but his positions on many things are more closely aligned with Reps. Healthcare with unidefined public option, no relief for student loans, freezing SS, practically meaning cuts to the program.
So many comments about Biden not getting the young voters out. So many comments about how Sanders will change the country with his policies.
If you want Trump gone, and hopefully in a court room in NYSD shortly after the election, then help get the youth vote out for Biden. Safe choice, yes that's the point. And also be realistic, none of Sanders pie in the sky ideas will ever get pass the Senate or Congress. But he could help lose seats in both houses.
He is not a 45-year-old super star politician that can start a dynamic movement. He is not even a Democrat. He is 78-year-old whose whole career has been in politics with little results making unrealistic promises in a dangerous time when the country's worse President ever must be removed from power. Trump is a vile cartoon character running the most powerful nation in the world. Now is the time for all sane voters to come to the aid of their country/party.
10
We will see how safe the 'safest' bet in the general elections. If Sanders is not Dem, then his supporters are not Dem as well, so you can not blame them if they will not vote for Biden. And although Bernie's programs may not pass in the Congress, we know he will fight for these program, while Biden will compromise to Rep advantage as he did so many times before.
2
So discouraged looking at these results.
All I can say is, at least it's not Bloomberg.
8
@Jane Grey Bloomberg tried to meet progressives in the middle. Biden is reliably dismissive of the progressive wing just like Clinton.
The similarities are remarkable.
1
For all the chatter about Biden's gaffs, especially his not knowing whether his wife or sister was standing to the left or tight of him during his "victory" speech, I kept hoping that "Ever-at the-ready Jill" would have maneuvered a quick shift with Valerie to legitimize Joe's explanation that they had "shifted sides" on him.
2
I wish my fellow Sanders supporters would stop spouting ridiculous conspiracy theories. Face the facts. Stop the divisiveness. Bernie lost yesterday because more people voted for Biden.
I seriously worry that Biden just doesn't have what it takes anymore but no one can see the future. I'll be voting for Sanders in the primary. Come November I will fall in line and vote for ANY blue candidate. To do anything less is to seal the deal on this country's destruction.
12
There is no need for conspiracy theories. To hear the Dem leadership about danger of Bernie day in and day out is enough to understand that the leadership will do everything to stop Bernie's nomination. That fuels the suspicious and divisiveness that will be difficult to heal.
2
Wow, the negativity towards Biden is astounding! Sanders supporters, you are aware that most of Sanders proposes has almost no chance of ever becoming law, right? Some of Sanders key proposals may not even pass a Democratic House with a lot of changes. So please be realistic about what a President Sanders could actually deliver of his agenda.
It's now time for Bloomberg to throw his support and big money behind Biden. It's time to get rid of Trump...
6
All the people attributing Biden’s victory to ,”safe choice,” could it be that many do not like Bernie’s policies? For example, Medicare for all is a no no to many.
3
Language matters. Since many voters are used to "taking a state" meaning they won it all, as is often the case in the general election, it is NOT true in many primaries, including California. A more accurate article headline would be to say "Sanders took largest number of delegates in CA" or "Biden and Sanders split most of the CA delegates".
3
It is sad when minorities are content with "kindness" - how sincere? - instead of aiming and voting for respected rights and equity, for them and their children. The substantial difference between Biden and Sanders. Trump would have a very easy way against Biden. He'lll use all of his well known means to take advance of the Burisma affair and what else, we do not know yet. What a pity! And what a danger for entire world.
5
Betcha Bernie is singing a different tune over the super delegates available now.
Here we are with more old, white men - one who isn't clear on what race he's running and the other recovering from a heart attack and a serious case of political delusion.
Oh well. I'll vote for whoever wins the primary.
1
Joe Biden sees Donald Trump as anomalous. This indicates to me that he’s going to fail to address concerns that led to Donald Trump getting elected, further cementing the idea that the liberal elite doesn’t care about the working class. Meanwhile, Republicans will continue to use fascist rhetoric to pretend to care for the working class and America’s descent into fascism will continue.
Beating Trump is important, but making sure that Trump or someone like him won’t be politically viable four years later is even more important
4
Looks like the handwriting is on the wall. If it is to be Biden, then this 87 year old will be sitting out the November election. Perhaps we need another round of Trumpism before the country comes to its senses.
4
@kozarrj
"If it is to be Biden, then this 87 year old will be sitting out the November election."
I will turn 86 before the election, and if it is Biden vs. Trump, I intend to write in Pepe le Pew's name (Pepe can beat both Biden and Trump, at least in one respect).
When Warren exits the contest and throws her support to Bernie, maybe for VP or cabinet post, the revised delegate count puts him ahead in most contests.
Her influence doesn't grow by staying any longer, expect this soon.
Still unsure that Bloomberg is a democrat rather than someone who just hates Trump.
1
I've supported Warren from the start of this campaign.
With her loss in Mass. (and her lack of wins anywhere else), it is time for the Senator to withdraw from the race and throw her support behind Biden.
8
@Jfpieters
Agree with everything you said except : throw her support behind Sanders.
1
While Biden is old and one of the last guard, I am tremendously relieved to see the moderates come out in force. Sanders and Warren are trying to uproot an entire tree, plant a seed and convince voters it will grow into a new and better tree immediately. The world has no magic beanstocks. Best we prune and reshape the tree our nation is living under in a careful, thoughtful way to include all ways of thinking.
I suggest all Bernie and Warren voters best decide what is more important, electing Bernie or trouncing Trump. Biden should immediately ally with Stacey Abrams....or Michelle Obama?
5
The American people have resurrected the Democratic Party. This is not so much a victory for Joe Biden's adeptness as a politician as it is a renunciation of the republican party.
The elitist, authoritarian republicans have shown their anti-American inner self by giving money to the rich, cutting Social Security and Medicare, spitting in the face of our Allies while courting dictators like Putin, abandoning Allies on the battle field, caging children, etc.
We welcome all sane, humane republicans back to the party of the people, the Democrats. The republicans can keep the racists and elites who have a place at the top of the republican party.
Vote Democrat in November.
4
Good job alienating young people from the party, establishment Democrats and political elites. Sure that won’t backfire on you! To Klobachar, Warren, Beto, and mayor Pete- we won’t forget this when you’re running for senate or governor or president. Enjoy the rest of your political careers without the support of the young. Too bad we won’t have universal healthcare to keep YOUR supporters up and kicking!
6
Congratulations are due to the New York Times, along with the other members of our wealthy ruling classes.
In the future, when we find out what went on behind closed doors that led to the O'Rourke, Klobuchar, Clyburn, and Buttigieg endorsements, I am confident we will be disgusted.
The media did their best to undermine his campaign by painting him as a bolshevik or just not painting him at all. They poured talking points into peoples' mouths with punditry. Any time he was doing well, it was painted as a threat. Their questions were Republican talking points.
What this has shown me, and a bunch of other progressives, is that the Democratic Party doesn't want us at all. If the Democrats are the party of Carville and Matthews and Todd, then progressives should be the party of the Weather Underground.
7
Congratulations to Joe Biden and team, last night's major win shows that the American People want to keep what is dear to them the Constitutional right to remain a free democracy, Bernie Sanders has many good ideas to bring forth the only problem with Bernie's ideas the implementation, many of his supporters have to realize that the amount of time and money that it would take to fully implement Bernie's promises would be years, right now Donald Trump has tanked the economy due to his tariffs and ridiculous tax cuts. Your deficit which is the people's credit card has increased to the point that should it continue at a Trump rate your Federal Credit card will lose its ratings, this is one of the things that makes much of what Bernie has planned on doing not realistic for this particular time, it is like someone using your own credit card and maxing out, constantly paying the minimum balance does not lower your debt load as you are only paying the percentage of interest, increasing taxes on the wealthy at a proportional competitive rate would not be able to fund all of Bernie's ideas at the same time and increase many programs and help repair the infrastructure, most of this debacle need be attributed to Donald Trump & company incompetence, As for Mr. Bloomberg put aside your pride and help Biden do a takedown of Trump, people, just imagine that Doomsday! Bloomberg not only has the assets but combine the personal
and financial information against Trump and bye-bye Corruption
1
After Super Tuesday's results, thoughtful democrats have to ask themselves: if Sanders can't beat Biden in the South's red states, how can he ever expect to beat Trump?
7
The DNC is going to shoot itself in the foot AGAIN if it goes Biden. A whole generation is going to vote the other way out of spite.
The 'safe choice' isn't our candidate.
6
I think I see a break in the clouds. For the first time in since Nov. 2016 I feel hopeful, dare I say.
7
California voted out of hope, not fear.
Biden may be a simple plain Joe—who plagiarized Neil Kinnock's speech last time he ran—but he voted for the Iraq War, he represents the present, broken system, takes on no big problems, does not speak well. I admire clear and intelligent speakers. I have trouble listening to this person. He and Clyburn talk about their families—Bernie talks about policy. The coverage was unbelievably slanted, even the BBC mentions party manipulation. Just as with Individual 1, the media gave Biden billions of free advertising.
I do not consider him a good debater. But he is the "safe" choice—reestablishing a broken system and a tepid climate change response. The "safe" choice—like HRC and John Kerry.
What was it Franklin said about exchanging freedom for safety?
I am very tired of voting for the lesser evil.
All right, then DNC— it's YOUR job to unify. Not the job of the Progressives you deride and scheme to undermine. You better reach out and make concessions.
I'm sixty-eight. I hope this is the last election dominated by my greedy and hapless generation.
10
I wanted Warren, but it's clear she needs to drop out now and remain a Senator. If the faux Republican, Biden, wins in November, she needs to make his life miserable and try to push his policies as far to the left as possible.
7
How is decency entering the conversation? As if one of the candidates is less decent than the other? In fact, one candidate of the two HAS had to publicly apologize for touching women inappropriately. But I guess the democratic party forgave and forgot?...
3
If the DNC keeps pressing for Biden, and if everyone keeps buying into the corporate media's distaste for Bernie, get ready for four more years of President Bone Spurs.
Stop Bernie = re-elect Trump
As someone has referred to this year's election: Operation We Learned Nothing
10
It's an exciting day if you voted for Biden, but the excitement won't last. There's a reason why Biden, polling so well for much of the run up to Iowa and New Hampshire, collapsed there once voters had a chance to see him. Watch Biden this campaign cycle, and you see a man in obvious cognitive decline.
I hope people don't discount that fact. Or minimize that Biden's record (NAFTA, Iraq War, cutting Social Security, crime bill), scandals (Burisma, Anita Hill), and lack of core enthusiasm are the exact opposite of the electability they voted for.
5
Congratulations to Mr. Biden.
He put in virtually zero effort and won Massachusetts, Minnesota, Arkansas, Alabama, Oklahoma, etc... Not sour grapes folks, but it is actually true, the man did not campaign or even advertise in most of those states. Won purely on name recognition and been Obama's white friend.
As someone who looks at facts and not wishful thinking, because I have been burned before by the latter, I am disappointed for the country and wonder whether both of the parties need a cleansing of their leadership. You see, South Carolina, Alabama, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas are all going to vote Trump by 60-75% of the vote. Maine, Virginia, Minnesota are 50-50 and Trump with Kellyanne Conway and Bannon will fight very hard to get those states in his bag.
Never disrespect your opponents, even if it is a wicked fool like Trump. The Republicans have shown remarkable unity since the days of Reagan, even if most of it is for bad, wicked or even evil pursuits. They have filled the Supreme Court and Federal courts with judges who are clearly political loyalists and have their own propaganda organs, they don't need the Russians to brainwash our citizens. Choosing Biden, who seems to be losing his marbles on live television because we are afraid of change, is a sign of cowardice and failure.
Elizabeth Warren had the right background for the job, and Bernie supporters would have happily voted for her, but she blew it by vacillating on the big test, M4A. Sad.
6
I keep looking at the map and wondering what coalition you're talking about. I feel like I'm watching Clinton redux. Biden has the mid-Atlantic South. Clearly. Sanders carries the West. The Midwest, New England, and the Northern mid-Atlantic are either a mixed bag or unknown. Everything else is irrelevant. That didn't completely tank is the only remarkable event in the evening. He had more than a generous assist from the Democratic establishment. Great...
We have a zombie candidate surging. Thanks Buttigieg.
4
@Andy You mean,"Thanks, Obama".
2
Trump must be losing his mind right about now. He threw everything he had at Biden only to see him rise from the ashes.
I couldn't be more pleased.
7
Trump must be squealing with delight. Biden doesn’t stand a chance against him
2
Mike Bloomberg should drop out of the race now and put his organizational skills and financial largesse into supporting Democrats running for Congress.
2
Sanders, just like he did In 2016 , will damage his democratic opponent to a point where he may end up coasting the Democrats the election. please Bernie, for the Party's unity's sake , drop out now. Help us beat Trump, which is the only goal that should matter.
5
Concerned we're sliding toward rabbit hole of social upheaval regardless of outcome. What ones gut tells them is not what saves us because too many are devoid of critical thinking. Copious time spent on screens does not equate to intelligence. Wonder what J.C.R. Licklider would think if he could see America 2020 and what some of his genius brought us?
2
First, kudos to the Dems on their rules governing the overall nomination process…
The relentless – and objective and sensible – winnowing by the 15% threshold in the primaries completely escaped me, as I watched the over-inclusive debates…
For clarity, Bloomberg still my preference – but my outlook on things has changed in some ways since the outset…
> No way would ever vote for Sanders – but he was a good small-city mayor
> No way will ever vote for Warren – either as #1 or as #2…Watching her since the outset, and was moving in her direction…But when she went full Gillibrand on charter schools – done
> Biden now the likely nominee – but doesn’t change his current/future cognitive challenges…I can remember the day he was to the Senate what AOC was to the House…He and Bloomberg actually have a similar petulance and dismissiveness – but Biden spent a half-century learning to cloaking his in charm…Perfectly legitimate thing to do
> With that, hope hizzoner stays in the thick of things – reminding folks that he intends to support the Dems at all levels of governance in 2020
> With that, as a broker – don’t think he’d take the #2 slot – needs to ensure the Veep pick is absolutely flame-proof, because Biden’ll get hyper-flamed both by Trump mano e mano, and by the GOP
> With Beto the face of assault weapon banning – ask Pete to honcho a 2nd go at an ERA
> And Liz to cast in stone a woman’s right to choose
If Biden – and if he picks Rahm – will vote for him…
1
Biden + Abrams = winning combination.
4
We are also forgetting another important lesson from last night: Jill Biden is fierce!
3
Hey, all the news, what was delegate breakdown?
2
Bye bye Bernie. You and your supporters, who did so much to give us Trump by your smearing of Hillary, are getting a well-deserved comeuppance.
4
So I guess you don’t need any of our votes? Okay. Then you’ll get just what you deserve — four more years of DJT.
2
Suddenly, the Buttigieg and Klobuchar dropout is not important. They allowed Biden to win many, many delegates. Good journalism?
1
Return to civility.
Biden for President.
4
"The only thing we need to fear; is fear itself...F.D.R.!" FEAR won last night. Fear of the big bad Socialist. Biden was dead in the water before South Carolina. All the talking heads can keep pontificating about the amazing resurrection of Joe Biden all they want. The simple fact is all the other candidates and their supporters looked at what was really happening and freaked out. I do hope Joe Biden is up to the task of beating Trump in November. But last night proved if nothing else it is that even so called liberals in the U.S. are anything but. Americans deep down are terrified of real change; and they cling to the status quo no matter what they say. So now we have a battle for the soul of America. I wish that Biden does on to beat the moron; but somehow I feel less than inspired by a nation that truly lives in fear these days.
4
I don’t think the majority of Democrats who voted for Joe Biden did so because he is considered to have the best chances against Donald Trump. They voted for Biden because he is simply a better choice over Bernie Sanders. It remains to be seen, but I believe most Democrats view Mr. Sander’s economic policies as too extreme. His intentions are good, but in the end paying for “free” medical care and “free” college tuition for those who cannot afford it will fall onto the middle class. But the middle class is already burdened with the cost of providing for their own families. Pocketbook issues are still the primary consideration for most American families.
9
@Karen J. : Actually, it's the middle class that's getting clobbered with healthcare costs ... that is, IF you're in the middle-class and lack employer-sponsored healthcare.
Example: our family makes about $100K/year. We are both full-time workers in the gig economy and have one child. Here's what we pay:
$24K/year in premiums
$6500/year deductible (we hit it every single year, and this is the *lowest* deductible plan on the market)
$1200/year dental insurance
$2K to $3K in uncovered medical costs (there is no vision plan we can buy, dental has huge co-pays even with the best plans, and no one covers a root canal)
We also pay double what everyone else pays for Medicare withholdings due to the self-employment tax. In other words, we pay 2.9% of our income to Medicare.
Then there's the portion of our local, state, and federal taxes that go to pay for the amazing healthcare plans that government workers (including teachers) get, which I'm still trying to figure out how to calculate.
When all is said and done, we estimate that HALF of our gig economy income goes to paying healthcare costs. HALF.
I would gladly support an income tax of 10% to 15% to cover healthcare for all.
For anyone who can
4
Don't let the fact that Sanders won California not include the fact that three democrats dropped out after many of us voted. thus he might think he's got California in his pocket, but when the convention happens, they'll be taking into consideration many of the delegates he got was acquired in spite fo the fact many of us did not vote for him.
4
When you look at his share of the vote total, Bernie did worse then he did in 2016 in every single state, and in a lot of states he outright plummeted. I know the field is more divided this time, but just to highlight how much worse he did, he went from:
49% to 26% in IA,
60% to 26% in NH,
59% to 36% in CO,
48% to 26% in MA,
61% to 30% in MN,
52% to 25% in OK,
86% to 51% in VT,
79% to 34% in UT,
41% to 24% in NC, and
64% to 33% in ME.
He even went from 46% to 34% in CA, and it looks like the vote totals will be in favor of moderate candidates there by about 5 points. Meanwhile Texas favored moderate candidates by 13 points, Virginia by 28, and North Carolina by 26.
I don't look at those numbers and see a groundswell of support for Bernie. I see a group of voters who, as a whole, are making it abundantly clear that they'd prefer someone else.
14
@Zack And in VA, turnout increased so much that Biden got more votes than all the votes cast for Sanders or Clinton in 2016.
So turnout is increasing, but Sanders isn't the beneficiary.
Which is pretty amazing, since Biden is barely present in advertising or campaigning. In this hyper aware polity, where we can't go five minutes without being reminded of how awful Trump is by Trump himself, who needs to be further motivated?
2
If Sanders would show some humility—suggest that he should listen to ‘moderate’, ‘older,’ voters and understand their concerns, concerning health care, most notably—he might still resurrect his campaign. I think Sanders under estimates or even worse doesn’t care about the legitimate negative reaction to taking away everyone’s employer provided health care. It is for this reason he did not get my vote.
8
@D Gayle : And maybe Biden could show some understanding of us gig-economy workers who lack employer-sponsored healthcare. We are drowning in healthcare costs but is suggesting nothing to bring down our premiums. At least Bloomberg wanted to expand ACA subsidies so no one was paying more than 8.5% in premiums -- and he wanted the plans on the exchange to lower their astronomical deductibles (currently around $6500 for the "gold" plan and $13K to $14K for the "bronze"). Plus Bloomberg had solid plans for lowering prescription drug costs.
Biden, meanwhile, thinks ACA is the best thing since sliced bread and doesn't care about those of us who are spending 35% of our income for our own healthcare, plus getting charged twice for Medicare taxes (because gig workers are "self-employed"), plus paying local, state, and federal taxes to cover the cadillac plans of government workers.
3
Some comments about Sanders splitting a vote with Warren, so if Warren gets out Sanders will gain. I don't think it's clear that Sanders is going to be the natural second choice of a Warren supporter.
Despite having some left proposals,
a) Warren is a capitalist, not a socialist, not a revolutionary, by her own account and by her own actions; and
b) Warren's appeal is having a plan for that, whereas Sanders isn't any closer to any plan to put his slogans into effect than he was four years ago or forty years ago.
Certainly those are the reasons I both appreciate Warren and have little use for Sanders.
8
@Yeah
Surveys do not support the claim that Warren supporters will automatically go to Sanders. In fact, it's about split.
1
Elizabeth Warren was my first choice and the Illinois primary is still 2 weeks away. No way she can win enough states to win the nomination now. She should therefore endorse Bernie and pull out so that Democrats can finally decide whether they want more of the same or a more progressive agenda beginning in 2021. Trump will be delighted to be up against either Biden or Bernie. This is really as much about political philosophy as electability. What do most Americans really want from their government???
5
Can we finally dispel this notion that Bernie gets people excited to vote for him? Turnout among 18 - 29 year olds, where Bernie by far has his strongest appeal, was abysmal last night.
Yes, turnout among that age group is historically bad, traditionally making up only 17-18% of the vote, but yesterday that figure dropped to 10% or less in many states, particularly states outside of California.
8
Joe Biden should thank Pete Buttegieg and Amy Klobuchar for dropping out when they did. Their selflessness and patriotism is what revived his campaign.
We desperately need more politicians like them and one has to wonder if the Democratic establishment will have buyers' remorse come November.
11
@TE Their "selflessness"!? They were directed to drop out by the establishment, led by Barack "Hope and Change" Obama. They are trying to salvage their careers, not help the country.
1
The result would have been completely different if all states had their primaries on the same day. Early voting states have outsize influence, and their voters' voices are magnified. Completely unfair to later voting states. It is as if they don't even exist, as lesser candidates have been forced out by then.
11
@Herr Andersson Biden would have wrapped up the nomination earlier.
2
@Herr Andersson Someone like Buttigieg or even Obama wouldn’t have any chance at all then. Only long time national brand politicians would duke it out between each other.
1
And ranked choice. We need same-time primaries with ranked choice.
2
It is true that Bernie's supporters are more passionate than Joe's.... It is evident in every blog.... More pro Sanders comments, more "Likes", etc... But they are by no means a real majority that can win in November. Last night proved it.
11
The system is broken. If there were time limits for campaigning before the primaries and a shorter primary season, I would wager Elizabeth Warren would be the deserved front runner. But that is not the case.
Instead, the early primaries/caucuses are held after a year of campaigning. And it all starts in a small, rural state that get a disproportionate amount of media attention.
The second the Iowa caucuses wrapped up in disappointing fashion, the media focused all of its attention on Sanders and, oddly, Bloomberg. The former grabbed attention because of winning-ish in Iowa (but not really) and being a previous candidate and the latter because he has a big personality and a bigger wallet (like Trump).
And I started feeling the walls of my own political party caving in around me. After the next primary/caucus, Sanders was given ALL the media attention. During that same time, Sanders made it clear his purpose was not only to take out Trump (which I support) but the ‘ Democratic Party Establishment’. And my sense was and is that if I am not a Bernie or Bust supporter, I am a member of ‘The Establishment’.
For four years I have been listening to the most outrageous and vile lies about Democrats from Trump. I have no stomach for it from my own party’s candidates.
I think there are millions of people like me. Biden is far from perfect and not my first choice by a long shot. But he doesn’t hate me. He is not trying to dismiss me in my own country. And that matters.
15
“It’s clear [insert something about liberals and X agenda]”
No no no. The only thing that’s clear is that Biden and Sanders are the front moderate and liberal front runners.
This was mostly known. It was the same dynamic that existed with Clinton / Sanders and the question of whether Sanders will be able to get the delegate majority (and super majority).
The difference is Warren accounted for a large portion of votes while all the moderates pulled out - in the hopes of achieving this exact result. Sanders can and will still likely win if Warren digests the results and cares about her message that is similar to Sanders. No, she wasn’t selfish staying in to this point - she legitimately has major support and money. I feel for her because she plays well in the states yet to come.
But with California and Texas off the map, there’s not a lot of places left to go and her and Bernies similar liberal message splits the vote to Biden’s benefit. Warren will suspend her campaign. She’s a smart woman. There’s a reason she’s a leader and has done so well. She also would be a formidable opponent and mop the floor with Pence in any VP debate. Sanders/Warren seems a likely ticket.
5
Biden can’t beat Trump. Why won’t Warren throw her support behind Sanders? I never trusted her. I always thought she was a DNC plant to divide the progressive vote.
10
@Zejee
Tell me then why Trump is so afraid of him?
2
This is just a reboot of 2016 with Biden standing in for Clinton. The result will be the same, get ready for 4 more years.
16
@Matt
What's different this time is the Trump economy and the hangover from the 2016 election. What will Sanders supporters do a second time around?
1
“C’mon man. China’s not our enemy”, Biden. I lived and worked there 10 years. Trade with China is self-destructive, but thru trade we fund the Chinese empire, military, spy network, human rights abuses. If Clinton had lived and worked in China, he would have known Chinese would be cheating on the WTO agreement before the ink was dry. Biden is to China as Trump is to Russia—naive.
3
Relax, folks. Just as trump's cult will vote for him no matter what he does (and he'll do plenty in the coming months) or how they might personally suffer - so *actual*democrats will vote for our eventual nominee. Up to and including a ham on rye.
I listened to many interviews of democratic voters before the election. Each had someone they supported passionately and said so. But when asked if they would vote for whoever the nominee was, even if it was someone they didn't particularly like - the answers were a unanimous YES.
In addition, no democrat can now win this office without the unqualified support of people of color. That's a fact. They will make that choice clear in the primaries. We need to listen.
HAM ON RYE 2020!
5
Biden is not as exciting as ham on rye. At least the ham on rye has spicy mustard.
4
Need to listen, exactly. The candidates have done a lot more telling and splaining than appearing to listen lately.
How awful that Biden has emerged a winner in so many states. I’ve never voted Republican or third party but if Biden is the nominee I simply can not vote for him. I can’t take another feeble minded President.
18
But make no mistake this will be an election in November between a Wanabee presidential candidate on the Democratic side. And a wanna be king/oligarch on the Republican side. Trump will be unencumbered over the next four years by any Electoral constraints.
Check out the turnout by age group in some of these states. In many instances, less than 10% of the voters were 18-29, while they comprise 20% of the voting age population, i.e extremely low turnout among 18-29 year olds.
It still hasn't dawned on my generation that they can't simply bury their heads in their phones and post memes on social media all day...they actually have to get up off their behinds and get to the polls to make a difference.
Hope the Dems can fix this and drive turnout by November.
8
How is this possible? No one even likes Biden, and only hear his name at the debates.
12
Wow. Mike Bloomberg spends half a billion dollars and winds up with 12 delegates...that works out to over $41 million per. Of course, he did better than Tom Steyer, who spent about $200 million for no delegates. Maybe you can't buy a nomination.
3
Looks like a David-and-Goliath battle. And Goliath just won.
4
Don’t count David out just yet.
Go Bernie!
7
Biden is a promise to the majority of Americans who don’t have $1000 for an emergency that they can “hurry up and wait” for help. Biden’s only hope is that Trump’s economic failure becomes obvious as jobs and products in store disappear because of coronavirus.
6
The baby boomers are ostensibly the worst generation of all time. In less than 60 years they've destroyed the environment, made homelessness rampant, housing affordable, given us countless wars and decades of mismanagement by the GOP.
Give Biden the nod and the Dems lose the Presidency and Congress both leading to America's lowest low. It will be Mike Judge's Idiocracy come to life.
No one on the left will vote for Biden. Voting for marginally less evil than Trump is still choosing evil and we're done with that. Biden is just another shill for the rich and big biz. He won't help the 99%. He never has and never will. So why should we support him? We won't. And America will burn.
17
Honestly, I can’t wait until the most narcissistic, self-absorbed “boomer” generation is gone. Hopefully our planet will outlive them.
4
Ostensibly means “seeming to be, but not actually.”
Rep. Clyburn resuscitated Biden back to life. He told him to get up off the mat and fight, get organized, and run a real race. With Clyburn's heartfelt endorsement of Biden's good character and history of support for the black community, blacks and whites saw a candidate who they could unite behind and beat Trump.
Now the hope is that Biden is the tourniquet to stop the bleeding of our democracy by beating Trump. Our nation needs calm, needs a return to the security that our government will uphold our laws and not be an authoritarian rule by a truly unfit man and his cult-like sycophants.
6
And support Big Insurance and Big Pharma! No free health care for the American people! No free college education for Americans!
4
@Zejee
Not if we all stay involved and push for those changes. Pres. Obama always said that change has to be pushed by the voters. We make the congress and senate do what we want if they keep hearing from us and threaten that they will be voted out.
I feel relieved that Biden is looking like the front-runner. Yes, he's too old to be President, seems to be losing touch, and is not dynamic. But, he's not Bernie, who is divisive, and he's not Trump, who is a nasty egomaniac. As President, Biden can give us the "break" this country needs. I don't expect Biden will do much in his Presidency, but Trump has been exhausting and set us back on so many levels. We need "normalcy" and stability.
7
So, we’re all supposed to mobilize and get motivated to support somebody who’s not going to do much as president? That’s a winning message? Sorry to break this to you, but you should prepare yourself for four more years of Trumpus.
3
@Tom : So what you're saying is that this system that is broken for so many of us should be maintained for another 4 years? In the name of "stability".
2
@Zareen
Not doing much is better than lies, nastiness and continuing destruction.
1
Where does this meme that Joe Biden is a "decent man" come from? All I've seen from him is bullying people without power from Anita Hill, to the reporter to asked him about his plagiarism, to the voter he called "fat" in Iowa. Then when he gets on the debate stage with people his own size, suddenly he's a polite guy who wants to get along. And need I mention the Iraq War vote that caused the death of thousands or the creepy hair sniffing? The decency meme has to die now, or Trump will kill it in the general.
18
@C : It comes from the wealthy neoliberals who control the non-Fox media -- and sexist folks like Clyburn, who just actively defended Biden's "affectionate" nature on CNN and said Biden needed to do MORE of that.
And he said that to a FEMALE reporter, all while giving her crap for doing her job. Literally, at the end of the interview, she asked him a question that he responded to by saying, with LOTS of attitude, "I know what you're trying to get me to say, but I'm not going to say it. But I will say this ..."
Really? So very disrespectful.
2
I don't want either Biden or Sanders, so where does that leave me? I'll never vote for Trump, but may not vote at all, I'm sorry to say. Both Biden and Sanders are too old. I wanted Buttigieg -- someone young, vibrant, articulate, glowing with energy and enthusiasm. Biden and Sanders have both seen better days, with their best years behind them. Frankly, with either one of them we could end up with a Woodrow Wilson presidency if we're not careful. I say these things because I am the age of Biden & Sanders and I know the changes and losses brought on by age. No one likes to admit that they are not what they once were, but decline is inevitable. The old must step aside for the young. I am in a quandary, and don't know what I'l do. I have been in the "Vote Blue Whatever You Do" camp, but now I don't know.
4
@Ms. Pea Your duty is clear. You must vote for whoever the Democratic nominee is. (We're assuming of course that Trump is the Republican.) 4 more years of Trump could well mean the end of this country as we know it. You want that on your head (yes every vote counts)?
2
@Ms. Pea may I suggest you follow Mayor Pete’s advice and vote for Biden? If you don’t vote at all in November, you are voting for Trump. Pete will have a job in the Biden administration, and get valuable high level federal expertise that will help him in future elections.
2
Big winner? People who don’t believe in conspiracy theories. Republicans didn’t come out in droves to vote for Sanders in an effort thwart Biden’s campaign.
Big Loser? Cory Gardner. Colorado went all in for Sanders which indicates that a milquetoast Republican will be having a tough time getting re-elected in November.
12
This is so disappointing. A contest that began with such hope, the wonderful possibility of a truly different and inspiring candidate, has come down to two old white men.
6
@Mike There's nothing bad about old white men. It's okay to be white, and old.
Sanders failed to win many majority white states and all southern states with high black populations. But for Latinos he would not have been competitive in TX. His tent is very small.
2
@Greenfield
His tent is big enough that if they turn their back on the Democratic Party, Trump will win in 2020.
They should do so just to show the Democratic Party they will not support a party run by the wealthy and corporate interest that has turned its back on working class and progressive Americans.
At this point the Democratic Party is just a slightly less conservative version of the Republican Party.
Neither party is capable of moving the country forward in any significant way.
4
It is likely to me, from comments here in the Times, that Biden's most treacherous adversary may not be Donald Trump but the Sanders/AOC coalition. Revolution, paramount, lies in their hearts.
13
@blgreenie
You are right. A Biden nomination will show that both political parties are beyond redemption.
At that point there is really nothing to lose. Let Trump win in 2020 and let the Republicans have both houses of Congress.
If America is going to be a plutocracy we might as go all in.
2
Our families need Medicare for All. Don’t you understand? Too many Americans can’t afford healthcare.
3
What is one policy Biden stands on? He’s the least memorable candidate in recent memory. With Burisma, his creepy son and his drug abuse and the affair with his dead brother’s wife, combined with Biden’s inability to debate toe to toe, just give Trump the presidency and let’s not even go through the whole process.
10
@Matt Hunter Biden isn’t running for president. Ivanka and Jared are using the Oval Office to advance their business interests even as I type this. I find this hysteria over Hunter laughable.
2
Joe has 40 years of civil rights advocacy and 8 years as Obama’s VP. The black vote and, after Bernie is out, much of the Hispanic vote will go to him. Older Americans who are not in love with Trump - there are a lot of his out here.
You’ve been listening too long to the Bernie-Warren tape. Biden v. Trump = Biden, in a landslide. He needs a woman VP candidate - I like Klobuchar, and we need to carry Minnesota. (I like Harris, too, but the Democrats could run a glass of water in CA and win.)
1
Don’t forget Hunter is still refusing to pay child support for the baby he fathered with a strip club dancer. I’m so glad she’s going after him since he’s obviously a deadbeat dad. I’m sure Joe must be so proud of him.
1
Don't count Bloomberg out. He won American Somoa. He may spend another half a billion dollars and win the Northern Marianas.
15
Sanders won three of the most "whitey white" states. Would he have won California last night if not for early voting? I doubt it. Sanders keeps pretending that he has wide support but he doesn't.
6
Bernie wouldn’t have won in CA, if not for early voting. Yesterday’s voters placed him third. Apparently everyone was waiting for South Carolina - and thanks to the black vote, Biden aced that.
2
Yeah! Nobody has any problem affording expensive for profit health care. Americans want their children to graduate college with high interest debt that will take decades to discharge.
2
How nice it was to wake up this morning, after having gone to sleep before the big counts were in last night, to find an energized, active and motivated Democratic Party!
The last time I did this, I woke up to find the dregs of humanity in MY White House!
Judging by what's happening now, there should be no bad surprises in November. KEEP IT UP, DEMS! Almost any one of you is infinitely better than trashy Trump.
6
I'm all in for Biden-Klobuchar 2020.
6
@A F
I can't think of a better way to give Trump another four years residing at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.
1
Roaring is an overstatement. Bumbling and confused with the full support of Obama behind the scenes pulling strings for him would be a better headline.
6
So I see that Democrats voters continue to be stupid. I hate Trump. I want a real leader to be the next POTUS and that should be Bloomberg. Sanders and Biden have been a public servant for decades and what have they accomplished for the country and its citizens? Nothing! Folks we are doom. Just save much as you can and make sure your kids get STEM college degree. Pay off your house and save much as you can for retirement. I came to America in 1986 at age of 9 and now my net worth is over 1mil. Also served 6 yrs in U.S army. Good luck America.
2
Not that he would, but could Biden have Obama as his VP running mate?
Nope. Constitution forbids it.
This is as shameful as it is self destructive. The election has been handed to Trump on a silver platter and it's what we all deserve.
6
if Biden becomes the nominee, his Veep should be Anita Hill.
12
@solhurok --That's a good line, but you know she would decline.
Eagerly awaiting the Times’s vetting of Joe Biden. Any day now.
Could start with his 2005 call for a 40-story wall on the southern border. Or maybe his mismanagement of the “end” of the Iraq war (which he staunchly supported) and opposition to the Osama raid, maybe? Or his vote for a constitutional amendment to repeal Roe v. Wade?
5
What a truly sad day! Whoever wins the Democratic nomination, it will be an old white man. Is this really the best we can do in 2020?
@Helen
Yes!
it's obvious that there were not enough Americans willing to support Corey Booker, Kamala Harris, or Julian Castro.
It will probably take another decade or more for this dynamic to change. There simply are not enough Boomers dead and buried to change things now.
The DNC got what they wanted- effectively ending Bernie Sanders prospects of getting the Democratic nomination in July. Of all of the potential candidates, Joe Biden is the weakest of lot. At 77 years old, Biden can barely string 2 sentences together without putting his foot in his mouth. Some of Biden’s accomplishments- Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act (BAPCPA), backed by Banking industry, making it harder for people (primarily working people, students) to declare Chapter 7 bankruptcy; Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act (aka 1994 crime law), increased incarceration of African Americans, Voted in support of Bush II use military force against Iraq in 2002 (lead to creation of ISIS, cost to taxpayers > $5 trillion). In addition, he facilitated his son Hunter Biden getting a position on Board of Burisma Holdings in Ukraine, which paid $50K/month, even though Hunter had no prior experience in the energy industry. Joe Biden never saw a weapons system, war or corporate interest he did not support. I suspect he will experience the same fate as HRC in November. This will be another electoral debacle for Democrats. See- Here Comes Joe Biden and It's Worse Than You Thought- The former vice president is eager to stake out the middle of the road, between ultra-predatory capitalism and solidarity with working-class people by Norman Solomon Mar 11, 2019; Link: www.commondreams.org/views/2019/03/11/here-comes-joe-biden-and-its-worse-you-thought
11
I'd like to know the voters turnout rate. If it is high, Democratic candidate has a chance in winning 2020 election. If not, forget about it & Trump will win in 2020.
2
@Usok I haven’t seen a state by state report of this, but SC and Virginia had record turnout, and they were describing turnout in Texas and California as “very high”.
1
So you say you want a revolution-The Beatles 1969
Turns out we don't want a revolution and we no longer want a divided country, we want to get back to the old America, the America that could do anything, The America that defeated Hitler, the America that put a man on the moon, the America where wealth was shared, and everyone pitched in to make things better. Not this big nasty mess America has become. This America where the slightest problem leaves us paralyzed. We cant even get hand sanitizers, when we need them the most, we cant figure out how to have plants working 24 hours a day, this is where we are. Of all the candidates and this includes Trump the only man that can bring this country together and put it on the right path is Biden. Trump has fanatical supporters, as does Bernie, but most American aren't fanatical about any human, the thing they love the most is their country. We need Joe.
5
Most Americans can’t afford to see a doctor.
1
I'm slightly upset the NYT hans't learned from 2016 and continues to ignore Sanders. I received 8 push notifications from the NYT yesterday related to Super Tuesday - all mentioned Biden. Even though Sanders won California, "the day's biggest prize," according to today's Daily Briefing, Biden was still mentioned first. I've been a NYT subscriber for over a decade, and unfortunately Iam slowly becoming disillusioned with the very clear biases the NYT has against the Democratic Party's non-conformist candidates.
10
I don't see how a left wing Socialist will get anything done to help this country.
5
How about free health care for all—which has been provided by every first world nation on earth for decades. Millions of Americans can’t afford to see a doctor. Nor can they afford to stay home when they’re sick.
2
When will you update your graphic to show Bernie won California, as the entire universe, and even you in an article below the graphic, admits? Or is it just about herding the population, not reporting the facts?
Asking for a friend.
8
Still waiting for President Zelensky's report on Biden corruption.
1
Can Barack Obama be vice president?
1
Sure. So can JFK while you are at it.
Zombies all around as Paul Krugman would say.
2
What is one Biden policy proposal? Can any primary voters answer that question? Yeah, he was Barry’s VP, we got that.
7
I voted for Bernie, but congratulations to Biden and his broader coalition. The expectedly high voter turnout for people under 35 never showed up for Bernie last night. Seems young people love to talk and not actually walk. Biden has a stronger case to be the nominee.
Whether he can defeat Trump in key Electoral College states like Wisconsin? I doubt it.
(Submitted 8:23 a.m. CT)
4
The whole thing was staged by the DNC in 48 hours. The people will not be fooled. There is still hope.
Bernie and Justice for the American people.
Down with the DNC Mafia.
5
To Elizabeth Warren: You were not, for policy reasons, my candidate. That said, I admire your resolve, chutzpah, terrific energy, warmth, focus, and what would appear to be the physical health only attainable by diet and exercise. You deserve applause for your sense of purpose; I imagine it stung to lose at home.
5
As a former Klobachar voter, I will gladly vote for Biden next week in the MO primary. I would also vote for Sanders for president. However, my local lifelong Dem friends are uncomfortable with Sanders, asking what he has accomplished in the Senate. They aren't uneasy with his "revolution" as it were. What concerns them is his actual record of serious accomplishments. Please don't paint every Biden supporter as a rejection of the progressive left of Sanders. There are plenty of us who are waiting for Sanders to tell us what exactly he has done in his time in the Senate, and how on earth he plans to pay for all his future ideas.
5
You could easily check his website or listen.
1
Time for Warren to drop out. She hasn't done better than third yet, and she lost her home state (MA) and her birthplace (OK) by a lot. There's no reason for her to stay in except to split the Progressive vote.
She said she would not take money form big PACS but has done so recently. Maybe she has cut a deal with Biden and the DNC to ease Biden to the nomination. It wouldn't surprise me if she had. It's time for a two-man contest.
It's also time for Bloomberg to drop out. He's going nowhere.
Biden fans and Blue Dogs shouldn't get too euphoric. His primary victories are mostly in states in which he has no chance against Trump, save VA and maybe NC. Big deal.
2
@Harvey Green if he takes the same states as HRC, plus N.C., he is 4 electoral votes from winning in November. And he has an 11 point lead against Trump in current FL polling. That’s the election, with no scrambling for a path.
@Anina NC is nowhere near a sure thing. Obama lost NC in 2012, especially in the Raleigh/Durham area. As for your numbers, do you not recall that HC lost the Electoral vote by 77 electoral votes (304-227)? Or are you assuming that Biden will win OH, PA, WI, and MI? Those are unwarranted assumptions.
Joe Biden is the only candidate that can reach across the wide swath of our country and is the most feared by trump. He in one sense, is the antidote to the tempering of the polarization that is tearing us apart. His ability to connect and like Gerald Ford, he can be a caretaker helping to heal us and at the same time assemble a great team which encompasses moderate and progressive solutions. Sanders unfortunately is a narrow ideologue whose proposals would never pass Congress. His democratic socialist label would be grist for the republicans to paint him as a danger to America. Harken back to Barry Goldwater labeled a nuclear bomb button pusher which resulted in LBJ's lopsided victory garnering 61.1 % of the popular vote.
4
I am heavily disappointed. Those who went in to vote for Biden, are looking out for their own interests.
Biden will not beat. I am ready for a surprise.
4
I made the painful choice yesterday to vote for Biden despite the fact that I definitely prefer Warren. The bottom line for me is
defeat Trump at all costs.
6
This morning I only see more division in this country based on generation and inequality. Nothing good is going to come from a Biden candidacy and things might get worse before they can get better.
7
Finally, the 'safe' choice emerges.
We should ignore the fact that he has enough political baggage to fill JFK airport, and speaks incoherently.
7
I don’t think Bernie could get anything done, except help elect Donald Trump.
Again.
7
Familiar and the safe won the night.
Biden is familiar with huge name recognition going for him.
Biden provides a sense of safety as the corona virus looms and many Americans feel economically vulnerable.
5
Elizabeth Warren is the "sweet spot" between the incompetent, confused, over-the-hill, lobbyist-supported, status quo-ridden Biden and the less organized and over the top Sanders. I am totally stunned that voters and the mainstream media are ignoring her and her sound policy proposals.
Note to DNC: I am tired of holding my nose to vote. It's old.
4
The Progressive wing's "righteous indignation" aimed at yesterday's results are only eclipsed by the bombastic narrative they've insulated themselves in that they own the moral high ground and everyone else is either a corporate stooge or a corrupt billionaire.
Yet here we are, still standing, as a nation, and frankly one step closer to the reconciliation we need - that only Joe Biden can provide. If yesterday taught us anything, it's that America does not love progressive socialism and does not love Bernie Sanders nearly as much as his supporters would have us believe.
3
As a Bernie supporter I can see where this is going and will do my part to defeat Trump, i.e. vote for Biden. I hope he picks Liz Warren as his running mate, he seems a bit lazy just winging it and needs someone to create plans and an agenda.
2
I can't help but think there are a lot of Republicans across these southern states registering as Democrats to vote in the Democratic primaries for the candidate they believe is weakest. Why do I think that? There's a commenter here who has admitted to doing just that.
1
Biden wins; the country loses. For a few minutes I had hope. I will vote for him, but I'm already dreading November. Will there be ANY good news in the utter ruin and destruction after Trump rolls over him and spits him out?
2
So Trump will win in 2020 - obvious. Sanders would destroy American businesses (even though he is a great US 'conscious'), and Joe is just too ….'old..as evidenced by his incoherent utterings.
1
The voters have spoken and they want Biden as the nominee because they feel confident he can rid us of Trump and truly heal a divided nation. If not for all the pre voting in California Biden might have won that state as well and effectively ended the nominating contest yesterday. The idea of having people voting weeks in advance during a primary that's in flux is ridiculous.
5
The trouble with the youth vote is it doesn't vote.
2
As must be obvious to many, most of the states Biden won are deep red states and in the electoral
college will trump Biden. Why aren't pundits mentioning this?
4
My take is that people aren't voting for Biden, they're voting for Obama by proxy, for something familiar, and anyone who thinks that Biden would be anything more than a figurehead as president is kidding themselves.
Which I don't take issue with necessarily, at this point in time, f it gets the job done of getting Trump out. And I'll vote for Biden is he's the nominee.
But as a supporter of Sanders, I'm sick to death of the establishment's contempt of him and his supporters.
6
Whoever wins should immediately begin attacking the chaos, corruption and bad policies of the Trump administration. Don't mock him or his looks or his absence of character.
2
It’s become imperative that Democrats run on a unity ticket.
3
Warren did relatively well in MN.
Assuming her supporters lean towards Bernie, he might have won here were she no longer in the race.
Biden is so yawn and doesn't seem mentally fit for the job anymore.
With the party this divided, it will be hard to beat Trump.
1
There is more at stake than just getting rid of Trump. If you vote to nominate Biden, we will all get what you deserve: more of the same, including another four years of Trump.
Think about it before you vote.
3
Democrats need to have a plan for what we're going to do if we get a Democratic president but don't win the senate. McConnell will try to pull that total resistance garbage again in the senate with judicial nominees. ESPECIALLY the supreme court. We can't just roll over and give up like we did with Merrick Garland, we have to have some kind of nuclear hardball offensive ready.
3
The writing is on the wall for Sanders' campaign. If there's a brokered convention, I see virtually no possibility they will give the nomination to someone who's registered as an Independent. As for Bloomberg, he was a Republican as Mayor of New York City. I see no chance of him receiving the nomination either. It will go to Biden.
2
I think of Biden as the vanilla candidate. While I like Bernie's fire, in the end I was afraid he would alienate too many voters and if I voted for him the fate of my country would be more of the orange cheeto. So far the revolutions in the Middle East and in Europe haven't turned out so well.
The Super Tuesday results seem to confirm the choice of a more safe bet, and the good thing about a vanilla candidate is that he can be enhanced by a great vice presidential pick. Biden's ability to sway the votes of many people may depend on his vice presidential choice, I'm hoping for a younger person with great speaking skills and a commitment to a more than vanilla progressive agenda. And I hope to see more candidates with progressive ideas elected in the House and Senate, where the candidates know their voters better than we do.
1
Four years ago, Hillary won the Democratic nomination due to overwhelming margins among African-American voters over Sanders, then lost the Presidency to Trump because African-American turnout plunged compared to 2008 and 2012 levels in Philly, Pittsburgh, Detroit and Milwaukee. The first part of this may be repeating for Biden. Avoiding a repeat of the second part will be a key to his chances of victory in November, if he becomes the nominee. Toward that end, it would be interesting to see the turnout levels among African-American voters in the states that have voted so far compared to the 2008 and 2016 primaries. Yes, there will be a drop compared to 2008, but there had better be a rise compared to 2016, esp. since Biden is explicitly embracing the legacy of being Obama’s VP. Also, if Biden does win the nomination, he and Sanders should work together in mobilizing the Latino vote, as this is an area where Sanders has shown strength (which is why he won California).
Unlike many, I’m not sold on the ability of any Democratic candidate, even Biden, to get a significant number of cross-over Republicans and right-leaning indies in November. Trump’s approval rating among Republicans is through the roof, and his approval among indies has, unfortunately, gone up post-impeachment. The key for the Democratic nominee will be to maximize turnout among core constituencies in the fall. Getting that right will be the difference between victory and defeat.
3
@Rick Biden got better turnout in SC than Obama, specifically among African Americans. It looked like the same thing happened in Virginia, North Carolina, and Alabama. There is arguably no group of people more under attack from Trump than African Americans, save Latinos and women. I think they will vote in November like they never have before.
1
There comes a time when a person's vision, and what he/she stands for, is more important that his congeniality. Yes: we must work with each other. And a leader is one who others will follow. But few politicians, few people, can be all things to all men all the time. Right now America needs a profound course-correction and Bernie Sanders has the vision and moral courage we need. He might not be the most likable person on the stage; likability didn't stop the Democrats from nominating Hillary in 2016. And Trump was definitely not the nicest of the Republicans. But he offered voters a different and a clear message.
Bernie appeals to many American voters who in their day-to-day lives feel the need for change. Biden had a great night but the campaign isn't over. Bernie needs to think about a progressive woman who has a higher congeniality quotient.
3
If Bernie is the nominee, we will certainly get 4 more years of Trump. Biden is not my first choice, but moderate Republicans will vote for him, not Bernie. Our primary goal is to get Trump out of office. It will take another 10 years before the country is ready for a progressive candidate.
11
It isn't even a question of Joe Biden "winning." Looking at the results, it's clear that anywhere from 60-75% of all Democratic voters prefer a moderate/centrist approach to "The Revolution," as described by Team Bernie. Those votes are just split between several candidates.
Bernie Sanders and his supporters should read the writing on the wall: That the undisputed majority of Democratic voters aren't on board with "The Revolution." That Joe Biden was able to secure victories despite those votes being split upwards of 4 ways is quite telling.
5
It looks like Sanders has not expanded his demographic much from 2016. Biden will bring in more people than Sanders. Sanders rigid base won't vote for anyone but Sanders, but they may not be needed by Democrats to win.
3
Or it may indicate a Trump landslide.
1
The “centrists “ think they don’t need progressives to win. Yet “centrist “ thinking is what got us Trump in the first place. We’ll see.
5
I'm glad there is some faith expressed in Joe Biden. I am cautious because the American 'center' is not an actual center, but an unsustainable collection of bland policy decisions. Centrists have recently left America with a dirtier environment, a wealthier 1%, and a more expensive health care system. This is why the majority of voters on both sides are voting against them.
1
Read the article one more time, this time without blinders.
1
Like many of my fellow Democratic voters, I have considered all the candidates. What turned me off Sanders for good was his doubling down on praising the Cuban government's literacy programs in the last debate. He had a chance to sound like a statesman, and reach out to a broader electorate and instead he sounded inflexible. His words may have had some truth to them, but that was besides the point. It's never a good idea to highlight the accomplishments of a dictatorship. I will vote for Biden in the IL primary.
7
There are other things to admire about Cuba. Nobody goes without health care. It’s illegal to evict someone from their home. But we think it’s fine that millions of Americans can’t afford to see a doctor and can’t afford to stay home when they are sick. Homeless line our streets and our response is “get a job!” But the idea of living wage jobs for all—like free health care for all—is off the table. So say “centrists”
1
Well said!
I hope we Democrats in fact have the savoir-faire to understand Biden and Bernie are on the same team, working for the same goal, the same purpose.
It is a giant plus for them to perform their functions for us exactly as it is unfolding. They are both solid Democrats, solid liberal men, neither is a megalomaniac -- but both relish prying one out of our midst.
2
Nnnnngghhh! [... the sound of orange juice coming up through my nose, after reading your comment.]
1
No they are not.
Let’s cut the sugar coated malarkey.
@John I am sure you'll find a way to recover that juice.
1
Can someone explain why "winning" a state is emphasized so much? Don't all states apportion delegates based on the popular vote to all candidates getting 15% or more of the vote? "Wining" a state doesn't mean much in delegate counts if two candidates get nearly the same popular vote.
I am NOT voting for Joe Biden or any of these other so-called moderates Democrats. I'm writing in Bernie Sanders.
If you all want progressives like me coming along, vote for Sanders.
2
Donald Trump thanks you for your vote.
4
Claudia, writing in Bernie will bring you four more years of fascism, with a person missing his marlbles, who happens to be a cruel narcissist, in charge. this is not the same as writing in Mickey mouse for class president because you've hated the real candidates since third grade. All : Claudia is why we need Bernie to help Joe win. Is he up to it?
1
I am doing the same and so is everyone in my family. Medicare for all is a life and death issue for us. Millions of Americans can’t afford to see a doctor and can’t afford their prescriptions anyway. And we can’t afford to stay home from work when we are sick.
1
Last night, the Dems showed that they can come together and mobilize their voters for a winning solution. This is super encouraging for a win in the general. Without Bloomberg in the race and without early voting reflecting the state of the race weeks ago, Biden may have even won California. It's clear that Biden is a True Blue Democrat who can unite us and Sanders does not have a path to victory. Let's unite and start building a 50-state grassroots campaign. And Biden - don't make Hillary's mistake - pick an exciting VP.
3
Disappointed in Bloomberg's showing, but I'll gladly vote for Biden at this point. Bernie's revolution can wait, what we need now is calm, measured leadership from Washington. Biden is smart enough to put smart people around him, and listen to their good advice.
I'm thinking Biden would have a larger pool of interested and capable talent to fill positions vs Bernie? Who wants to work with Grandpa Grumps?
5
What the Democrats are saying is not that they do or don't want a revolution. They are saying they don't believe Sanders can get Trump out of office and they feel that Joe is the best way to do that.
I myself am a Bloomberg supporter so I see it a little differently but the the voters are really starting to make the picture clear that Joe Biden is the safest, easiest way to get Trump out of office. Who am I to disagree? I'm voting Blue No Matter Who. But I do wish Bloomberg and more importantly his campaign strategist had taken the task a little more seriously from much earlier on.
Darn, that purity test in age of Trump didn't help either. Not to make light, but c'mon, goal number 1 is remove the existential threat to our democracy and all it's supportive framework.
I also don't understand how Warren collected more delegates that Bloomberg when it looked like he did as well or better than her. Somebody has to explain that to me.
3
THANK YOU to Mike Bloomberg for shifting the Democratic Party back to the center where the majority of us live and exist. Never in US history has a candidate so rapidly altered the course of an election. In 3 months he awoke Democrats from their slumber while Bernie attempted to start an ill-conceived revolution that everyone knows is impossible to implement or fund.
I am encouraged that sane, centrist Americans - and Democrats - are awake and engaged. THANKS, MIKE!
3
While a friend is a dyed-in-the-wool Sanders supporter who swears she will not vote moderate or for Biden, she is also basically a trust fund baby.
Wealth and capital is not all bad, when properly and ethically employed.
America, at this time, needs a moderate to transition the democrats into a centre-left "people" party. Not sure Biden is the one, but Sanders certainly isn't.
1
Americans need Medicare for All.
1
Seems like we now have a good race. Many people - most? - are fine with any of the candidates over Trump. (Anyone who isn’t deserves whatever they get...) They’ve been waiting for the field to narrow so they can commit to the anti-Trump vote. It showed in Biden’s big wins outside the South. Biden isn’t my first choice, but I will be fully behind him. No one would have expected LBJ to be the one pushing big changes through. Maybe we’ll get the same from Biden if he gets a strong win over Trump.
1
On the one hand, Bloomberg lost big so you could argue voters are not swayed by just money. But on the other hand, Biden won MA spending $0 there, no ads, no campaign infrastructure to speak of. Whatever pushed primary voters to Biden, it wasn’t a rational evaluation of his candidacy, either. It’s the idea of Joe Biden, a total fantasy, completely made up. With Biden, I think there is literally nothing there. Furthermore, there is clear evidence right before our eyes that Joe Biden has lost mental faculty and cannot communicate effectively either as a candidate or as as a leader. I fear that primary voters have made a terrible, irrational choice here.
2
I want Warren to stay in.....until Sanders has NO path to the nomination. She can attack Sanders as too far left, instead of Biden being the only candidate left to attack Sanders, and I don't think there's any worry that Warren will take away African American or Latino votes from Biden. Plus, what if Biden stumbles? At least we will have Warren as a choice.
2
I sincerely hope, more than anything, that this is the final nail in the coffin for punditry based on fundraising and advanced ground game. Trump gave us an inkling that it didn't really matter and Biden just proved it. His coffers were almost dry, he had almost no spending in these states, no real staff to speak of. In fact, this is good news. It proves that we unnecessarily spend the equivalent of small nations' GDPs on elections for no reason. Time to stop. We will all be better off for it.
2
Democrats never learn. Neither Biden nor Sanders will beat Trump. One is the always "losing" safe bet. The other is a wild card. Yep, four more years - of Trump.
1
It ain't over 'til it's over. There are more primaries to go.
If Biden becomes the candidate, Trump wins. The GOP will parade all of "Sleepy Joe's" skeletons from the closet, and his do-nothing policies will not galvanize enough voters to turn out in November. We get the government the rich buy.
3
Biden is considering a Republican for VP.
Hillary pick someone right of her and lost. Be happy with Trump and a 7 -2 supreme court. The sad thing is if either Biden or Trump wins we will see Social Security slashed. Who you think talked Obama up to suggest it in his budget deal?
2
I am a Sanders supporter and I am going to vote for him.
Elizabeth Warren hopefully has realized what she has wrought on the progressive movement. A number of states where Biden won, her not being in the race would likely have decidedly moved the race in Bernie's favor. *Despite* this, he has won in California.
In my opinion, I think the DNC is throwing this election--that's why they put forth such a weak candidate. If he wins, they win. If he loses, we lose.
And I know this comment will either get posted very late to be seen, or not posted at all. Continue rigging, establishmentarians!
2
If Bernie Sanders was as popular and dominant at the voting booth as he is on social media, Twitter and the NYT comments page, he would win the nomination in a landslide.
Somehow his dominance of social media doesn't always seem to translate well to the voting booth.
3
I’m disheartened and uninspired by last nights results. I thought the two most qualified and talented politicians in the Democratic race were clearly Warren and Klobuchar. Warren has a plan for everything, a comprehensive vision for the country that she brilliantly articulated in every debate with a background of setting up the CFPB and as a senator. Klobuchar consistently debated well - sometimes brilliantly - and has a history of passing bipartisan legislation that was unmatched by any other candidate. And we end up with two white guys. Ugh
3
Warren and Amy are white, too. Easy on the pejorative description, please.
I’m amazed how important the circus of the debating candidates is in the USA. What if a certain candidate is not as good in debating, but would make a great president? Why is debating such an important criterium? Maybe that person is a greater administrator than a talker.
1
One error in language; one in math. In language -- the article identifies Sanders' supporters s liberals. Please note, all of Biden's voters are also liberals. Some are more liberal than most of Sanders' voters. Careful with identities, please.
In the math: there are many large states left. There are many delegates that are not determined at this point. Just like Biden's fortune turned on a dime by one influential endorsement in SC, anyone's fortune (including Trump's) can reverse, on a dime, in this strange world of the United States.
Expect anything in a nation that would actually hire a person like Trump to run it, in an office that we openly put 'above the reach of our own law'.
4
Biden’s win is a triumph of fear over courage. Fear of Trump. Fear of losing. Fear of change. Fear of new ideas. Fear of vision. Fear of the brass ring that was within our grasp. It was a rejection of the courage we must have to move boldly forward and make progress as a people. It was a vote for standing still, hoping the whirlwinds of history will simply die down all on their own. I am sad and ashamed for my country today.
3
Bernie supporters are just like Trump supporters: Bernie is either the best ever or they are victims of some institutional conspiracy. Doesn’t that sound familiar?
5
I don't really care who the Democratic nominee turns out to be: Sanders, Biden or Warren (if she can somehow magically resurrect her campaign). But it's well past time for the front-runners to tone down the inter-family rhetoric, and save their anger and barbs for Trump.
Bernie, I'm talking to you. You often sound like someone with an anger management problem. Biden is not your enemy- Trump is. Is it possible, just possible, that you can make a case for yourself without making it a zero-sum game? I'm beginning to think you can't.
Which makes me wonder how you can govern, if you can't relate well to others with differing views, or ever compromise.
The coming civil war should not be between members of the same party. It should be between those who value the rule of law, and those who embrace a dictatorship. THAT's what this election is about- the issues of health care reform and addressing climate change are rounding errors, compared to what will happen to this country if Trump and his enablers are given free reign for another 4 years. Trust me, you ain't seen nothin' yet.
So try to play nicely together- you're going to need each other in November and beyond.
1
Ok.... so if Biden continues to surge and Bernie continues to falter, it would be time for Bernie or Busters and young voters to take their thumbs out of their mouths, hold their nose and vote in huge numbers for Joe. November will tell if they learned anything at all in the last three years.
1
How did this happen that out of 24 or so candidates - many of them younger, talented, experienced - we are left with 4 septuagenarians to choose from.
Now basically down to two old men, one of them will win to try to take down another old man currently soiling the White House.
Very discouraging, but it's what we've got, so I will vote for whichever old dude wins the nomination.
2
Although we haven't heard the words "Hunter Biden" from the Trump contingent since he lost Iowa and appeared out of play, we should expect the false accusations and "fake news" to resurface in the next 24 hours.
1
So a guy that calls a foreign Chief of State, in this case President XI of China,"a thug",is going to be, perhaps, the next president of the USA. What this tells me, apart from the other rhetoric against China and Russia coming out of the mouth of Biden, that in the best case we will see a new cold war starting if he wins the presidency. In the worst case the mind-boggling high military budget that we have will at least remain almost unthinkable high, if not surpass the $1 Trillion mark. Like the quote says "Every country has the government it deserves". Indeed.
I supported Bernie in '16 and voted for him in the NJ primary, even though it was impossible for him to win at that point, to register my support. I voted for Hillary in the general election because, relative to Trump, there was no question who would be the better President--even if they weren't the better candidate.
For those who stayed home in protest or for lack of enthusiasm for Hillary: how do you like your 2 new Supreme Court judges? the hundreds of conservative judges given lifetime appointments? do your 20-something kids rely on the ACA? do you or your loved ones have a pre-existing condition? are you counting on every penny of your Social Security? are you overwhelmed by the daily onslaught of maddening headlines? are you yearning to get back to your regular reading instead of feeling compelled to try to stay abreast of the chaos?
Biden would be the first to admit he's not the best debater. Nobody with a stutter would fare well in that setting. (Networks, please kill mics and return some order to these proceedings) But I hear far more depth from him than from Bernie, regardless of the setting in which the two are speaking. And when Biden is in a town hall, with the air cleared for him to speak, he's extremely thoughtful and shows great depth. Every time Bernie mentions the Iraq vote, I blame the Bush administration, not Biden.
Vote your heart in the primary but SHOW UP AND VOTE BLUE NO MATTER WHO in November. America cannot withstand 4 more years of Trump.
2
Is anyone really surprised? Biden, as bad as he is, is the only moderate candidate in the bunch. Hmm, pick between socialists who promise free everything (healthcare, college, tuition reimbursement, ...) with no concrete plans on how to pay for it or implement it, or a moderate who is more middle of the road. The Democrats allowed a few radical members to bring the party to the edge of the cliff. This will cost them in the 2020 Presidential election.
1
Unfortunately, Sanders needs to start running for a Cabinet post instead of President. He turned into "Skid Down the Runway" McCain overnight and needs to smarten up quickly. Otherwise, he will be lost to history as a grumpy old man that died whittling sticks on a Vermont country store porch chatting about the Revolution that never happened. I'd be on the phone with Joe Biden asking for a position in the new administration.
2
Yup, America prefers a moderate. But we already knew that. Right? Yes we did. From here on out Biden will gather more states and more delegates. Bernie just can’t win a national election. Sorry Bernie, you did a great job and we still love you. Enjoy the convention!
1
These primaries are driven by fear of the absolute worst second term Trump. This is so sad! This county is desperately in need for a progressive change. It’s a couple of decades overdue. Electing Biden will not do much in that respect, maybe just 8 years of “blah”. Then we’ll be again facing a high probability of another lying republican elected after democrats fail to impress. I would so much like Warren to be our president. But as Bernie said, we are not ready for a woman president either.
1
This article, as so many from the very outset, plays down Biden's decisive victory. Take a look at 538 later today and crunch the numbers. There is no way Sanders is going to the convention ahead of Biden.
Deal with it.
1
Two man race? Have you seen the States that are coming up? All Biden states. This race is over except for the shouting. The only question that remains is who will Biden pick as his running mate.
From this point on Joe Biden needs secret service protection, as the next President of the United States this is paramount, he should also cut back on his campaigning, and stick to TV commercials, everyone knows who Biden is and what he stands for, and most people know that he the man that is going to defeat Trump. Biden won States he didn't even campaign in, and that will be the trend, he no longer has to go out shaking hands, especially now, just hold a few big rallies, in front of bullet proof screens. Right now Joe Biden is the most important man on the face of the earth. May god look after him and keep him safe.
1
Two debate events, and subsequent incessant repetition, sank Warren’s campaign: making a ridiculous issue of the “wine cave,” and the violent pounce on Bloomberg three minutes into his first debate appearance. She plunged from prime time to petty irrelevance, and poll numbers followed. Let’s drop charges of gender bias and being dismissed by male candidates and commentators: these acts, combined with an ever shriller delivery, doomed her.
I saw one commenter here paraphrasing James Carville saying the voters want normalcy. Really? Will 4 more years of Trump provide that? I am nearly 70 and am sick to death of the wealthy controlling our government. There is a simple but telling chart circulating that shows the candidates and their billionaire backers quarter by quarter. Right now "Smilin' Joe"has racked up 61 billionaire donors. Isn't that alone enough to open the eyes of the public?! Isn't his horrific voting record an added incentive to reject him as a candidate?! As for his connection to Obama...tell me, how did the working class/underclass fare under 8 years of neoliberal corporate Democratic leadership?
2
The most entertaining part of this spectacle is the implosion of Elizabeth Warren's campaign.
1
No other way to say it, a trouncing by Biden and a very disappointing night for Sanders. Remember, he was supposed to come out of this with a commanding if not “insurmountable” lead.
There was also supposed to be this huge groundswell rising up for him. Looks like he has done some of that with the Hispanic and youth vote but if you end up far short of an uninspiring 78-year old “establishment” candidate, I’d say it’s not a sea change.
Sanders supporter here but I suppose it might be time to get behind Biden. In no way exciting and I suspect it’s a mistake exactly in line with anointing Hilary in 2016, but the writing does appear to be on the wall.
172
@Tim The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. Good luck with another scandal ridden neoliberal centrist corporate shill. I'm sure he'll win in Nov. Hahahahaha.
19
@Tim Vote blue no matter who. I was a Warren supporter to shifted to Bernie when it became apparent he was the liberal standard bearer. I'm not excited to vote for Biden, but at least Bloomberg got shellacked.
15
@Tim I too am a Washingtonian and likely will vote for Biden now. My heart is with Warren but I will vote for whomever can beat Trump. I think that person is Biden
22
All I know is if Biden is the nominee and defeats Trump, nothing, NOTHING, will change for the better for the middle class and the poor. Not all of it will be on Biden, as a lot of middle of the road Congress people and Senators will keep things status quo. Obama came in with a lot of hope and promise and what did we get? A Republican-lite health care plan. Costs are still going up. No hard consequences for the perpetrators of the the Wall Street meltdown in 2008. We now live in a surveillance state. College costs are still astronomical.
Clinton, Gore, H. Clinton, Biden and to some extent Obama = Let’s not make waves, let’s not try to achieve hard things, let’s not try to enact real change.
One thing that will make me a little more enthusiastic about a Biden nomination is if he picks a dynamic, young running mate like Kamala Harris or Cory Booker.
I’ll vote for Biden over Trump but it’s not exactly a difficult choice. It’s a vote against Trump more than a vote for someone who shares my viewpoints.
2
Revive is right! If he hadn't gotten his key supports from the party and by the other candidates who dropped out ever so timely, then I dare say we'd be talking about a Bernie win.
Despite what happens between now and the party convention, Biden is going to have to get his act together and find a way to pull in a significant chunk of the party that supports Bernie, because even after the wins in the South, I'm still not convinced he has what it takes to attract center right and independent voters.
3
I, and millions like me, do support progressive change regarding income equality, protecting the environment, access to affordable, quality health care and more. However, I recognize that change comes incrementally, not in a revolution. Bernie, somewhat like Trump, is speaking to about 25% of us. Joe will speak to and for all of us, even if some don't want to be in the conversation.
1
Bernie is not my ideal candidate but I have a great deal of respect for him and will vote for him in the general election without question. But I really don't understand his base. I'm not at all surprised to read the comments here accusing the establishment, the DNC, and party insiders of some grand conspiracy against Bernie. Last night Democratic voters from 14 DIVERSE states--blue, red, and purple, North, South, and West--came out to vote. The results are what they are this morning because of them. There are still some large and diverse states to vote. If Bernie can't win these states in a Democratic Primary--some of which will be critical to an Electoral College--how is he supposed to all of a sudden win them in November when Republicans and indpendents show up at the polls? I'm not making the case for Biden here, but I find the logic of Bernie's base baffling. Bernie did not make a strong case for his ability to win a general election last night. It was the Democratic voters that decided that. No one else.
3
Bernie Sanders did lose a number of states to Joe Biden, yes, but my question is: Will those states vote for Sanders over Trump in a general election?
1
I'd like to propose a new campaign slogan for Joe:
Biden: Our Time
Because that's what we'll be doing. Biding our time until someone better comes along.
I like and respect Joe Biden. He is a good decent man. If he is the nominee, I will absolutely vote for him. But I just can't see myself getting enthusiastic about this campaign.
16
@MidtownATL:
I'd like to propose a new campaign slogan for Joe:
Biden: Hope for (no) Change, or No Hope for Change.
1
I see “Hillary Biden her Time,” because, if she becomes his VP, she’ll be biding her time.
It's time for Warren and Bloomberg to do the right things and drop out, and put their time and energy behind either candidate. We need to focus now. Also these rather old candidates should start to strongly hint who they would like as a running mate, for this race that role with be crucial for the ticket. Who will carry the baton in possibly 4 years or less.
8
@Fromjersey Bloomberg said he’d put billions behind the candidate even if it wasn’t himself.
The democratic Establishment is not the problem, The Selfishness of Liberals is The Problem in terms of Elizabeth Warren dividing the liberal votes even when it's obvious She Can't Even Win A State She Represents As A Senator (Massachusetts) Or The State That She Was Born (Oklahoma), and MoveOn.org and Democracy For America Refuse To Endorse On Time The Obvious Progressive Presidential Candidate who historically won the first three early primary states. The Progressives have a rare opportunity in almost a century to elect a progressive candidate since FDR, but instead dwell in Individual Selfishness And Organizational Selfishness. What does this say about the Liberals or Progressives? But A Big Thank You To California, the biggest and richest state, for not bowing to the democratic Establishment last minute coordinated scare tactics that falsely claimed that Bernie is not electable.
10
@Ukosi How silly. Warren has as much right to run as anyone. And if you add up her and Sanders’ votes they’re still well behind the “establishment.”
1
African-Americans are showing themselves to be an effective part of Democratic "machine" politics, where local leadership - civic, church - gets the constituency out to vote. (I vividly remember a large group of handsome, well-dressed Black men leaving a DP meeting house in Brooklyn on primary day 2016, undoubtedly to "encourage" people to check the Hillary box.) This in itself does not demonstrate enthusiasm in the Black community as a whole, however and, as Edsall points out, Trump is aggressively wooing their votes. You have to believe many are disaffected by the endless promises of the Democratic Party that never materialize.
Unless turnout in the A-A community was high, and included groups who do not usually vote in primaries, information that is not given in this article, I don't think A-A support in the general election can be counted on by Biden, or any other Democratic candidate.
What the reporters should be analyzing in general is voter turnout, percentage-wise, and how that compares to other primary years. That's the big indicator of how the candidate will do in the general election.
3
The ticket is Biden /Warren for the whole package of restore and evolve. We need them together for their unique experience. Warren will be the next President after Biden. Get together we need an economic revolution, but not the chaos offered by Sanders.
7
@timit As my mother-in-law used to say: From your lips to God’s ears.
@timit Warren would be 79 if Biden did two terms. Forget about it.
Music to my ear!
With Biden's almost shocking victory last night, it seems as though the Democratic electorate said in a resounding voice we don't want revolution, we want stability and a return to normalcy that has been absent during the last four years.
Whether Biden can continue his march to the nomination and then to the presidency remains to be seen. But, his victory last night will go down as one of the most stunning political comebacks in history. And, many will say that it was Jim Cliburn's endorsement of Biden in South Carolina that got the ball rolling. It underscores for both parties the importance of the African-American vote and should not be taken for granted. We shall see if the parties can woo that voting block in November. Trump is already trying to accomplish that end but it is questionable at this juncture if, given his stance ambiguous stance of white supremacy in this country, if he can succeed.
8
So Biden carried South Carolina, and that makes him the premier Democratic candidate? Wow. Hardly a compelling conclusion. From what I can tell, results across most states seem inconclusive. Be careful of promoting confirmation bias.
11
I’m still voting for Warren if she’s still in the race when it comes to my state. But if she loses she should look back at why she took so long to go after Sanders who was clearly the obstacle in her lane.
5
It seems to me that the messages of Biden and Sanders are less of a problem than the messengers themselves. I would have preferred someone with much more of a future and less of a past.
1
Biden is surely among the weakest, if not the weakest, of all contenders. It'll be a great mistake for the Democratic party to back him neglecting all fairness of the process and more trouble will be during November. Only party loyalty can not help any such fiercely pro-party and status-quo candidate to win any general election now. A significantly large section of American electorate are very frustrated against both the parties and that's why a total outsider like Trump got so much support among Republican supporters. Meterioratic rise of "independent" Bernie is another great example.
Both the political parties need to introspect and reform. That would never happen if Biden, surely the weakest among two front runners, is elected and been fully controlled by party and corporate establishment that basically helped erosion of trust in Democratic party and also on democracy/Congress.
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The only people surprised by this outcome are pundits and those in the media whose obsession with identity allowed them to gorge on the identity smorgasbord of all the candidates.
If anything, it was their own obsession with identity that bolstered democratic candidates who had zero chance of winning. It was always going to be Sanders and Biden.
2
I honestly don’t understand the election system. How can 4 mil people vote for Biden and 1.6 vote for Warren and Bloomberg yet the delegate split is 15:1. Thats not a democracy. Its some sort of numbers game someone invented. How can one persons vote be worth a tenth of another persons vote? Everyone is talking about Russia and facebook but we should also talk about the lack of democratic representation when everything goes the way its supposed to.
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It seems pretty clear that Biden’s big win in SC last Saturday changed the trajectory, though Sanders still was able to eek out a win in three still multi-candidate states, including his own state of Vermont. Take away Sanders, and Biden will clean up. The question is whether Sanders will go away on his own once it’s clear he can’t expand his base (sound familiar?)—or decide to run as an independent candidate since he has no real party loyalty, and in fact isn’t even a registered Democrat.
3
Bernie supporters could still get on the Dem train and stop Trump if that is their goal. Instead of burning the bridge with the Dem party they can try to change the conversation and get a seat at the table and see if and how the Medicare for All can be adopted. Instead of blaming be a part of the solution to help the country heal. They have to be pragmatic to bring a winning coalition.
3
Super Tuesday states are overwhelmingly old south states. Not necessarily representative of the country as a whole. Let’s keep an open mind until all the primaries have their say.
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A similar thing happened in 2016, where Hillary amassed a lot of delegates from states that will ultimately vote red in the general election. Biden won decisively in Alabama and Utah. That's great for winning the battle, less so for winning the war.
7
Past midnight in CA, early morning when I tried to get an exact delegate count from NY Times and CNN news, I did not get a clear picture of the delegate count. Probably because they did not want to declare Bernie , the winner in California. Thank you Fox News for giving a clear table of the delegate position at the end of Super Tuesday. Biden 381, Bernie 336, Warren, distant 43 after losing home state of MA. The 2 women candidates endorsed by NYT Edi board have therefore lost and Bernie if he said a woman cannot be president is once again proved by the Democratic party to be true.
On the Republican side, Trump has 661 delegates, while Bill Weld, former governor of MA has 1. Trump is past the half way mark to win the nomination of the Republican party.
As far as the VP in the Democratic party is concerned, Warren and Gabbard are up for grabs. I think quid pro Joe will take Warren and Bernie will take Gabbard after they exit the race. Who know what happens to Mike. Glad it has become clear that billions wasted on ads does not impress voters except in American Samoa.
4
@Girish Kotwal If only those billions were used to invest in the causes he claims to care about instead of ADS
The systematic and second political assassination of Bernie is going as planned! The status quo Democratic voters will again succeed in preventing the American middle class from having affordable daycare, health care and education, whatever the outcome of the November election may be. Even if elected, their favorite candidates will have to repay their rich contributors with favors so nothing will change! This corruption has been going on forever. No worries, in any case, these same play safe people are going to deliver us four more years of Orange glow insanity! Sadly, young Americans will live in a kleptocracy, plutocracy some kind of oligarchy, a dictatorship of sort. A US democracy will continue being some utopian vision as regressive and controlling leaders in both parties pull back to protect their privileges.
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