THE THREE-DAY TURNAROUND
By Ron Faucheux
One is tempted to declare the Democratic nomination race over. Without much money and organization, Joe Biden benefitted from a remarkable turnaround in just three days.
Yesterday, Biden won 10 states. A week ago, he would have been lucky to have won four or five. The polls we reported earlier this week showed such a sudden shift that they were hard to believe.
Over the last three days, Biden broke Sanders’ momentum. He rallied a big chunk of the party around him. It was the strongest late-breaking, multi-primary surge we’ve ever seen. The only thing that limited its extent were the early votes cast before the surge began. Biden’s support among African American Democrats provided a foundation that no rival could fracture.
Pete Buttigieg and Amy Klobuchar are also winners. They got out just in time and can share the credit for Biden’s Super Tuesday wins. Michael Bloomberg was wise withdrawing quickly. He had real momentum until the first debate, which broke the spell. Biden’s comeback blocked Bloomberg’s remaining path. Now, the former New York City mayor can play a decisive role supporting Biden’s campaign.
Elizabeth Warren has yet to win any states. She lost her home state of Massachusetts, running third. What else is there to say?
While Bernie Sanders has lost momentum, and will have a tough struggle regaining it, he still has significant strengths––a boat load of pledged delegates and, most importantly, the heart and soul of the progressive left. Over the last week, Democrats stared the possibility of a Sanders-Trump race in its face, and they were terrified. The Vermont senator’s comments about Communist authoritarian regimes, for many voters, was the last straw. The potential threat his nomination posed to down ballot Democrats motivated party cognoscenti to act.
The media precipitously declared Sanders the frontrunner after Nevada on the basis of a single caucus victory and two near ties in Iowa and New Hampshire. In truth, the race was in transition without a frontrunner. The kaleidoscope was turning and voters were deciding. The manic need to always have a frontrunner, no matter the situation, is a practice that should end.
There are still votes to be cast and delegates to be won––and Sanders remains a serious player. But, his road to the nomination is narrow and bumpy. It’s Biden’s race to lose. |
