One cause it was so broadly assumed Sanders would take a big delegate lead on Tremendous Tuesday was that we had a direct analogue — Republica
One cause it was so broadly assumed Sanders would take a big delegate lead on Tremendous Tuesday was that we had a direct analogue — Republicans nominated Donald Trump in 2016 when he jumped out to a lead by successful plurality victories towards a fractured area. If Republicans couldn’t unite to blunt Trump, why would Democrats fare any higher towards Sanders?
That the Democrats managed it speaks to the completely different temper and dynamic of the occasion in contrast with the GOP in 2016.
4 years in the past, Republicans loathed their occasion institution and had turned their backs on their rapid previous president, George W. Bush, who left workplace saddled with an unpopular struggle and a devastating monetary disaster. Sanders desires to foment a revolution towards the Democratic institution. This resonates along with his supporters however isn’t a widespread sentiment throughout the occasion.
As Peter Beinart factors out in The Atlantic, Bush and his signature initiative, the Iraq Struggle, weren’t fashionable with Republicans, whereas Barack Obama and his signature initiative, Obamacare, are fashionable with Democrats.
This made it potential for Biden to run on restoration fairly than revolution and discover an viewers, particularly in South Carolina, the place many citizens advised exit pollsters they wished a return to Obama insurance policies.
It additionally meant that, as a normal matter, pillars of the occasion institution hadn’t been discredited. The largest second for Biden over the previous two weeks was the endorsement of a 14-term congressman and member of congressional management who has the credibility to maneuver votes in South Carolina. A jaw-dropping 61 p.c of voters stated Clyburn’s endorsement was necessary of their choice.
After Biden’s smashing victory in South Carolina, the occasion fell in line amazingly shortly. Pete Buttigieg and Amy Klobuchar received out and endorsed Biden, and former candidate Beto O’Rourke did the identical. Buttigieg endorsed after reportedly speaking to Obama. It was a collective motion of the…