Joe Biden confirms his position as favorite rival to favorite Bernie Sanders to win the Democratic Party nomination. The former American vice president won, on Saturday, February 29, the caucuses in South Carolina. After three disappointing results in previous states, this is Joe Biden's first victory in the Democratic primaries.
According to still incomplete results, independent senator Bernie Sanders, 78, came second (20%), far behind Joe Biden (48.50%).
Fighting after he was buried too quickly by the media, Barack Obama's former right-hand man said he had "Won by far" in South Carolina, in front of cheering supporters in Columbia, the capital of this state where blacks, among whom he is very popular, represent more than half of the democratic electorate. "You propelled us on the path to go and beat Donald Trump", added the 77-year-old candidate, to the applause.
The septuagenarian was in dire need of this victory, having only come fourth and fifth, respectively, in Iowa and New Hampshire. Admittedly, he had climbed to second place in Nevada, but he was far from independent senator Bernie Sanders, who clearly replaced him in the favorite status of the Democratic primaries.
Tom Steyer abandons campaign
From the northeastern tip of the United States to California, candidates will travel the country for the next 72 hours. Favorite, Mr. Sanders congratulated Mr. Biden at a campaign meeting in Virginia, which will vote on March 3, while saying " very proud " of its three excellent results in the early states. "We can't win everything", he launched before quickly turning the page: "And now we are entering the "Super tuesday". "
Behind MM. Sanders and Biden, six other candidates are still in the running for the Democratic nomination, many of whom will play their survival in the coming days.
In South Carolina, billionaire Tom Steyer, 62, rose to third place through an intense campaign, which has already cost him more than $ 20 million. But immediately after the results were published, he decided to give up the race for the White House.
"We were disappointed with our result"admitted Mr. Steyer to his supporters. "I said if I didn't see the way to victory, I would end my candidacy. I do not see a way to win the presidency. "
