Biden Wins South Carolina

President Joe Biden secured a decisive victory in the Democratic primary in South Carolina on Saturday, as reported by Newsmax after the polls closed. Despite indications of low turnout, Biden emerged victorious over other less prominent Democratic candidates on the state’s ballot, such as Rep. Dean Phillips of Minnesota and author Marianne Williamson.

Biden’s campaign had invested significantly in driving up voter turnout, especially among Black voters, a crucial demographic within the Democratic electorate in South Carolina and integral to Biden’s overall strategy for success in the November elections.

This triumph for Biden took place in a state that he and fellow party leaders had recommended as the starting point for the Democratic primary calendar in 2024. South Carolina’s selection was based on its considerably more diverse population compared to the predominantly white states of Iowa and New Hampshire, traditionally the first to hold primary elections.

Despite the Democratic National Committee’s recommendation, New Hampshire proceeded with its primary last month without official party backing. Nevertheless, Biden secured a substantial victory in New Hampshire through a write-in campaign organized by his supporters.

South Carolina holds a special place in Biden’s political journey, having played a pivotal role in propelling him towards the White House in 2020. Now, as he seeks reelection, the state serves as a crucial battleground in anticipation of a likely rematch with Republican Donald Trump.

Voter turnout in several polling booths in Charleston was notably low, with many residents seemingly viewing Biden’s victory in South Carolina as a predictable outcome. Biden himself encouraged voters through a video message, emphasizing the importance of their participation.

Some voters expressed reservations about Biden’s candidacy, describing it as a choice between the “lesser of two evils.” While acknowledging satisfaction with his record, there was a general sentiment of tepid enthusiasm for his second-term bid. Nonetheless, many voters emphasized a preference for Biden over the alternative of seeing Trump return to office.

Biden, having faced only two long-shot challengers in the primary – Dean Phillips and Marianne Williamson – is already looking ahead to the upcoming primary in Nevada. He expressed confidence in his campaign’s progress during a visit to his headquarters in Delaware, emphasizing his opponent’s lack of a clear agenda.

South Carolina holds symbolic significance for Biden as a test of his appeal to Black voters, a constituency that played a vital role in his previous electoral success. Recent polls indicate some erosion of support among Black voters, particularly the younger demographic, citing a perceived lack of attention to their priorities by the Biden administration.

Despite the challenges, Biden remains optimistic, pointing to his unofficial victory in the New Hampshire primary and positioning South Carolina as a critical battleground to demonstrate his support among Black voters. As the 2024 election cycle unfolds, all eyes are on South Carolina, with its diverse electorate and potential implications for the broader Democratic strategy.