By Elliott Brack
Editor and Publisher, GwinnettForum
FEB. 21, 2020 | Five Democratic debate candidates for president “welcomed” Mike Bloomberg to the debate stage Wednesday night, all seeking to take the late-blooming Bloomberg down a notch from his purchased double-digit showing in the polls. So far Mr. Bloomberg has not faced the voters. We’ll see Saturday what the Nevada caucus thinks of him, then follow the South Carolina primary on February 29 to see if Mr. Bloomberg has any real traction with voters.
The fact that not one of the major Democratic candidates has nailed down significant long-term support (or delegates) has given Mr. Bloomberg a chance to stand with the major five remaining candidates. With many thinking that Sen. Bernie Sanders, while in a good position after Iowa and New Hampshire, is leading the field, still the others are close enough so that nothing is really decided yet.
Wednesday’s debate had positive results for Joe Biden. Not registering solidly in Iowa and New Hampshire, his passion in the debate played well with his followers. Some say that this put him back on track, no matter what happens in Nevada. Mr. Biden is also anticipated to score well with South Carolina voters next weekend. If he fails on that account, it could point to him being in a poor position before Super Tuesday.
Scoring well on stage Wednesday was Elizabeth Warren, one of the challengers who went after Mr. Bloomberg viciously. She had to make a strong showing, after the earlier contests did not place her among the leaders. Her efforts will probably result in a surge in contributions to her campaign, something she desperately needs, and positions her so that she can remain in the race.
Young Pete Buttigieg continues in the race, though not as hard-hitting against Mr. Bloomberg as was Ms. Warren. His early surprise showings in Iowa and New Hampshire places him in a good position in the coming weeks.
Time the candidates finish in South Carolina, they will have only one week to campaign in the Super Tuesday primaries on March 3. Altogether 14 states will be voting. Look at this line up in these primaries:
The states of Alabama, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont and Virginia. Whew! American Samoa will also have a caucus. You wonder will an obvious Democratic leader be chosen by then.
Now, if the candidates after Super Tuesday still have a taste to remain running for president, only one week later, March 10, these six states will be voting in the Democratic primary: Idaho, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, North Dakota and Washington. (Hawaii also has a Republican primary.)
Then on March 17, comes primaries in Arizona, Florida, Illinois and Ohio.
Somewhere along these dates, no doubt the Democratic field will be heavily diminished.
Finally…..on March 24, Georgians get to vote with its Democratic presidential primary. By now we suspect the contest for the Democratic nomination might have been determined. The Georgia race could be a hollow one. (Note that Georgia’s primary for local races will be May 19. Why Georgia votes so late is another story.)
After Georgia, a few more states still will not have voted. That includes Alaska, Hawaii (Democrats only), Louisiana, Wyoming, Wisconsin, Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Kansas, Indiana, Nebraska, West Virginia, Kentucky and Oregon.
The last states to have a Democratic primary are on June 2 in Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico and South Dakota. You wonder why these are so late!
The Democratic National Convention is on July 13-16 in Milwaukee. We’re inching toward there. Stay tuned.
- Have a comment? Send to: elliott@brack.net
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