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Joe Biden campaigning in South Carolina ahead of crucial Democrat primary - live updates Joe Biden campaigning in South Carolina ahead of crucial Democrat primary - live updates
(32 minutes later)
Secretary of State appearing before House Committee on foreign affairs to give evidence on US policy in the middle eastSecretary of State appearing before House Committee on foreign affairs to give evidence on US policy in the middle east
The Democratic race is in full swing, with votes in South Carolina on Saturday and then in over a dozen states including California on Super Tuesday, 3 March. Who are the key contenders as the race enters its next phase?
Bernie Sanders
Who:
Veteran socialist senator from Vermont and Democratic frontrunner who thinks his ship may finally have come in.
Strengths:
Huge army of passionate voters. Distinctive and consistent policy platform. Powerful momentum from success in first three contests of primary race.
Weaknesses:
Leftwing policies and “socialist” label may prove a bridge too far for many moderate Americans. Decades of outspoken affinity with leftwing causes is already being weaponised against him.
Key quote:
“Every other major country on Earth has achieved universal health care. This is the wealthiest nation in the world and there is no reason we cannot do the same.”
Key policies:
Universal public healthcare system and abolition of health insurance. Paid parental leave. Free college tuition. Support for radical Green New Deal to tackle climate change and create jobs.
Joe Biden
Who:
Personable former vice-president to Barack Obama whose shaky performance in the primary race has seen his lead disintegrate and his frontrunner status disappear.
Strengths:
Pundits thought his folksy manner, working-class roots and moderate policies would appeal to rust-belt voters won by Donald Trump in 2016.
Weaknesses:
Voters seemed less convinced after a series of muddled debates and gaffe-prone public appearances. Although many make the argument that “your uncle would vote for him”, it’s hard to find anyone actually excited about the prospect of President Biden.
Key quote:
“I ain’t a socialist, I ain’t a plutocrat, I’m a Democrat.”
Key policies:
“Public option” to compete with private health insurance. Green New Deal. Repealing capital punishment. Decriminalisation of cannabis.
Michael Bloomberg
Who:
Billionaire businessman and former New York mayor distrusted by many liberals who has steadily climbed in the polls thanks to big spending.
Strengths:
Limitless spending power. Centrist policies that may win over some Republicans. Record of business success that contrasts favorably with Trump’s.
Weaknesses:
Originally elected in New York as a Republican, Bloomberg is viewed by many liberals as a Democrat in name only and the kind of super-rich businessman they exist to rein in. Controversies over alleged sexist, racist and anti-trans remarks, a discriminatory policing policy known as “stop and frisk”, and the treatment of women at his business have not helped.
Key quote:
“Two billionaires [running]? Who’s the second one?”
Key policies:
Universal background checks for gun purchases, assault weapons ban and crackdown on gun trafficking. Net zero carbon emissions by 2050. “Public option” for healthcare.
Elizabeth Warren
Who:
Liberal Massachusetts senator and financial services expert who has been crowded out by Sanders and the moderates.
Strengths:
Less leftwing than Sanders, much less rightwing than Bloomberg, more experienced than Buttigieg, more convincing than Biden. Would be the first woman president.
Weaknesses:
Not as ideologically pure as Sanders, not as rich as Bloomberg, not as fresh as Buttigieg, less appeal in the heartland than Biden. Sexism is probably playing a role in dragging her down.
Key quote:
“I’d like to talk about who we’re running against: a billionaire who calls women fat broads and horse-faced lesbians. No, I’m not talking about Donald Trump. I’m talking about Mayor Bloomberg.”
Key policies:
Wealth tax on those worth more than $50m. Universal childcare. Relief of student loan debts. Supports the Green New Deal, public healthcare replacing health insurance and breaking up the big tech companies.
Pete Buttigieg
Who:
Small-town Indiana mayor who would be first gay president and needs to build on strong early start in Iowa or risk fading away.
Strengths:
Millennial military veteran who presents himself as the young and upbeat voice of moderation, compromise and national unity.
Weaknesses:
His main political experience comprises eight years as mayor of South Bend, Indiana, a city of 100,000 people. As mayor he made enemies of many black voters – something that has hobbled him in the Democratic race. It remains to be seen how homophobia would affect his chances if he became the nominee.
Key quote:
“We need a president focused on the future and ready to leave the politics of the past in the past.”
Key policies:
Backs a publicly run health insurance scheme, background checks for gun-buyers, a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants, and a moderate climate change plan.
Also running
Businessman Tom Steyer has poured money into South Carolina and is hoping for a strong showing there. Minnesota senator Amy Klobuchar has had her moments but it’s hard to see where she goes from here. The quixotic Hawaii congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard made the most impact when she sued Hillary Clinton for calling her a Russian asset.
Ahead of his appearance at the House committee of foreign affairs this morning, Mike Pompeo has published his opening witness statement, and it is fair to say that he does not mince his words about the Trump administration’s attitude to Iran. Among other things he says:
Iran is the world’s number one state sponsor of terrorism – and anti-Semitism.
Its forces, and the militias it supports, prop up Syria’s Bashar Assad, undermine democracy in Lebanon and Iraq, and steal humanitarian aid in Yemen.
Iran is responsible for downing a civilian airliner in January. 176 people were killed. The regime lied about that tragedy, and still hasn’t turned over the black box.
The regime just rigged an election – yet again denying the Iranian people the free and fair elections they’ve sought for 41 years.
You can read the full statement here.
Good morning - there’s quite a bit on the agenda today.Good morning - there’s quite a bit on the agenda today.
It is the final full day of campaigning before the South Carolina primary, and Joe Biden, Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren and Tom Steyer are all in the state today. Joe Biden has been considered the frontrunner in the southernmost state to vote so far, but he needs a decisive victory over Sanders if he’s to convince people that his campaign has a chance of eclipsing the leftwing senator and making a strong push for the nomination.It is the final full day of campaigning before the South Carolina primary, and Joe Biden, Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren and Tom Steyer are all in the state today. Joe Biden has been considered the frontrunner in the southernmost state to vote so far, but he needs a decisive victory over Sanders if he’s to convince people that his campaign has a chance of eclipsing the leftwing senator and making a strong push for the nomination.
Donald Trump will also be out campaigning in South Carolina. There’s no Republican primary, but nevertheless he’s attending a rally at 7pm EST in North Charleston. Amy Klobuchar, meanwhile, is visiting Virginia and Tennessee with an eye on Super Tuesday.Donald Trump will also be out campaigning in South Carolina. There’s no Republican primary, but nevertheless he’s attending a rally at 7pm EST in North Charleston. Amy Klobuchar, meanwhile, is visiting Virginia and Tennessee with an eye on Super Tuesday.
We can expect a lot of focus on the coronavirus. Much of Trump’s upbeat messaging about the outbreak was designed to keep the markets steady. That approach seems to have failed as Wall Street and markets around the world tanked yesterday on fears about the virus. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have confirmed that two people in the US have the coronavirus from person-to-person transmission, rather than exposure to the disease overseas.We can expect a lot of focus on the coronavirus. Much of Trump’s upbeat messaging about the outbreak was designed to keep the markets steady. That approach seems to have failed as Wall Street and markets around the world tanked yesterday on fears about the virus. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have confirmed that two people in the US have the coronavirus from person-to-person transmission, rather than exposure to the disease overseas.
There’s a host of big names appearing at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Fort Washington, Maryland, just outside of Washington DC. Acting White House chief of staff Mick Mulvaney, EPA administrator Andrew Wheeler, Donald Trump Jr, Candace Owens, Jared Kushner, Ivanka Trump and the so-called “Anti-Greta” Naomi Seibt are all appearing today. There are sessions on what the map of Israel should look like, how to fight the left’s “voter fraud machine”, “how the left justifies acts of violence” and the culture war. It should be a lively day. You can see the full line-up here.There’s a host of big names appearing at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Fort Washington, Maryland, just outside of Washington DC. Acting White House chief of staff Mick Mulvaney, EPA administrator Andrew Wheeler, Donald Trump Jr, Candace Owens, Jared Kushner, Ivanka Trump and the so-called “Anti-Greta” Naomi Seibt are all appearing today. There are sessions on what the map of Israel should look like, how to fight the left’s “voter fraud machine”, “how the left justifies acts of violence” and the culture war. It should be a lively day. You can see the full line-up here.
And another big draw is that secretary of state Mike Pompeo will be appearing before the House committee on foreign affairs to be grilled on US policy on Iran and Iraq. You’ll be able to watch the session here.And another big draw is that secretary of state Mike Pompeo will be appearing before the House committee on foreign affairs to be grilled on US policy on Iran and Iraq. You’ll be able to watch the session here.