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Amy Klobuchar to drop out of Democratic race and endorse Biden – live Amy Klobuchar to drop out of Democratic race and endorse Biden – live
(31 minutes later)
Minnesota senator flying to Dallas to join Biden at rally on Monday night after ending presidential campaign – follow all the latestMinnesota senator flying to Dallas to join Biden at rally on Monday night after ending presidential campaign – follow all the latest
Pete Buttigieg may be joining Amy Klobuchar at Joe Biden’s Dallas rally tonight, if charter plane schedules are any indication.
Buttigieg and Klobuchar repeatedly sparred on the debate stage, but the pair now appear ready to come together to promote Biden as he tries to consolidate the support of moderate voters.
Mike Bloomberg said he spoke to Pete Buttigieg and Amy Klobuchar after they dropped out, and the former New York mayor oddly noted that his former opponents had “behaved themselves.”
Even though Bloomberg said he entered the race to stop Bernie Sanders from getting the nomination, he showed no sign of dropping out to help Joe Biden further consolidate the moderate vote.
“I felt sorry for them, but I’m in it to win it,” Bloomberg said.
It’s a good day to be Joe Biden. The former vice president is picking up endorsements from a number of prominent Democrats today -- including former Senate majority leader Harry Reid.
“President Donald Trump has done unspeakable damage to our country, our institutions and the rule of law. Democrats need a candidate who can assemble the largest, most diverse coalition possible to defeat Trump and lead our country following the trauma of Trump’s presidency,” Reid said in a statement. “That candidate is Joe Biden.”
Reid participated in the Nevada caucuses last month, but the former Senate leader said he voted “uncommitted” for all three of his preferences in order to avoid putting his thumb on the scale for any candidate.
However, Reid’s endorsement of Biden is unsurprising considering the narrowing field. The pair worked together in the Senate for decades, and Reid has expressed doubts about Bernie Sanders’ signature campaign promise, Medicare for all.
The exits of Amy Klobuchar and Pete Buttigieg are undeniably good news for Joe Biden, who is trying to consolidate the support of moderate voters in the Democratic primary.The exits of Amy Klobuchar and Pete Buttigieg are undeniably good news for Joe Biden, who is trying to consolidate the support of moderate voters in the Democratic primary.
But there are a few important caveats to keep in mind about Biden benefitting from Klobuchar and Buttigieg withdrawing.But there are a few important caveats to keep in mind about Biden benefitting from Klobuchar and Buttigieg withdrawing.
First, the polling is unclear about whether Biden is actually the top second choice for Klobuchar and Buttigieg supporters. Some polls indicate Bernie Sanders is popular among Buttigieg voters, for example, and the candidates’ endorsements of Biden may not sway many of their supporters.First, the polling is unclear about whether Biden is actually the top second choice for Klobuchar and Buttigieg supporters. Some polls indicate Bernie Sanders is popular among Buttigieg voters, for example, and the candidates’ endorsements of Biden may not sway many of their supporters.
Another thing to keep in mind is that Mike Bloomberg will be on the ballot tomorrow and could pick off some of the moderate voters who would otherwise be inclined to support Biden.Another thing to keep in mind is that Mike Bloomberg will be on the ballot tomorrow and could pick off some of the moderate voters who would otherwise be inclined to support Biden.
Finally, Elizabeth Warren remains in the race, and the Massachusetts senator’s campaign has expressed confidence that she will benefit from a narrowed race.Finally, Elizabeth Warren remains in the race, and the Massachusetts senator’s campaign has expressed confidence that she will benefit from a narrowed race.
All of those elements will be put to the test tomorrow, when 14 states head to the polls for Super Tuesday.All of those elements will be put to the test tomorrow, when 14 states head to the polls for Super Tuesday.
Amy Klobuchar and Pete Buttigieg are really competing with each other right until the bitter end of their campaigns.Amy Klobuchar and Pete Buttigieg are really competing with each other right until the bitter end of their campaigns.
Moments after news broke that Klobuchar would withdraw from the race and endorse Joe Biden, Buttigieg’s campaign said he would also be endorsing the former vice president.Moments after news broke that Klobuchar would withdraw from the race and endorse Joe Biden, Buttigieg’s campaign said he would also be endorsing the former vice president.
Buttigieg reportedly spoke to Biden and former preisdent Barack Obama last night, after announcing he would suspend his campaign.Buttigieg reportedly spoke to Biden and former preisdent Barack Obama last night, after announcing he would suspend his campaign.
The former Indiana mayor had been leaning toward endorsing Biden, and the announcement will provide Biden with another boost heading into tomorrow’s crucial Super Tuesday contests.The former Indiana mayor had been leaning toward endorsing Biden, and the announcement will provide Biden with another boost heading into tomorrow’s crucial Super Tuesday contests.
The timing of Amy Klobuchar’s withdrawal also appears designed to get one last jab in at Pete Buttigieg, who dropped out last night.The timing of Amy Klobuchar’s withdrawal also appears designed to get one last jab in at Pete Buttigieg, who dropped out last night.
Klobuchar and Buttigieg presented similar arguments for why they were the best candidate to represent Democrats, claiming their Midwestern backgrounds were best suited to defeating Trump.Klobuchar and Buttigieg presented similar arguments for why they were the best candidate to represent Democrats, claiming their Midwestern backgrounds were best suited to defeating Trump.
But Klobuchar repeatedly criticized Buttigieg during Democratic debates, arguing the 38-year-old mayor was not experienced enough to become president.But Klobuchar repeatedly criticized Buttigieg during Democratic debates, arguing the 38-year-old mayor was not experienced enough to become president.
By dropping out a day after Buttigieg’s withdrawal, Klobuchar has secured her own news cycle dedicated to her exit.By dropping out a day after Buttigieg’s withdrawal, Klobuchar has secured her own news cycle dedicated to her exit.
Her expected endorsement of Joe Biden tonight also distinguishes her from Buttigieg, who is reportedly leaning toward backing Biden but has not done so yet.Her expected endorsement of Joe Biden tonight also distinguishes her from Buttigieg, who is reportedly leaning toward backing Biden but has not done so yet.
Political reporters weigh in: Amy Klobuchar’s exit increases the likelihood of a two-person race for the nomination between Bernie Sanders and Joe Biden.Political reporters weigh in: Amy Klobuchar’s exit increases the likelihood of a two-person race for the nomination between Bernie Sanders and Joe Biden.
Klobuchar’s withdrawal also increases the stakes for Elizabeth Warren going into Super Tuesday tomorrow:Klobuchar’s withdrawal also increases the stakes for Elizabeth Warren going into Super Tuesday tomorrow:
Considering Klobuchar’s strong performance in New Hampshire, her exit also raises even more questions about the value in two mostly white states voting first:Considering Klobuchar’s strong performance in New Hampshire, her exit also raises even more questions about the value in two mostly white states voting first:
Amy Klobuchar has reportedly informed her campaign staff she is dropping out of of the Democratic presidential primary.Amy Klobuchar has reportedly informed her campaign staff she is dropping out of of the Democratic presidential primary.
Klobuchar’s departure leaves five candidates in the race: Bernie Sanders, Joe Biden, Elizabeth Warren, Mike Bloomberg and Tulsi Gabbard.Klobuchar’s departure leaves five candidates in the race: Bernie Sanders, Joe Biden, Elizabeth Warren, Mike Bloomberg and Tulsi Gabbard.
Combined with Pete Buttigieg’s exit last night, the moderate candidates appear to be looking to consolidate support around Biden before tomorrow’s crucial Super Tuesday contests.Combined with Pete Buttigieg’s exit last night, the moderate candidates appear to be looking to consolidate support around Biden before tomorrow’s crucial Super Tuesday contests.
Amy Klobuchar has reportedly decided to suspend her presidential campaign and endorse Joe Biden.Amy Klobuchar has reportedly decided to suspend her presidential campaign and endorse Joe Biden.
The Minnesota senator exceeded expectations in New Hampshire, where she finished in third place, but her sixth-place performances in Nevada and South Carolina raised serious questions about her path to the nomination.The Minnesota senator exceeded expectations in New Hampshire, where she finished in third place, but her sixth-place performances in Nevada and South Carolina raised serious questions about her path to the nomination.
A new post-South Carolina poll shows Joe Biden pulling nearly even with Bernie Sanders.A new post-South Carolina poll shows Joe Biden pulling nearly even with Bernie Sanders.
According to the Morning Consult poll, Biden has climbed up to 26%, while Sanders has dropped slightly to 29%. Those numbers represent a 7-point bump for Biden and a 3-point slump for Sanders.According to the Morning Consult poll, Biden has climbed up to 26%, while Sanders has dropped slightly to 29%. Those numbers represent a 7-point bump for Biden and a 3-point slump for Sanders.
Mike Bloomberg is holding steady in third place at 17%, but the poll is already slightly out-of-date because it includes Pete Buttigieg, who dropped out last night.Mike Bloomberg is holding steady in third place at 17%, but the poll is already slightly out-of-date because it includes Pete Buttigieg, who dropped out last night.
The poll indicates Biden may be getting a national bump from his landslide victory in South Carolina, but the true test of his support will come tomorrow on Super Tuesday.The poll indicates Biden may be getting a national bump from his landslide victory in South Carolina, but the true test of his support will come tomorrow on Super Tuesday.
Here’s where the day stands as of now:Here’s where the day stands as of now:
The Supreme Court said it would take up a case challenging Obamacare in its next term, which begins in October, so a decision is not expected until after the presidential election.The Supreme Court said it would take up a case challenging Obamacare in its next term, which begins in October, so a decision is not expected until after the presidential election.
Pete Buttigieg is reportedly leaning toward endorsing Joe Biden after the former Indiana mayor dropped out of the presidential primary last night.Pete Buttigieg is reportedly leaning toward endorsing Joe Biden after the former Indiana mayor dropped out of the presidential primary last night.
Senate Republicans want to continue an investigation into the business activities of Joe Biden’s son, Hunter, as the former vice president sees his primary prospects brighten after a landslide victory in South Carolina.Senate Republicans want to continue an investigation into the business activities of Joe Biden’s son, Hunter, as the former vice president sees his primary prospects brighten after a landslide victory in South Carolina.
The blog will have more coming up, so stay tuned.The blog will have more coming up, so stay tuned.
Mike Bloomberg used his speech to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee to bash Bernie Sanders, who has refused to attend AIPAC’s annual gathering.Mike Bloomberg used his speech to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee to bash Bernie Sanders, who has refused to attend AIPAC’s annual gathering.
“Unfortunately, not all of my fellow Democrats in this race have attended an AIPAC conference,” Bloomberg said. “One of them, Senator Sanders, has spent 30 years boycotting this event. And as you’ve heard by now, he called AIPAC a racist platform. Well let me tell you, he’s dead wrong.”“Unfortunately, not all of my fellow Democrats in this race have attended an AIPAC conference,” Bloomberg said. “One of them, Senator Sanders, has spent 30 years boycotting this event. And as you’ve heard by now, he called AIPAC a racist platform. Well let me tell you, he’s dead wrong.”
Bloomberg touched on his own experiences as a Jewish American to warn about the dangers of anti-Semitism.Bloomberg touched on his own experiences as a Jewish American to warn about the dangers of anti-Semitism.
“Anti-Semitism is hardly the exclusive domain of any one group. It can be found on both the right and the left, on town squares and campus quads,” Bloomberg said.“Anti-Semitism is hardly the exclusive domain of any one group. It can be found on both the right and the left, on town squares and campus quads,” Bloomberg said.
The former New York mayor then offered implicit criticism of Trump without mentioning the president’s name. “But there is one fact that we cannot ignore: Presidential leadership matters,” Bloomberg said. “It sets a tone. It is either inclusive or exclusive, divisive or uniting, incendiary or calming.”The former New York mayor then offered implicit criticism of Trump without mentioning the president’s name. “But there is one fact that we cannot ignore: Presidential leadership matters,” Bloomberg said. “It sets a tone. It is either inclusive or exclusive, divisive or uniting, incendiary or calming.”
Bloomberg is the only Democratic presidential candidate attending AIPAC. Sanders and Elizabeth Warren have said they won’t participate, and Joe Biden and Amy Klobuchar appeared by video.Bloomberg is the only Democratic presidential candidate attending AIPAC. Sanders and Elizabeth Warren have said they won’t participate, and Joe Biden and Amy Klobuchar appeared by video.
Texas congresswoman Veronica Escobar has endorsed Joe Biden, the latest in a stream of lawmakers from Super Tuesday states to announce support for the former vice president.Texas congresswoman Veronica Escobar has endorsed Joe Biden, the latest in a stream of lawmakers from Super Tuesday states to announce support for the former vice president.
Those endorsements could help Biden turn out voters in crucial states tomorrow, and they could be key to a victory if the nominating contest extends to the convention, as a Texas Tribune reporter noted:Those endorsements could help Biden turn out voters in crucial states tomorrow, and they could be key to a victory if the nominating contest extends to the convention, as a Texas Tribune reporter noted:
The progressive group Democracy for America has endorsed Bernie Sanders’ White House bid after holding a vote among its members.The progressive group Democracy for America has endorsed Bernie Sanders’ White House bid after holding a vote among its members.
Sanders won nearly 80% of the DFA membership vote, compared to 13% for second-place Elizabeth Warren. No other candidate received more than 3%.Sanders won nearly 80% of the DFA membership vote, compared to 13% for second-place Elizabeth Warren. No other candidate received more than 3%.
The endorsement is a bit of a slap in the face for Warren, considering the group encouraged her to launch a presidential campaign in 2016.The endorsement is a bit of a slap in the face for Warren, considering the group encouraged her to launch a presidential campaign in 2016.
“Bernie Sanders has built a powerful multi-racial, multi-generational movement and we’re excited to join the campaign at this critical moment in the Democratic race,” DFA chair Charles Chamberlain said in a statement.“Bernie Sanders has built a powerful multi-racial, multi-generational movement and we’re excited to join the campaign at this critical moment in the Democratic race,” DFA chair Charles Chamberlain said in a statement.
“The overwhelming support for Bernie we saw in our member vote should be a wake-up call to the broken, visionless, corporate Democratic establishment.”“The overwhelming support for Bernie we saw in our member vote should be a wake-up call to the broken, visionless, corporate Democratic establishment.”
Senate Republicans appear to be resuming efforts to investigate Joe Biden and his family, as the former vice president’s primary prospects rise after his South Carolina victory.Senate Republicans appear to be resuming efforts to investigate Joe Biden and his family, as the former vice president’s primary prospects rise after his South Carolina victory.
Trump’s impeachment focused on whether the president and his allies pressured Ukraine to announce an investigation into Biden and his son, Hunter.Trump’s impeachment focused on whether the president and his allies pressured Ukraine to announce an investigation into Biden and his son, Hunter.
The issue appeared to be abandoned in recent weeks, as Bernie Sanders simultaneously became the frontrunner for the Democratic nomination.The issue appeared to be abandoned in recent weeks, as Bernie Sanders simultaneously became the frontrunner for the Democratic nomination.
But Trump’s Senate allies now seem to be resurrecting the issue as moderate Democrats look to consolidate support around Biden.But Trump’s Senate allies now seem to be resurrecting the issue as moderate Democrats look to consolidate support around Biden.