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Democratic Primaries Live Updates: Biden Wins Michigan, Mississippi and Missouri Democratic Primaries Live Updates: Biden Wins Michigan, Mississippi and Missouri
(32 minutes later)
Former Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr. prevailed over Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont to win the Democratic presidential primaries in Michigan, Missouri and Mississippi.Former Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr. prevailed over Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont to win the Democratic presidential primaries in Michigan, Missouri and Mississippi.
Michigan, which awards 125 delegates, is the biggest prize of the night. Mr. Biden’s victory there deals a further blow to Mr. Sanders’s hopes of catching him in the delegate race.Michigan, which awards 125 delegates, is the biggest prize of the night. Mr. Biden’s victory there deals a further blow to Mr. Sanders’s hopes of catching him in the delegate race.
Polls remain open in Idaho, North Dakota and Washington State. Results are expected soon in Idaho and North Dakota. Polls remain open in Washington State.
Both Mr. Biden and Mr. Sanders canceled planned primary-night rallies in Cleveland amid coronavirus fears. Mr. Biden plans to address reporters in Philadelphia at 9:30 p.m. Mr. Sanders will spend the evening in Burlington, Vt. Both Mr. Biden and Mr. Sanders canceled planned primary-night rallies in Cleveland amid coronavirus fears. Mr. Biden plans to address reporters shortly in Philadelphia. Mr. Sanders, who is spending the evening in Burlington, Vt., will not speak tonight.
Mr. Biden won Michigan, grabbing a victory in a delegate-rich state that will be critical to Democratic fortunes in the general election.Mr. Biden won Michigan, grabbing a victory in a delegate-rich state that will be critical to Democratic fortunes in the general election.
The win is likely to add to the sense of inevitability surrounding Mr. Biden’s candidacy after his Super Tuesday victories, potentially fueling his ability to effectively wrap up the nomination at a time when Democratic voters are eager to turn their focus to President Trump.The win is likely to add to the sense of inevitability surrounding Mr. Biden’s candidacy after his Super Tuesday victories, potentially fueling his ability to effectively wrap up the nomination at a time when Democratic voters are eager to turn their focus to President Trump.
Michigan looms large in Democratic psyches, a fairly reliably blue state that flipped to Mr. Trump in 2016, helping cost the party the election.Michigan looms large in Democratic psyches, a fairly reliably blue state that flipped to Mr. Trump in 2016, helping cost the party the election.
The loss is particularly striking for Mr. Sanders. A surprise upset in Michigan four years ago helped extend his insurgent campaign against Hillary Clinton. He spent much of the past few days in the state trying to re-energize his coalition of college-educated liberals and rural white voters, while denting enthusiasm for Mr. Biden among black voters, who make up a significant portion of the Democratic electorate.The loss is particularly striking for Mr. Sanders. A surprise upset in Michigan four years ago helped extend his insurgent campaign against Hillary Clinton. He spent much of the past few days in the state trying to re-energize his coalition of college-educated liberals and rural white voters, while denting enthusiasm for Mr. Biden among black voters, who make up a significant portion of the Democratic electorate.
Mr. Biden won Mississippi and Missouri, picking up two quick victories nearly immediately after the first round of polls closed.Mr. Biden won Mississippi and Missouri, picking up two quick victories nearly immediately after the first round of polls closed.
In both states, Mr. Biden was helped by his strong support among black voters, a crucial Democratic voting bloc. Mississippi is the most heavily African-American state in the country. In Missouri, nearly one-fifth of the state’s Democratic electorate is black.In both states, Mr. Biden was helped by his strong support among black voters, a crucial Democratic voting bloc. Mississippi is the most heavily African-American state in the country. In Missouri, nearly one-fifth of the state’s Democratic electorate is black.
Preliminary exit polls from Mississippi showed that black voters supported Mr. Biden in staggering numbers: 86 percent of them backed him, compared with 11 percent for Mr. Sanders. Among black voters over the age of 60, the numbers were even more stark: 96 percent supported Mr. Biden, compared with just 3 percent for Mr. Sanders.Preliminary exit polls from Mississippi showed that black voters supported Mr. Biden in staggering numbers: 86 percent of them backed him, compared with 11 percent for Mr. Sanders. Among black voters over the age of 60, the numbers were even more stark: 96 percent supported Mr. Biden, compared with just 3 percent for Mr. Sanders.
This suggests that, despite a concerted effort, Mr. Sanders did not improve from his showing against Mrs. Clinton in 2016, when he won 11 percent of black voters in Mississippi and Mrs. Clinton won 89 percent.This suggests that, despite a concerted effort, Mr. Sanders did not improve from his showing against Mrs. Clinton in 2016, when he won 11 percent of black voters in Mississippi and Mrs. Clinton won 89 percent.
Four years ago in Missouri, Mrs. Clinton’s victory over Mr. Sanders was narrow. But in Mississippi, she defeated him with more than 80 percent of the vote, taking all but five of the state’s 36 delegates.Four years ago in Missouri, Mrs. Clinton’s victory over Mr. Sanders was narrow. But in Mississippi, she defeated him with more than 80 percent of the vote, taking all but five of the state’s 36 delegates.
The question this year was never whether Mr. Biden would prevail over Mr. Sanders in Mississippi, but about the size of his victory. The more delegates Mr. Biden wins there tonight, the harder he will make it for Mr. Sanders to mount a comeback on more favorable terrain.The question this year was never whether Mr. Biden would prevail over Mr. Sanders in Mississippi, but about the size of his victory. The more delegates Mr. Biden wins there tonight, the harder he will make it for Mr. Sanders to mount a comeback on more favorable terrain.
Four years ago, Missouri was a squeaker. This year, it was called moments after the polls closed. And one of the biggest differences appears to have been among white voters, who sided with Mr. Sanders in 2016 but backed Mr. Biden in 2020.Four years ago, Missouri was a squeaker. This year, it was called moments after the polls closed. And one of the biggest differences appears to have been among white voters, who sided with Mr. Sanders in 2016 but backed Mr. Biden in 2020.
Exit polls showed that Mr. Sanders carried 54 percent of white voters in 2016 while Mr. Biden carried 53 percent in 2020. Mr. Biden won a similar share of black voters as Mrs. Clinton did four years ago (69 percent compared to 67 percent).Exit polls showed that Mr. Sanders carried 54 percent of white voters in 2016 while Mr. Biden carried 53 percent in 2020. Mr. Biden won a similar share of black voters as Mrs. Clinton did four years ago (69 percent compared to 67 percent).
One of the bigger swings came among white college graduates, whom Mr. Sanders carried with 57 percent support versus 43 percent for Mrs. Clinton in 2016.One of the bigger swings came among white college graduates, whom Mr. Sanders carried with 57 percent support versus 43 percent for Mrs. Clinton in 2016.
This year, it was an inversion: Mr. Biden carried white college gradates with 56 percent support, while Mr. Sanders had only 37 percent.This year, it was an inversion: Mr. Biden carried white college gradates with 56 percent support, while Mr. Sanders had only 37 percent.
The Biden coalition is coming into sharper focus after the second consecutive week of winning in a range of states and regions, from the South to the Midwest to the Northeast.
His bedrock support has come from black voters, whom he won overwhelmingly on Tuesday (including a remarkable 87 percent in Mississippi), according to exit polls. But in state after state, that was just the beginning.
Mr. Biden was carrying both moderate and “somewhat liberal” voters by significant margins. He was winning over women, especially college-educated white women. And he was crushing Mr. Sanders among older voters. And in a consequential shift, Mr. Biden was winning white voters without college degrees, who rejected Mrs. Clinton in 2016, not only in the primary but later in the general election.
Mr. Sanders has some demographic pockets of support. He continues to carry voters under 30 by wide margins, even in states he is losing. He was often leading among all voters under 45 years old.
But older voters were simply turning out in greater numbers.
In Missouri, voters under 45 years old were 41 percent of the electorate in 2016; those same voters accounted for only 30 percent of the electorate in 2020. The biggest jump, in terms of share of the electorate, came among Mr. Biden’s strongest group: those 65 or older, who were 35 percent of the electorate, up from only 22 percent four years ago.
While one of Mr. Sanders’s big arguments has been that his supporters are uniquely enthusiastic about his candidacy, preliminary exit polls of the states voting on Tuesday indicate that Mr. Biden’s supporters are equally or even more enthusiastic.While one of Mr. Sanders’s big arguments has been that his supporters are uniquely enthusiastic about his candidacy, preliminary exit polls of the states voting on Tuesday indicate that Mr. Biden’s supporters are equally or even more enthusiastic.
In preliminary exit polls from Washington, the same percentage of Democratic voters (35 percent) said they would be “enthusiastic” if Mr. Biden won the nomination as if Mr. Sanders won. And polls from Missouri found that significantly more people would be enthusiastic if Mr. Biden won: 45 percent, compared with 31 percent for Mr. Sanders.In preliminary exit polls from Washington, the same percentage of Democratic voters (35 percent) said they would be “enthusiastic” if Mr. Biden won the nomination as if Mr. Sanders won. And polls from Missouri found that significantly more people would be enthusiastic if Mr. Biden won: 45 percent, compared with 31 percent for Mr. Sanders.
Conversely, about twice as many people said they would be “upset” if Mr. Sanders won (16 percent in each state) as those who said the same about Mr. Biden (8 percent in Missouri and 9 percent in Washington).Conversely, about twice as many people said they would be “upset” if Mr. Sanders won (16 percent in each state) as those who said the same about Mr. Biden (8 percent in Missouri and 9 percent in Washington).
Voters in both states indicated that they trusted Mr. Biden to handle a crisis better than Mr. Sanders: 61 percent to 27 percent in Missouri, and 46 percent to 27 percent in Washington. That is an argument Mr. Biden’s campaign has been leaning hard on, especially as the coronavirus crisis escalates.Voters in both states indicated that they trusted Mr. Biden to handle a crisis better than Mr. Sanders: 61 percent to 27 percent in Missouri, and 46 percent to 27 percent in Washington. That is an argument Mr. Biden’s campaign has been leaning hard on, especially as the coronavirus crisis escalates.
The preliminary polls in Washington, Missouri and Mississippi also found that a majority of voters were more concerned with nominating a candidate who they believed could beat President Trump than one who agreed with them on major issues.The preliminary polls in Washington, Missouri and Mississippi also found that a majority of voters were more concerned with nominating a candidate who they believed could beat President Trump than one who agreed with them on major issues.
The exit polls in Michigan are unreliable because they did not include absentee voters.The exit polls in Michigan are unreliable because they did not include absentee voters.
As has become a pattern, there is a huge generational gap in the results so far: Older voters are overwhelmingly supporting Mr. Biden, younger voters are overwhelmingly supporting Mr. Sanders and there just aren’t enough young people voting to give Mr. Sanders a chance.As has become a pattern, there is a huge generational gap in the results so far: Older voters are overwhelmingly supporting Mr. Biden, younger voters are overwhelmingly supporting Mr. Sanders and there just aren’t enough young people voting to give Mr. Sanders a chance.
In Missouri, for instance, preliminary exit polls show that voters younger than 45 supported Mr. Sanders by a margin of 47 percentage points. By contrast, voters 45 and older went for Mr. Biden by 43 percentage points. But the younger group made up only 30 percent of the electorate, while the older group accounted for 70 percent.In Missouri, for instance, preliminary exit polls show that voters younger than 45 supported Mr. Sanders by a margin of 47 percentage points. By contrast, voters 45 and older went for Mr. Biden by 43 percentage points. But the younger group made up only 30 percent of the electorate, while the older group accounted for 70 percent.
The breakdown was similar in Washington (a 35-point margin for Mr. Sanders among the younger group, which made up only 29 percent of voters, and a 27-point margin for Mr. Biden among the older group, which accounted for 71 percent) and in Michigan (a 41-point margin for Mr. Sanders in the younger group, and 38 points for Mr. Biden in the older group).The breakdown was similar in Washington (a 35-point margin for Mr. Sanders among the younger group, which made up only 29 percent of voters, and a 27-point margin for Mr. Biden among the older group, which accounted for 71 percent) and in Michigan (a 41-point margin for Mr. Sanders in the younger group, and 38 points for Mr. Biden in the older group).
There are some exceptions: In Mississippi, for instance, Mr. Biden’s victory was so sweeping that he won both age groups by comfortable margins. But the age gap has held pretty broadly across the states that have voted so far, and it speaks to one of the fundamental challenges of Mr. Sanders’s campaign.There are some exceptions: In Mississippi, for instance, Mr. Biden’s victory was so sweeping that he won both age groups by comfortable margins. But the age gap has held pretty broadly across the states that have voted so far, and it speaks to one of the fundamental challenges of Mr. Sanders’s campaign.
Mr. Sanders has always relied on the enthusiasm of young voters for his candidacy, and his general-election argument depends explicitly on his ability to turn those voters out. And so far, they just haven’t done so in anywhere near the numbers he needed them to.Mr. Sanders has always relied on the enthusiasm of young voters for his candidacy, and his general-election argument depends explicitly on his ability to turn those voters out. And so far, they just haven’t done so in anywhere near the numbers he needed them to.
The entrepreneur Andrew Yang, who exited the Democratic primary race last month and has since become a CNN analyst, endorsed Mr. Biden on the network Tuesday night as the former vice president racked up a series of wins and widened his lead in the race.
Mr. Yang, who backed Mr. Sanders in 2016, said he was supporting Mr. Biden this cycle, noting that he had built a substantial delegate lead.
“I believe he’s the right man for the job to help us not just defeat Donald Trump but govern the country in the years ahead,” Mr. Yang said.
He added that he had recently spoken with Mr. Biden, and that although he had “admiration and respect” for Mr. Sanders, the time had come for unity.
“At this point can you see very clearly that Biden is building a lead that is going to grow in the days ahead,” he said. “We need to come together as a party starting tonight.”
Mr. Yang had previously said that if a candidate endorsed universal basic income — his signature policy proposal — he would take that into strong consideration when deciding who to endorse. Mr. Biden never got behind that idea, but Mr. Yang backed him Tuesday nonetheless.
He became the 11th former 2020 candidate to endorse Mr. Biden.
Mr. Sanders is arriving home in Vermont Tuesday night much earlier than he’d planned.Mr. Sanders is arriving home in Vermont Tuesday night much earlier than he’d planned.
After canceling a rally in Cleveland because of concerns about the coronavirus, the Sanders campaign has provided no information about whether or when Mr. Sanders might speak about the results. After canceling a rally in Cleveland because of concerns about the coronavirus, the Sanders campaign announced late Tuesday that he would not speak about the primary-night results.
It’s not clear what Mr. Sanders will be doing as the results roll in, or when he will next appear in public. It’s not clear when Mr. Sanders will next appear in public. He is scheduled to appear on Jimmy Fallon’s late-night talk show Wednesday, but his campaign has announced no other stops.
He is scheduled to appear on Jimmy Fallon’s late-night talk show Wednesday, but his campaign has announced no other campaign stops.
In the first major cancellations of the presidential campaign because of concerns about the coronavirus, Mr. Sanders and Mr. Biden both called off primary night campaign events Tuesday as they awaited the results of voting in six states.In the first major cancellations of the presidential campaign because of concerns about the coronavirus, Mr. Sanders and Mr. Biden both called off primary night campaign events Tuesday as they awaited the results of voting in six states.
“Out of concern for public health and safety, we are canceling tonight’s rally in Cleveland,” said Mike Casca, a Sanders campaign spokesman. “We are heeding the public warnings from Ohio state officials, who have communicated concern about holding large, indoor events during the coronavirus outbreak. Senator Sanders would like to express his regret to the thousands of Ohioans who had planned to attend the event tonight.”“Out of concern for public health and safety, we are canceling tonight’s rally in Cleveland,” said Mike Casca, a Sanders campaign spokesman. “We are heeding the public warnings from Ohio state officials, who have communicated concern about holding large, indoor events during the coronavirus outbreak. Senator Sanders would like to express his regret to the thousands of Ohioans who had planned to attend the event tonight.”
Mr. Casca added: “All future Bernie 2020 events will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.”Mr. Casca added: “All future Bernie 2020 events will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.”
The Biden campaign announced on Tuesday afternoon that it would be canceling its evening event in Cleveland. “In accordance with guidance from public officials and out of an abundance of caution, our rally in Cleveland, Ohio tonight is cancelled,” Mr. Biden’s deputy campaign manager, Kate Bedingfield, said on Twitter.The Biden campaign announced on Tuesday afternoon that it would be canceling its evening event in Cleveland. “In accordance with guidance from public officials and out of an abundance of caution, our rally in Cleveland, Ohio tonight is cancelled,” Mr. Biden’s deputy campaign manager, Kate Bedingfield, said on Twitter.
No live audience. No spin room. Virtually no traveling members of the press.No live audience. No spin room. Virtually no traveling members of the press.
This is a presidential primary debate in the age of coronavirus.This is a presidential primary debate in the age of coronavirus.
CNN and Democratic officials announced on Tuesday that “at the request of the campaigns and out of an abundance of caution,” Sunday’s highly anticipated Democratic debate in Phoenix would be a significantly pared-down affair.CNN and Democratic officials announced on Tuesday that “at the request of the campaigns and out of an abundance of caution,” Sunday’s highly anticipated Democratic debate in Phoenix would be a significantly pared-down affair.
The live audience — whose jeers and cheers can be a major variable for the candidates onstage — will be missing. Instead, Mr. Biden and Mr. Sanders will debate each other one-on-one for the first time inside a virtually empty theater, joined only by a handful of moderators and television crew members.The live audience — whose jeers and cheers can be a major variable for the candidates onstage — will be missing. Instead, Mr. Biden and Mr. Sanders will debate each other one-on-one for the first time inside a virtually empty theater, joined only by a handful of moderators and television crew members.
The spin room, where campaign aides scramble to declare their candidates a winner in front of packs of deadline-addled reporters, is off the table, too. As is the media filing center, the often-cavernous space where hundreds of political reporters gather to watch the same television broadcast seen by viewers at home.The spin room, where campaign aides scramble to declare their candidates a winner in front of packs of deadline-addled reporters, is off the table, too. As is the media filing center, the often-cavernous space where hundreds of political reporters gather to watch the same television broadcast seen by viewers at home.
The Democratic National Committee, which oversees the debates, said on Tuesday that health officials in Arizona had advised that the event “could proceed as planned.” But the party said it wanted to take additional measures to ensure “the safety of our staff, campaigns, Arizonans and all those involved in the debate,” a party spokeswoman, Xochitl Hinojosa, said in a statement.The Democratic National Committee, which oversees the debates, said on Tuesday that health officials in Arizona had advised that the event “could proceed as planned.” But the party said it wanted to take additional measures to ensure “the safety of our staff, campaigns, Arizonans and all those involved in the debate,” a party spokeswoman, Xochitl Hinojosa, said in a statement.
While there was little hard proof that the coronavirus had affected turnout in Tuesday’s primaries, officials in two states blamed it for keeping people away from polls.While there was little hard proof that the coronavirus had affected turnout in Tuesday’s primaries, officials in two states blamed it for keeping people away from polls.
In Mississippi, which was holding party nomination votes in several key congressional races in addition to its presidential primaries, the chairman of the state Democratic Party cited the virus as one reason turnout was lower than he had hoped.In Mississippi, which was holding party nomination votes in several key congressional races in addition to its presidential primaries, the chairman of the state Democratic Party cited the virus as one reason turnout was lower than he had hoped.
“It seems to be somewhat light or moderate,” said Bobby Moak, the Democratic chairman in Mississippi. Mr. Moak cited rain in the southern part of the state as a factor as well as vacation season — it was spring break statewide for all high schools and colleges — and fear of coronavirus transmission.“It seems to be somewhat light or moderate,” said Bobby Moak, the Democratic chairman in Mississippi. Mr. Moak cited rain in the southern part of the state as a factor as well as vacation season — it was spring break statewide for all high schools and colleges — and fear of coronavirus transmission.
“And I think some of it may be the dad-gum coronavirus is on people’s minds,” Mr. Moak said. No one in Mississippi has been diagnosed with the illness.“And I think some of it may be the dad-gum coronavirus is on people’s minds,” Mr. Moak said. No one in Mississippi has been diagnosed with the illness.
In Missouri, Tammy Brown, an elections official in Jackson County, near Kansas City, blamed coronavirus for scaring voters. “It just doesn’t seem like there’s a huge turnout,” she said.In Missouri, Tammy Brown, an elections official in Jackson County, near Kansas City, blamed coronavirus for scaring voters. “It just doesn’t seem like there’s a huge turnout,” she said.
About two dozen poll judges had called in sick, she said.About two dozen poll judges had called in sick, she said.
“I think some of them were just scared to deal with the public,” Ms. Brown said.“I think some of them were just scared to deal with the public,” Ms. Brown said.
On the morning of the Michigan primary, Mr. Biden swore at a man during a heated exchange about guns while visiting a new Fiat Chrysler Automobiles assembly plant under construction in Detroit.On the morning of the Michigan primary, Mr. Biden swore at a man during a heated exchange about guns while visiting a new Fiat Chrysler Automobiles assembly plant under construction in Detroit.
Mr. Biden was shaking hands and taking pictures with workers, many of them wearing fluorescent vests and hard hats, when one man accused him of trying to “take away our guns.”Mr. Biden was shaking hands and taking pictures with workers, many of them wearing fluorescent vests and hard hats, when one man accused him of trying to “take away our guns.”
“You’re full of shit,” Mr. Biden responded, adding, “I support the Second Amendment.”“You’re full of shit,” Mr. Biden responded, adding, “I support the Second Amendment.”
Mr. Biden noted that he was a gun owner and said, “I’m not taking your gun away at all.” Later on in the exchange, he told the man, “Don’t be such a horse’s ass.”Mr. Biden noted that he was a gun owner and said, “I’m not taking your gun away at all.” Later on in the exchange, he told the man, “Don’t be such a horse’s ass.”
Mr. Biden has occasionally sparred with voters at his events. At a campaign event in Iowa in December, he angrily lashed out at a man who raised questions about his son Hunter Biden’s business dealings in Ukraine, calling him a “damn liar.” After the man said Mr. Biden was too old to be president, Mr. Biden suggested the man do push-ups or go running with him.Mr. Biden has occasionally sparred with voters at his events. At a campaign event in Iowa in December, he angrily lashed out at a man who raised questions about his son Hunter Biden’s business dealings in Ukraine, calling him a “damn liar.” After the man said Mr. Biden was too old to be president, Mr. Biden suggested the man do push-ups or go running with him.
These kinds of exchanges could cut two ways for Mr. Biden. Some voters might see it as a troubling display of anger, undermining his efforts to cast himself as a steady, measured leader. Others have said they approve of Mr. Biden responding forcefully to attacks; they have urged him to show more vigor in campaign trail interactions ahead of a possible showdown with the president.These kinds of exchanges could cut two ways for Mr. Biden. Some voters might see it as a troubling display of anger, undermining his efforts to cast himself as a steady, measured leader. Others have said they approve of Mr. Biden responding forcefully to attacks; they have urged him to show more vigor in campaign trail interactions ahead of a possible showdown with the president.
One problem for Mr. Sanders is that these three states, where he is favored to do better generally, award fewer delegates. Washington is a must-win state for Mr. Sanders, with its well-educated liberal population where progressive ideas are popular. It has 89 delegates — a good chunk — but fewer than Michigan.One problem for Mr. Sanders is that these three states, where he is favored to do better generally, award fewer delegates. Washington is a must-win state for Mr. Sanders, with its well-educated liberal population where progressive ideas are popular. It has 89 delegates — a good chunk — but fewer than Michigan.
Mr. Sanders won North Dakota in 2016, but the state only has 14 delegates. Mr. Sanders also won Idaho in 2016 — and is expected to do well there again. But Idaho, where there are 20 delegates up for grabs, has switched from a caucus system to a primary voting system, and Mr. Sanders has tended to do better in the former.Mr. Sanders won North Dakota in 2016, but the state only has 14 delegates. Mr. Sanders also won Idaho in 2016 — and is expected to do well there again. But Idaho, where there are 20 delegates up for grabs, has switched from a caucus system to a primary voting system, and Mr. Sanders has tended to do better in the former.
Reid J. Epstein, Katie Glueck, Michael Grynbaum, Astead W. Herndon, Jonathan Martin, Jeremy W. Peters and Stephanie Saul contributed reporting. Reid J. Epstein, Katie Glueck, Michael Grynbaum, Astead W. Herndon, Jonathan Martin, Jeremy W. Peters, Stephanie Saul and Matt Stevens contributed reporting.