Biden hoped that South Carolina’s vote would assist assuage issues about Democratic enthusiasm and, extra particularly, his standing with Black voters. And, to a big diploma, he obtained what he wished. Biden regarded poised to swamp the competitors with roughly 95 p.c or extra of the vote.
“Folks underestimated the energy of various and Black voters. Black persons are tuned into this election,” stated Bakari Sellers, a former South Carolina state consultant.
Shortly after the race was known as, Biden phoned Rep. Jim Clyburn (D-S.C.) who was chatting with supporters on the South Carolina Democratic Occasion’s victory night time occasion. Biden, who Clyburn placed on speakerphone together with the microphone he was holding, expressed his thanks and requested about turnout.
The specifics of what he stated had been troublesome for the viewers to listen to. The Biden marketing campaign subsequently launched a press release. “In 2020, it was the voters of South Carolina who proved the pundits improper, breathed new life into our marketing campaign, and set us on the trail to successful the Presidency,” it learn. “Now in 2024, the folks of South Carolina have spoken once more and I’ve little question that you’ve set us on the trail to successful the Presidency once more — and making Donald Trump a loser — once more.”
Though Biden’s victory was anticipated, the president’s marketing campaign nonetheless sunk vital sources into the state, dispatching Vice President Kamala Harris 4 occasions to South Carolina within the final 5 weeks. The marketing campaign additionally spent greater than $400,000 on ads, hoping to amp up turnout.
In the long run, although, the campaigns appeared to acknowledge that the result was preordained. Biden was in Southern California, not South Carolina, on major night time. Phillips, who spent all of $585 on digital adverts within the state, was touring from New York to Washington, D.C., on major night time, based on a marketing campaign spokesperson.
Democrats, backed by Biden, reshuffled the presidential nominating calendar final yr, elevating South Carolina to its first-in-the-nation standing for the primary time and centering Black voters earlier within the major course of. Nonetheless, New Hampshire
held its personal unsanctioned Democratic major final month, when a write-in marketing campaign for Biden received over Phillips and Williamson by a large margin.
Roughly 150 South Carolina Democrats mingled collectively on the state fairgrounds right here, watching as MSNBC shortly known as the election for Biden. They cheered as DNC Chair Jaime Harrison and Clyburn addressed the group. Clyburn known as for the Democratic Nationwide Committee to “to not maintain the state legislation in New Hampshire towards our Democrats,” and seat New Hampshire’s delegates, regardless of their unsanctioned contest.
The group of celebration devoted made their strategy to the open bar the place a number of Corona, Modelo Especial, Kirkland chardonnay and candy tea was provided to these trying to have a good time. Potluck-style choices of barbecue wings and macaroni salad from Columbia-based Ray’s Diner greeted attendees. Whereas proud of the outcomes, those that turned out to the Democrats’ celebration celebration additionally gave the impression to be relieved that the stress of conducting the competition was lastly behind them.
The occasion lacked any actual suspense. People had been headed for the door at 7:45 p.m., lower than an hour after polls closed. And by 8:45 p.m., the room that was as soon as bustling had thinned considerably.
