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* It has long appeared as though the most high-profile establishment Democrats were holding back on their support for former VP Joe Biden until after he proved he could actually compete. Besides, nobody was going to convince Pete Buttigieg or Tom Steyer to bow out before Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada and South Carolina voted.
But with those four over-hyped smallish contests behind them and with the massive Super Tuesday just around the corner and then the Illinois/Ohio/Florida primaries on March 17th, the time was simply right.
Citing the strength of his experience on foreign policy, Illinois U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth endorsed former Vice President Joe Biden on Monday morning.
The announcement is the latest in a series of endorsements that has the Democratic establishment in Illinois lining up squarely behind Biden ahead of a primary that is a little more than two weeks away.
Duckworth’s backing came just hours after former South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg, a fellow veteran, bowed out of the race. She also decided to weigh in on the race amid calls for the party’s moderates to unify around Biden in a bid to stop Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders from accumulating an insurmountable delegate lead in the presidential race.
Just a bragging bundler for now, but something to keep in mind…
A Biden bundler also tells me he's personally told @JoeBiden to consider Duckworth as a VP pick, citing her toughness, that she's from the must-win Midwest, a veteran, a high-profile advocate for women's/working mom issues.
— Natasha Korecki (@natashakorecki) March 2, 2020
* And…
Secretary of State Jesse White, the longest-serving statewide official in Illinois, has endorsed former Vice President Joe Biden ahead of the March 17 presidential primary.
White, one of the state’s most prominent African American politicians, said the decision came down to which candidate has the best chance to win in November.
“I’ve been asked by a number of candidates for their support,” White said in an interview Saturday afternoon. “I decided I was going to go with Joe Biden, because I believe that he has what it takes to be able to beat Donald Trump and put this country back on a sound footing.”
You may also have noticed that Speaker Madigan’s 13th Ward endorsed three Biden delegate candidates.
A list of all Illinois presidential endorsements is here.
…Adding… The consolidation continues…
WASHINGTON (AP) — Amy Klobuchar is ending her Democratic presidential campaign, plans to endorse Joe Biden.
— Brian Slodysko (@BrianSlodysko) March 2, 2020
posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Mar 2, 20 @ 11:32 am
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Sorry to say, but Duckworth as VP would do little to help Biden with the demographical areas he has to have with him in order to win.
Comment by MakePoliticsCoolAgain Monday, Mar 2, 20 @ 11:39 am
=== You may also have noticed that Speaker Madigan’s 13th Ward endorsed three Biden delegate candidates.===
Insider is gonna insider.
Comment by Just Me 2 Monday, Mar 2, 20 @ 11:41 am
===little to help Biden with the demographical areas===
You’re thinking of Tim Kaine. A black woman would probably be his best bet, I give you that. But he already has strong African-American support.
Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Mar 2, 20 @ 11:48 am
-But he already has strong African-American support.-
Don’t disagree but after 2016, Democrats shouldn’t take anything (or any group) for granted. Hillary had very similar SC numbers to Biden in 2016 and look how that turned out for her.
Comment by MakePoliticsCoolAgain Monday, Mar 2, 20 @ 11:56 am
Jesse White, Secretary White is the most popular elected official in Illinois. His endorsement, and the political organization he still controls, has some juice and it gives credibility to Biden as someone who can win the nomination without a brokered convention.
Sen. Duckworth is a nice endorsement, allows for a second look after Jesse White, but still isn’t a “Jesse White” measurable.
The early voting that occurred for Super Tuesday states will be stinging for Biden, with no chance to pick off Mayor Pete folks. Rich points out the real ball game; Illinois, Florida, Ohio.
Heck it’s survive and advance time now for those left. Biden is trying to show a building after Super Tuesday here, and all over. Are others?
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Mar 2, 20 @ 11:57 am
I completely understand the Dems’ urgent need to try to stop Bernie.
Comment by Responsa Monday, Mar 2, 20 @ 12:00 pm
Senator Duckworth, as much as I respect and admire her, was born in Thailand. Wouldn’t that make her ineligible to serve as President and, thus, not a good choice for VP? How would that affect the line of succession, if, hypothetically, she were to be the VP and there is subsequently a vacancy in the office of President? Would she be able, legally, to become President or would she have to be skipped in the line of succession?
Comment by Osborne Smith III Monday, Mar 2, 20 @ 12:03 pm
===… had very similar SC numbers to Biden in 2016 and look how that turned out for her.===
The real question is if Biden can…
1) keep the appeal of African-American voters now and, if he gets the nomination, thru November
2) if the Bernie Bros, and those who support Bernie outside of the rabid like fanatics, will still vote this November and vote for someone other than Bernie.
===… urgent need to try to stop Bernie.===
The exit polling in SC is the overriding issue for Bernie. Nothing else.
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Mar 2, 20 @ 12:06 pm
===was born in Thailand. Wouldn’t that make her ineligible===
She’s eligible. Her dad was an American citizen at the time of her birth.
Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Mar 2, 20 @ 12:06 pm
Has the Senior Senator made his Presidential endorsement?
Comment by 10th Ward Monday, Mar 2, 20 @ 12:09 pm
VP Biden has mentioned that he’d consider former GA gov candidate, Stacey Abrams, as his running mate…
Comment by Billy Sunday Monday, Mar 2, 20 @ 12:13 pm
If Warren does poorly tomorrow and suspends her campaign, all of her Illinois endorsers will become free agents.
Comment by Oak Parker Monday, Mar 2, 20 @ 12:15 pm
Don’t forget, Pat Quinn is on the ballot to be a Biden delegate.
Comment by Oak Parker Monday, Mar 2, 20 @ 12:17 pm
I voted today. Looking at Republican ballot…who is the guy running against Trump with no delegates?
Comment by Not a Billionaire Monday, Mar 2, 20 @ 12:24 pm
“2) if the Bernie Bros, and those who support Bernie outside of the rabid like fanatics, will still vote this November and vote for someone other than Bernie.”
The vast majority voted for the Democratic nominee last time, I can’t see why it would be different this time, barring something truly heinous happening in the convention.
Comment by PeoriaDem Monday, Mar 2, 20 @ 12:27 pm
So Duckworth is a moderate now? I thought she was supposed to be progressive?
Comment by lincoln's beard Monday, Mar 2, 20 @ 12:29 pm
“So Duckworth is a moderate now? I thought she was supposed to be progressive?”
You say that like we are all using those words to mean the same thing.
Comment by Montrose Monday, Mar 2, 20 @ 12:32 pm
=== The vast majority voted for the Democratic nominee…===
… and yet in places like WI, MI, PA, the places where it mattered, (unlike IL) there was a trend of Bernie voters in the primary voting for Trump, some who even were Obama voters in the past.
It’s not the overall problem that will be worrisome, it’s where it’s going to matter, battleground states (in the competitive congressional districts in those states) where that margin matters… maybe. We’ll see.
Heck, it’s all speculation to trends right now without a Super Tuesday snapshot to give thoughts weight.
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Mar 2, 20 @ 12:32 pm
“It’s not the overall problem that will be worrisome, it’s where it’s going to matter, battleground states (in the competitive congressional districts in those states) where that margin matters… maybe. We’ll see.”
This all day. Show me who pulls votes away from Trump in Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Ohio, etc., and I will show you who I am voting for.
Comment by Montrose Monday, Mar 2, 20 @ 12:34 pm
Since Biden is a Democrat and Bernie is not (I support Bernie), many Democratic elected officials will support a fellow Democrat. Thankfully Bernie is running as a Democrat, as it would be worse for Dems if he ran as an independent.
Duckworth is an American patriot, the polar opposite of Cadet Bone Spurs. She’d make a great VP choice.
“The vast majority voted for the Democratic nominee last time, I can’t see why it would be different this time, barring something truly heinous happening in the convention.”
The nomination process has to be as fair as possible given the huge potential downside if it isn’t and people feel cheated.
Comment by Grandson of Man Monday, Mar 2, 20 @ 12:34 pm
Kloubacher out did not even hang in to see if she would win her state. Establishment gunning for Bernie. Love to know what promises made
And not to refight Vietnam. But Biden has five deferments . Thank goodness this should be last election that this comes up
Comment by DuPage Saint Monday, Mar 2, 20 @ 12:53 pm
Well, with Amy gone the one lone presidential primary sign I’ve seen in my tri county area will have to be removed.
Except for a race for state’s attorney, you wouldn’t know in my central IL county that there is a primary in two weeks.
Comment by G'Kar Monday, Mar 2, 20 @ 1:33 pm
Unfortunately, Joe is having trouble stringing together sentences. Recently he claimed 150 million people had been killed from gun violence since 2007. He said he was running for the US Senate and claimed another person was running for President.
It is pretty sad.
Comment by Pick a Name Monday, Mar 2, 20 @ 1:36 pm
- Pick a Name -
Welp, if Biden is the nominee, and that’s not close to being soup yet, there will be TWO nominees… ===…having trouble stringing together sentences.===
=== It is pretty sad.===
The debate could get interesting.
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Mar 2, 20 @ 1:40 pm
But, Trump is more lucid than Joe, it would be quite embarrassing actually. I’m surprised those closest to Joe didn’t convince him to drop out some time ago. I’m not sure anybody can count the number of times he mistakenly said what state he was in.
Comment by Pick a Name Monday, Mar 2, 20 @ 1:43 pm
=== I’m surprised those closest to Joe didn’t convince him to drop out some time ago.===
… and yet… South Carolina answers your ridiculous premise.
===… more lucid…===
Whew. “Ok, go with that”
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Mar 2, 20 @ 1:45 pm
And once again, Willy misses the mark. Have you heard Joe speak for a few minutes at a time?
Comment by Pick a Name Monday, Mar 2, 20 @ 1:47 pm
=== Have you heard Joe speak for a few minutes at a time?===
(Sigh)
There’s no mark to miss. POTUS is not lucid, promotes conspiracy theories already disproven, and resorts to racist thoughts to get applause lines.
I’m done feeding you. I thought you could be honest and thoughtful to your own observation. That’s on me. My bad.
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Mar 2, 20 @ 1:50 pm
“… and yet in places like WI, MI, PA, the places where it mattered, (unlike IL) there was a trend of Bernie voters in the primary voting for Trump, some who even were Obama voters in the past.”
I think the data makes it clear that a decline in turnout in places like Milwaukee and Detroit (places where Clinton did better than Sanders) actually had more to do with the losses in those states than what amount of Sanders-Trump voters there were.
Comment by PeoriaDem Monday, Mar 2, 20 @ 1:53 pm
@Oswego Willy
That’s why early voting is bad, especially in multi-candidate races. Early voting is convenient and saves money, but really out to be restricted so that people don’t vote for candidates that drop out. I suggest one week of ealy voting.
Or implement ranked choice voting in races with more than two candidates.
For local races, here in Cook County this is THE election. (R_’s don’t even bother to submit petitions, so in Fall we get a Soviet election. i.e. Vote For Preckwinkle or Vote For Preckwinckle.
Comment by Streamwood Retiree Monday, Mar 2, 20 @ 1:56 pm
=== I think the data makes it clear that a decline in turnout in places like Milwaukee and Detroit (places where Clinton did better than Sanders) actually had more to do…===
Turnout, especially by African-Americans in urban areas like Milwaukee and Detroit were a mitigating factor, but ignoring the 6-12% of Bernie voters who voted Trump in places like Erie, PA or other places ignored that in an overall, the Clinton campaign failed in GOTV and understanding that Bernie voters in important places were hurting even more when missing turnout projections in places like, you guessed it, Milwaukee and Detroit.
It’s as silly, but cautionary, as “Clinton needed to be in Wisconsin more”, and “we didn’t see Clinton have a presence here in…. “
With respect, you’re on an important point as well.
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Mar 2, 20 @ 2:11 pm
===really out to be restricted so that people don’t vote for candidates that drop out===
You makes your bets and you takes your risks.
Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Mar 2, 20 @ 2:16 pm
I think Trump dusts off his 2016 playbook and and starts screaming “Crooked Joe” and “Lock him up”.
Comment by don the legend Monday, Mar 2, 20 @ 2:20 pm
With Mayor Pete, Steyer and Amy all suddenly dropping out so soon and within hours of each other how can one not feel something for their supporters–both those who have contributed financially and those who worked, canvassed and caucused for them for months. Sure, in any presidential primary season the candidates who can’t make the grade eventually leave the race– but the timing of these must be profound and jarring to their supporters many of whom to be honest are not Biden fans.
Comment by Responsa Monday, Mar 2, 20 @ 2:22 pm
=== but the timing of these must be profound and jarring to their supporters===
Steyer spent $250+ million to get waxed in SC
Buttigieg went from first in Iowa to 4th in South Carolina, the trend was not his friend.
Klobuchar is at single digits in delegates after 4 states.
If any of those supporters are confused by the decisions, they’re probably not paying attention.
Also, politics ain’t bean bag. When you’re getting beat, at some point you let the leaders decide when you’re comfortable leaving the playing field.
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Mar 2, 20 @ 2:29 pm
Look at Biden’s delegate slates: he has had the party regulars in Cook County and elsewhere locked up for months.
Comment by Practical Politics Monday, Mar 2, 20 @ 2:32 pm
===So Duckworth is a moderate now? I thought she was supposed to be progressive?===
Sanders and his Bernie Bro base misuse “moderate” to mean anyone not as far left as Sanders. Biden and Duckworth are not moderates as that word is understood by honest people. They are solid mainstream liberal Democrats.
Comment by Nick Name Monday, Mar 2, 20 @ 2:44 pm
Sen. Duckworth might have merit as a VP pick, but it shouldn’t be to shore up support in Illinois. There is no way Trump will win in Illinois.
Comment by Three Dimensional Checker Monday, Mar 2, 20 @ 2:58 pm
Hi
Comment by Tom Willis Monday, Mar 2, 20 @ 4:43 pm
Joe or Bernie will win.
Comment by Tom Willis Monday, Mar 2, 20 @ 5:04 pm
***There is no way Trump will win.. in Illinois.***
Brings back memories of the 2016 election
Comment by Old Illini Monday, Mar 2, 20 @ 5:46 pm
=== ***There is no way Trump will win.. in Illinois.***
Brings back memories of the 2016 election===
Narrator: Trump didn’t win Illinois in 2016
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Mar 2, 20 @ 5:52 pm
Some or many people don’t vote early to allow late developments to happen, which might change their minds, like candidates dropping out and dynamics changing. That’s a smart idea for a lot of people. Those who didn’t vote early for Super Tuesday have a chance to respond to the changing dynamics and maybe reshape the race.
Comment by Grandson of Man Monday, Mar 2, 20 @ 6:45 pm
Election Day is also the day polling places might open late and voting machines might malfunction.
Comment by Tom Willis Monday, Mar 2, 20 @ 6:52 pm
=== For local races, here in Cook County this is THE election. (R_’s don’t even bother to submit petitions, so in Fall we get a Soviet election. i.e. Vote For Preckwinkle or Vote For Preckwinckle.===
If you think it’s “Soviet” stylings, the county Raunerites and Trumpkins have taken the former GOP in Cook from “token competition” status to “we give up” resignation.
It’s not like the Dems are forbidding the GOP to be competitive.
That would be Soviet style.
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Mar 3, 20 @ 8:13 am
=Trump is more lucid than Joe=
Yesterday the more lucid Trump was arguing with the head of infectious diseases on how long it would take to get a Covid-19 vaccine. And even after being corrected repeatedly he continued to double down on his blatantly false statements. So spare me the concern about a guy that gets the days of the week mixed up.
Comment by Pundent Tuesday, Mar 3, 20 @ 9:02 am