Biden Blowout

One of the old lions of the Democratic Party just stormed into March like one.  Joe Biden won a decisive victory in South Carolina primary.

He came close to winning a majority of the popular vote, something Tom Steyer - who has since withdrawn as a presidential candidate - likely prevented him from doing after spending money on TV ads in the state like a working stiff who drank a lot of take-home pay (is that a great Billy Joel lyric, or what?).  But a win is a win, and this was a big win for Uncle Joe.  As of this writing, Biden has won for delegates in South Carolina for every one delegate Bernie Sanders - who came in a distant second at 28 percentage points behind - picked up, 28 to 7.  Biden's speech about restoring decency and goodness to America encapsulated what this campaign is and should be about, as Donald Trump represents the exact opposite.

U.S. Representative James Clyburn (above, with Biden) introduced Biden at the victory party for the former Vice President as a good man and as a man one can trust. Biden showed how much he earned that trust by urging people to consider what's at stake in November and reaffirming his commitment to the very virtues of America that Trump has undermined.  Clyburn underlined all that in his introduction of the former Vice President by reminding people that only a good nation can be a great nation.  Biden's speech got him some favorable free media that could compensate for his lack of money, for now at least, and it could help him in key Super Tuesday contests coming up this week.

The biggest loser in South Carolina was probably Donald Trump, who appeared in the state in a really the day before the primary to troll the candidates and tried to get Republicans to vote in the open primary for Sanders to help the candidate he thinks he defeat the most handily (didn't work, did it?), and he made himself look even more foolish than usual.  Biden still has his work cut out for him  He has to face Sanders in upcoming primaries and caucuses and also has to deal with the formidable Michael Bloomberg for dominance of the center-left Democratic faction.  But right now, things are looking up for him.  And it makes sense that one of the greatest soul records ever served as the theme music at Biden's South Carolina victory celebration.