The U.S. political world is focused on Feb. 29th’s South Carolina primary vote, and Tuesday’s primaries in 14 other states, despite the cloud of the coronavirus hanging over Washington. While there are only 60 cases reported so far in the U.S., some believe there is a threat of a pandemic hitting the U.S. and allege that the Administration has faltered in its first steps.

South Carolina

After setbacks in the first three primaries, former Vice President Joe Biden is set for a must-win decision by the Democratic voters in South Carolina vote Saturday. He has counted on a deep reservoir of goodwill among African-American voters to save his candidacy in a state where 60% of the Democratic primary voters are black.

After a solid performance in this past week’s debate, and the critical endorsement of South Carolina’s most influential African-American Congressman James Clyburn, Biden has built a double-digit lead over Senator Bernie Sanders in the most recent polling. A Biden victory may not turnaround his stumbling campaign, but it does give him a lifeline to survive until Super Tuesday.

Super Tuesday

One-third of all delegates to the Democratic convention will be chosen in the contests this Tuesday, March 3, in 14 states, including California and Texas. Tuesday will also mark the first day former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s name appears on the ballot, and voters will decide if his performance in this week’s debate was good enough to give him a second look after his disastrous first debate.

Senator Bernie Sanders is polling very well in both California and Texas, and Biden has not had the financial resources to either air commercials or employ staff in the key states. It is a big question mark if any of the moderate alternative candidates can remain a viable alternative to Sanders after Super Tuesday. Second place in these races could tell who emerges as the moderate rival to Sanders.

Coronavirus

The President’s press conference Wednesday night lacked clarity and leadership.
Reports of healthcare leaders being muzzled, whistle blowers being punished and blaming the press for scaring the public doesn’t appear to be the prescription for dealing with the growing crisis.

A national emergency can give a President the chance to truly demonstrate leadership, but it also poses great risk especially in an election year when job performance is on the line. The coming weeks will pose a new level of both risk and reward for the Trump Administration.

Figure: Top Trump Tweets

South Carolina, Super Tuesday Votes Crucial for Dem Contenders
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