US 'Tuesday Man' Joe Biden... Consecutive Victory Reports (Comprehensive)

Biden Gains Momentum by Winning in Four States Including Key Battleground Michigan

Sanders Wins Only in North Dakota... Contemplates Future Course

▲Former Vice President Joe Biden [Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Jae-hee] Former Vice President Joe Biden secured victories in at least four states, including the crucial battleground state of Michigan, on the 'Mini Tuesday' held on the 10th (local time), delivering a triumphant report.

Following the 'Super Tuesday' on the 3rd, when primaries were held simultaneously in 14 states, Biden has also gained momentum by winning in six states during the 'Mini Tuesday,' strengthening the 'Biden momentum theory.'

If this trend continues, U.S. media analysts suggest it is highly likely that the race will be settled early, setting up a 'Trump vs. Biden' showdown.

According to the New York Times (NYT) as of 3 a.m. on the 11th, in Mississippi, with 98% of votes counted, Biden received 81% of the vote while Sanders got 15%, resulting in an overwhelming victory for Biden. In Missouri, with 100% of votes counted, Biden secured 60% and Sanders 35%. In Idaho, with 99% counted, Biden had 49% and Sanders 43%. In Michigan, considered the biggest battleground, with 97% counted, Biden led significantly with 53% to Sanders' 37%.

In Washington state, with 67% of votes counted, Senator Sanders and Biden are in a neck-and-neck race, each holding 33% of the vote.

However, in North Dakota, with 71% counted, Senator Sanders leads with 50% to Biden's 40%.

The sixth Democratic primary, 'Mini Tuesday,' featured the largest delegate count in Michigan with 125 delegates at stake, followed by Washington (89), Missouri (68), Mississippi (36), Idaho (20), and North Dakota (14), totaling 352 delegates.

Biden's victories on this day are analyzed to have been decisively influenced by support from Black and white working-class voters. Mississippi's population is 70% Black.

Especially, Biden's win in Michigan, considered the most critical battleground, is seen as recognition of his solid competitiveness in the general election. Michigan, along with Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and Ohio, is part of the 'Rust Belt,' a declining industrial region near the Great Lakes, and is regarded as a key swing state that will determine the outcome of the November presidential election. Michigan voted for Barack Obama in 2008 and for President Trump in 2016. Notably, in the 2016 Democratic primary, Senator Sanders narrowly defeated Hillary Clinton there by 1.4 percentage points, making Biden's victory even more significant.

Michigan, a region densely populated by white blue-collar workers, has been considered unfavorable territory for moderate candidates like Biden. Sanders attacked Biden for supporting the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) to appeal to voters in this area. Sanders is also trailing in polls in Florida (219 delegates), where the primary will be held on the 17th, making the Michigan win crucial.

Biden's success in Michigan is attributed to securing support not only from Black voters, who make up 20% of the population, but also from white working-class voters. He emphasized his own Rust Belt (Pennsylvania) roots and highlighted his backing from steel unions, appealing to the working-class electorate.

U.S. media also attached significance to Biden's Michigan victory.

The Washington Post (WP) reported, "Biden dealt a significant blow to Sanders by winning the Michigan primary." The NYT also stated, "Michigan's victory became the biggest prize for former Vice President Biden on 'Mini Tuesday.'"

In his speech that night, Vice President Biden said, "Together, we will defeat Donald Trump and unite this country." However, Senator Sanders did not deliver a separate speech.

CNN reported that Senator Sanders is carefully considering his future.

So far, former Vice President Biden has secured 823 delegates, while Senator Sanders has 663, 160 fewer than Biden. The 'magic number' of delegates needed to secure the presidential nomination is 1,991.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.