President Joe Biden has coasted to victory in South Carolina’s debut Democratic primary, securing 96 percent of the vote. It was a performance as riveting as a rerun of last year’s weather forecast, with token opposition from Rep. Dean Phillips (D-Minn.) and author Marianne Williamson, who collectively managed to gather as much excitement as a library book club meeting.
A Red State’s Love Affair with Biden
Despite being a red state, South Carolina has again demonstrated its odd affinity for President Joe Biden in a primary election that was more of a formality than a democratic exercise.
With Biden’s victory echoing his 2020 success, it’s as if South Carolina has decided to make him an honorary Southerner. In a state known for its conservative roots, Biden’s domination is akin to finding a cowboy hat at a Charleston high-society gala—a bit out of place, but it somehow fits the narrative.
The shock factor of Biden’s win is like discovering sweet tea on a menu in Charleston, where unsweetened tea is often seen as a personal offense. It’s almost as if South Carolina can’t resist the temptation to spice things up with a political twist, even if the result feels as predictable as the humidity in July.
The Big Question: Does it Even Matter?
While Biden basks in his Palmetto State triumph, the bigger question looms—does winning in South Carolina, where Republican roots run deep, even matter in the grand scheme of things? Skepticism abounds, with some suggesting that South Carolina’s Democratic primary is as consequential as debating the color of the curtains in a ghost town.
Richard Gordon, a Democratic Governors Association board member, summed it up with a shrug, declaring, “What happens today in South Carolina—it doesn’t matter. There’s no way Joe Biden wins South Carolina come November.” A blunt reality check wrapped in a crimson bow.
Low Turnout: A Yawn Heard’ Round the State
With a turnout that could rival a Monday morning staff meeting, only 68 percent of the 198,000 votes have been counted. Concerns about enthusiasm are as prevalent as mosquitoes in the Lowcountry. Democratic leaders feared a lackluster showing, worrying that voters, faced with an uncontested Biden, might binge-watch reality TV instead.
Despite efforts, including a tour with DNC Chair Jamie Harrison, the campaign struggled to inject life into a state where historical voting patterns make a Democratic victory seem as likely as snowfall in South Florida.
South Carolina: A Pit Stop on the Campaign Trail
With Biden’s nomination all but secured, South Carolina Democrats are already packing up their campaign signs and looking ahead to the general election. In a state often overlooked by both parties during primary seasons, it seems more like a pit stop than a battleground.
Analyst Richard Gordon suggests Biden might be better off focusing on states like Michigan, where the real political tussle awaits. Yet, House Minority Whip Jim Clyburn urges the troops to rally, evoking a sense of national unity with a side order of political optimism.
Biden’s Missing Act and the South Carolina Quandary
Biden’s curious absence from the South Carolina spotlight raises eyebrows, akin to a magician forgetting to pull a rabbit out of a hat. While Vice President Kamala Harris stepped into the breach, Biden’s campaign brushed off the state’s significance in the broader political circus.
Analyst Daron Shaw insists there might be a better gauge of Biden’s appeal to the broader African American demographic than South Carolina’s electorate. The state’s unique political flavor leaves many wondering if it’s a reliable indicator or just an outlier in the grand symphony of American politics.
A Predictable Victory in a Red State Sideshow
Though expected, President Biden’s landslide win in South Carolina raises questions about its significance. With lackluster turnout, a lukewarm reception, and Biden’s strategic sidestep, South Carolina feels more like a sideshow than a battleground in the Democrats’ pursuit of victory come November. As the political theater continues, the verdict on Biden’s success in this red state remains as elusive as a Carolina breeze.
