The Democratic primary has radically shifted in the past 24 hours. The flat-lining Biden campaign received a much needed breath of fresh air when both Pete Buttigieg and Amy Klobuchar dropped out of the presidential contest Sunday and Monday, respectively. Despite his big win in South Carolina, the former vice president’s campaign was in dire need of a morale boost, and Buttigieg and Klobuchar are delivering just that.
Both Buttigieg and Klobuchar are set to endorse former Vice President Biden on Monday:
Breaking: Pete Buttigieg plans to endorse Joe Biden
— Political Polls (@PpollingNumbers) March 2, 2020
Welcome to Team @JoeBiden, @PeteButtigieg!
— Chris D. Jackson (@ChrisDJackson) March 2, 2020
You and your supporters have a home in our campaign!#PeteToBidenhttps://t.co/Tr7VXtMYeO
NEWS: @amyklobuchar confirms the Senator is flying to Dallas to join @JoeBiden at his rally tonight where she will suspend her campaign and endorse the Vice President.
— Jasmine Wright (@JasJWright) March 2, 2020
The former vice president also received the endorsement of former Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV), who had remained neutral thus far:
REID comes off the sidelines, endorses ?@JoeBiden? https://t.co/gfQgC3wxMX
— Jake Sherman (@JakeSherman) March 2, 2020
The timing of both Buttigieg and Klobuchar calling it quits is somewhat surprising; it may be an indication of fear within the Democratic establishment of the legitimization of Sen. Sanders' chance to clinch the nomination. Buttigieg and Klobuchar both stayed in the "moderate" lane with the former vice president during the primary, differentiating themselves from Sens. Sanders and Warren on issues such as health care.
Former Mayor of New York City Mike Bloomberg responded to the news of Buttigieg and Klobuchar's exit from the race, indicating that he is in it for the long-haul:
"I'm in it to win it," @MikeBloomberg says just now after Klobuchar & Buttigieg drop out within a 24-hour span
— Josh Lederman (@JoshNBCNews) March 2, 2020
Super Tuesday will give a clearer indication as to whether Buttigieg and Klobuchar supporters can back former Vice President Biden, or if they will flock to Sens. Warren or Sanders. Follow along with us tomorrow on our live blog here.