Biden inches towards Democratic Party’s presidential nomination

Washington, March 11

Former US vice president Joe Biden inched closer to Democratic Party’s presidential nomination on Wednesday after securing big primary wins in four states, including the key battleground Michigan, over his main rival Bernie Sanders.

By late Tuesday night, 77-year-old Biden had 788 pledged delegates in his kitty as he scored wins in the States of Michigan, Mississippi and Missouri as against 633 pledged delegates for 78-year-old Sanders. He also won Idaho. Sanders secured victory in North Dakota. The result from Washington state is awaited.

Either of the candidates needs at least 1991 of the 3,979 pledged delegates to win the presidential nomination of the Democratic party.

Biden had lagged behind his Democratic rivals in early voting states, but rebounded after winning nine of the 14 states on “Super Tuesday” last week, the most important day in the race for the White House.

His wins in Michigan, Missouri, Mississippi and Idaho on Tuesday has cemented his position as front-runner in the Democratic race to take on President Donald Trump in the presidential election in November. Biden’s win in Michigan is crucial as Sanders had clinched the victory in the state defeating Hillary Clinton four years ago.

In his speech in Pennsylvania, Biden said that democracy is at stake in this election and the country cannot afford to have another four years of President Trump who is seeking his second term this November elections. — PTI

Pressure on Bernie to exit the race

The disappointing results effectively close the door for Bernie Sanders (78), who had been hoping for an upset win in Michigan to keep his dwindling White House hopes alive. Sanders’ disappointing performance in a state that he won in the 2016 Democratic primary will increase pressure on the democratic socialist and senator from Vermont to exit the race and help Democrats prepare for a bruising general election campaign against Trump