Joe Biden close to sealing nomination after primaries hat-trick
Bernie Sanders under pressure to drop out after losing string of primaries
Joe Biden swept three key primaries last night, dominating a third week of consecutive presidental nomination elections.
Biden’s comfortable victories in Florida, Illinois and Arizona all but eliminated his rival Bernie Sanders, and came as Donald Trump formally sealed the Republican presidential nomination.
Biden now has more than 1,100 delegates, more than half of those needed to clinch the nomination. Sanders, who trails with just over 800, would need to win several of the upcoming primaries by huge margins to remain in the race.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
“Biden is well on his way to being the presumptive Democratic nominee,” said USA Today, with CNN adding that he has a “near-insurmountable lead” over Sanders.
“Our campaign has had a very good night – and is a little closer to securing the Democratic party’s nomination for president,” Biden said in a speech from his home in Wilmington, Delaware.
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––For a round-up of the most important stories from around the world - and a concise, refreshing and balanced take on the week’s news agenda - try The Week magazine. Get your first six issues for £6–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Yesterday’s primaries took place to the backdrop of stringent measures to control the spread of coronavirus in the US, with President Trump advising Americans not to gather in groups of more than 10.
Mike DeWine, the Republican governor of Ohio, announced on Monday afternoon that he would seek to postpone his state’s election until 2 June. An Ohio county judge rejected the request, saying it would set a “terrible” precedent, however the vote was delayed after DeWine instructed the state’s director of health to declare a public health emergency.
Tom Perez, chairman of the Democratic National Committee, attacked the delay, claiming that it caused “more chaos and confusion”.
Meanwhile, pressure is now growing on Sanders to drop out of the race so that Democrats can unite behind one candidate.
“#DropOutBernie” was trending on Twitter last night, with The Guardian reporting that the Vermont senator is facing calls “to make a gesture worthy of wartime and call it quits for the national good”.
The paper notes that Biden has built up a “nearly indomitable lead”, with former George W. Bush aide, Lloyd Green, writing: “Biden has now amassed more than 1,000 delegates, more than half way to clinching the nomination. The primary battle is over in all but name. November looms.”
Sanders “needs to take a long, hard look at how and why he would stay in the race,” Chris Meagher, a former adviser to ex-presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg, told CNN.
“And given how long he waited to drop out of the race in 2016, that pressure to drop out of the race when the writing is clearly on the wall is even greater.”
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Today's political cartoons - April 18, 2024
Cartoons Thursday's cartoons - impeachment Peanuts, record-breaking temperatures, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Pros and cons of solar energy
Pros and cons Solar power could become the primary source of electricity worldwide by 2050 – but there are still clouds in the forecast
By Rebecca Messina, The Week UK Published
-
Post Office's Capture software to be reviewed over 'glitches'
Speed Read Solicitor representing accused postmasters says flaws in the IT system follow 'very similar pattern' to Horizon
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published
-
'A direct, protracted war with Israel is not something Iran is equipped to fight'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
'Good riddance to the televised presidential debate'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
Trump's first criminal trial starts with jury picks
Speed Read The former president faces charges related to hush money payments made to adult film star Stormy Daniels
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Why are Republicans trying to change Nebraska's Electoral College vote?
Today's Big Question It's a chance for Donald Trump to block Joe Biden's path to re-election
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
House GOP scuttles FISA vote at Trump's urging
Speed Read Right-wing lawmakers blocked Speaker Mike Johnson's surveillance bill
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
To win the election, Trump is changing how elections are run
Under The Radar While the former president campaigns for a second term in office, he and his team have quietly been working to tilt the nation's electoral rules in his favor.
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Is it time to end arms sales to Israel?
Today's Big Question Democrats urge restrictions following World Kitchen convoy deaths
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
'What a difference a judge makes'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published