South Carolina Creates Two Competitions

Saturday's South Carolina Primary flipped the script on Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders' domination of the Democratic Party Primary contests so far. Biden won, and Biden won big.

South Carolina by Biden's own description was his "firewall" and was critical to the Biden Campaign. Up until Rep. Jim Clyburn gave the former Vice President his heartfelt endorsement it also looked like that Biden might flop, and even have to suspend his campaign for the failure. By many it was already proclaimed the Biden campaign was dead in the water. Biden's "comeback" puts the race firmly between Biden and Sanders should Bloomberg not pull and upset on Super Tuesday, but that is only the race on surface. Another one is just beginning just behind the scenes.

Joe Biden in South Carolina

Buttigieg dropped out following the primary in quick succession of one another. Buttigieg (likely) dropped out at this particular time for a two fold reason: First, he wanted to make room in the moderate lane. Second, he's trying to move in on the Vice Presidency.

Soon after he dropped out, he declared his intention to endorse Joe Biden. A win for his moderate ideals, and, should Biden win the nomination (which is looking increasingly more likely), a win for his own political career. Who wouldn't want to be Vice President before age 40? Klobuchar dropped out soon after. Another moderate bites the dust, and, wouldn't you know it, makes plans to endorse Joe Biden (per multiple reports).

This isn't the first time Klobuchar and Buttigieg have been head-to-head.

But what rushed Klobuchar to drop her 'Klomentum' before Super Tuesday? Buttigieg dropping out is more than likely the cause. With him cozying up to the Biden campaign, Klobuchar aims to make the same inroads and strike while the Iron is hot to get a seat on the ticket and was pushed to do it quickly with Buttigieg moving in. What South Carolina has done is created two races. Bernie vs. Biden, as the moderates rally around Biden and the Progressives unite around Bernie, and a smaller moderate fight of Klobuchar vs. Buttigieg - one that will go on mostly, if not entirely behind closed doors.