TPM: It Wasn't a Bounce. Biden's Support is Growing

[RelativelyJones]

Let’s start with the obligatory disclaimers and caveats and blah blah. It’s very early. The first caucuses and primaries are almost 10 months away. But Joe Biden is getting more than a bounce from his campaign launch announcement three weeks ago. The bump in his poll numbers haven’t subsided. His support continues to climb. A poll out over the weekend from South Carolina puts his support at 46% with Bernie Sanders far behind at 15% and three others, Harris (10%), Buttigieg (8%) and Warren (8%), just behind him.

South Carolina is important for a number of reasons – mostly, because it’s one of the first four caucuses and primaries that usually defines and sometimes settles a nominating contest. But unlike Iowa and New Hampshire, which are both lily white, South Carolina’s Democratic presidential primary is majority African-American – 61% in 2016. Biden’s strength is South Carolina confirms which you see in the internals of the national polls – very strong support among African-American voters.

But it’s not just South Carolina. The trend is national as well. Since Biden’s announcement in late April his support has risen about 10 points and most of it has been at Bernie Sanders’ expense. This chart from RCP is striking.

https://talkingpointsmemo.com/edblog/it-wasnt-a-bounce-bidens-support-is-growing

[rzemanfl]

1. I guess these socks are clean enough to wear again.

Decisions, decisions.

[George II]

3. Darn.

[rzemanfl]

4. -

[NurseJackie]

7. Ooph!

[Cha]

14. Sorry, what does that

have to do with Josh Marshall's report on Joe Biden?

Is it a distraction?

[Politicub]

18. Oh, you

[Demsrule86]

21. These are lucky socks...winners socks.

[Demsrule86]

2. I love Joe.

[Thekaspervote]

5. Me too!! Go Joe.. we need your level head and experience

[DownriverDem]

9. Me too

We want someone who can beat trump. Biden can do that. He represents normalcy and has a ton of experience. I don't get why folks don't see how we need him. I would love to see a Biden/Harris ticket.

[LakeArenal]

11. One more for Joe.

[Cha]

19. Our ticket out

of hell.

[Demsrule86]

20. Amen to that. All this policy talk that mostly never happens after election is

meaningless to me...we have to get Trump out and then see what is possible. Without the Senate, we won't get much more but neither will the repugs.

[mobeau69]

6. Quadruplicate (at least).

[Cha]

15. From Josh Marshall?

Thanks for Kicking the Thread!

[NurseJackie]

8. There's a very good reason for that.

his support has risen about 10 points and most of it has been at Bernie Sanders’ expense.

There's a very good reason for that. I believe that voters are growing weary of all the attacks and smears and just generally denigrating Democrats and the Democratic party. People are rejecting that type of politics, especially when it's so destructive and divisive. Loyal Democrats and party supporters can't abide by someone falsely claiming that the party is "corrupt" or "feeble" or "ideologically bankrupt". It's simply too divisive and generates feelings if ill-will and distrust whenever someone falsely claims that "there's no difference between the GOP and the Democratic party" ... or when we hear toxic rhetoric about how Democrats are the "party of the one-percent".

When people say things like that, it only creates distrust and division. A divided party is a weakened party. Sadly, that only benefits Trump and the GOP (and Russia.)

And here's why: That sort of negativity generates apathy. When people feel apathetic about the party, that discourages voter turnout. It also discourages NEW voters from supporting the party. Low voter turnout gives Republicans a chance to steal the elections.

So my question is WHY would anyone do or say things that tarnish and diminish Democrats or the Democratic party? Why do or say thing that make it easier for Republican (Russians) to steal elections?

I'm thrilled that the voters are starting to catch on to (and REJECT) this type of divisive and harmful and toxic rhetoric. Voters understand what's at stake and what needs to be done.

[DownriverDem]

10. Voters

want someone who can beat trump. They don't want to take a chance this time with a newbie. That pretty much sums up why Biden is doing so good.

[peggysue2]

12. That does pretty much sum it up

Biden is a known quantity. He's a liberal, a strong Party loyalist. He's likable and experienced. Most importantly? He can beat Trump in PA, MI & WI.

The electability thing has become crucial to a lot of voters because 4 more years of Trump is unfathomable and people are genuinely worried about the damage done to the country. Without a 2020 win no progressive agenda is doable. In fact, Trump and his GOP cronies are doing their level best to dismantle the programs that have been in place for decades: SS, Medicare, Medicaid. Healthcare and reproductive rights will be next on the chopping block. Climate Change? They'll continue to deny it until the world is literally afire. Voting rights? Voter suppression is part of the Republican game plan (because minority rule is so hard to give up).

And then there's Biden, considered by many as the Kingslayer. If Joe Biden adds a young top gun as a running mate? They'll wipe the floor with Trump, aka the Mad King. And then we can get on with repair, healing and moving forward.

[emmaverybo]

13. You sum it up well. And we need someone who can hit the ground running on foreign relations

with both friends and foes. Biden can deal sanely with North Korea, Russia, the Middle East. It is no wonder his candidacy is favored in Europe.
A Biden presidency will signal that we and our allies stand together. No more threatening, taunting and then kissing up as a foreign policy.
We can not allow time for a learning curve.

[Cha]

16. Thank You for this, RJ!

I like reading Josh Marshall

[Scurrilous]

17. K&R