Shutterstock
Former President Barack Obama called former Vice President Joe Biden this weekend to offer his congratulations–something he’s been unable to do until now since Biden hadn’t yet won a democratic primary.
That changed when Biden declared victory in South Carolina, scoring 48.4 percent of the votes and winning 35 delegates. Bernie Sanders came in second place with 19.9 percent of the votes and 13 delegates. Tom Steyer and Pete Buttigieg landed 3rd and 4th, with zero delegates.
As a result, both Steyer and Pete Buttigieg dropped out. But what is the real reason that Pete Buttigieg decided to call it quits?
It isn’t uncommon for Biden and Obama to make phone calls to one another, but the one following Biden’s win in South Carolina was special. You’d think after the years they spent together during Obama’s presidency, that he’d have no qualms offering his endorsement to his former Vice President.
However, an insider told CNN that Obama has no immediate plans to endorse anyone at the moment. The person said, “We are skeptical that an endorsement coming from us could truly change the political winds right now.”
They worry that if they did endorse Biden, there is “a very real chance it backfires.”
“He feels that he’s singularly positioned to help unify the party at the end of this,” said the Obama confidant. “And if he were to try to put his thumb on the scale now, it would take away his ability to do so when it’s most needed.”
The confidant added, “So he’s prepared to play a vigorous role in coalescing the party around the nominee and working to defeat Trump, but weighing in now likely only divides things worse and weakens his standing for when the Party will need it most.”
Related: Obama Has Had Enough, Steps Back into the Political Ring
In the already highly-contested run for the presidency among democrats, Buttigieg’s exit adds another wrinkle to the fold. After doing so well during the first two primaries, why is he quitting so early in the race?
One thing is pretty clear. Buttigieg calling it quits could help former Vice President Biden, and it might hurt Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders. Buttigieg hasn’t been shy about his opinion of Sanders during the debates. One can’t help but wonder if he’s trying to help Biden.
With Buttigieg out of the picture, recent data suggests that Buttigieg’s backers might be more likely to consider voting for Biden over Sanders.
However, new polls suggest that tomorrow could be a very close race between Biden and Sanders during Super Tuesday. As of Sunday, there is a 59 percent chance that no candidate will win a majority.
In the meantime, Super Tuesday might at least provide a distraction while Americans seek flu symptom relief, hoping that it might not be something worse.
Related: Chaotic Democratic Debate in South Carolina, Top Quotes of the Night
