New Hampshire voters have spoken and they’re feeling the Bern. But just barely.
The socialist Senator from Vermont squeaked by former Indiana Mayor Pete Buttigieg in last night’s primary with 25.7% of the vote. Buttigieg managed to capture 24.4% and Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar, who has seen a surge in support since the Iowa caucuses, came in third with 19.8%.
Sanders was smiling and thanking the people of New Hampshire during a speech to supporters after last night’s results were in.
He called his win “the beginning of the end for Donald Trump” and predicted he’d win in Nevada and South Carolina as well. “No matter who wins, and we certainly hope it’s going to be us, we’re going to unite together and defeat the most dangerous president in the modern history of this country,” he said.
Buttigieg, who (maybe) won Iowa, said his campaign is here to stay.
“Tonight, you proved the power of a politics defined by addition, not polarization. And you showed that a campaign some said shouldn’t be here at all is here to stay,” he said.
Thank you, New Hampshire.
Tonight, you proved the power of a politics defined by addition, not polarization. And you showed that a campaign some said shouldn't be here at all is here to stay. pic.twitter.com/zCubsRechm
— Pete Buttigieg (@PeteButtigieg) February 12, 2020
Klobuchar was elated by her third place finish and is pitching herself as the moderate Democrat, hoping to win over disgruntled Republicans and independent voters who are looking for an alternative to President Trump.
“We have beaten the odds every step of the way. We have done it on the merits. We have done it with ideas. And we have done it with hard work,” she said.
Amy Klobuchar speaks to supporters in New Hampshire: "We have beaten the odds every step of the way. We have done it on the merits. We have done it with ideas. And we have done it with hard work" #cnnelection https://t.co/Vsp87aOX0v pic.twitter.com/UHHgKoY8QZ
— CNN Politics (@CNNPolitics) February 12, 2020
Rounding out the top five were Elizabeth Warren in fourth place with 9.3% of the vote and President Joe Biden with 8.4%, who was already in South Carolina courting the Black vote.
“The most committed constituency in the Democratic Party, the African American community” and “the fastest growing segment of society, the Latino community,” haven’t yet voted he said to supporters at a South Carolina rally. “So to hear all these pundits and experts, all these cable TV talkers talk about the race, tell them: ‘it ain’t over, man. We’re just getting started. Our votes count too.'”
Joe Biden on minority voters: "Too often your loyalty, your support, your commitment to this party have been taken for granted. I have never once in my career…taken it for granted. And I give you my word as a Biden, I never, ever, ever will." https://t.co/LIhRNxfEeP pic.twitter.com/kMZrnuz8uD
— ABC News Politics (@ABCPolitics) February 12, 2020