President Joe Biden notched an early win Super Tuesday when he prevailed in the Iowa Caucuses in a contest with less impact and drama than intraparty smackdowns of the past.
Biden won the support of more than 11,000 Iowa Democrats in returns posted on the state party’s web site.
That came while challenger Rep. Dean Phillips got the support of 362, while Marianne Williamson got 268. ‘Uncommitted’ was supported by 480, following a vigorous ‘uncommitted’ effort in Michigan that hit 13 per cent of the vote.
That gave the president a convincing 90 per cent win in Iowa even as the Democratic Party stripped Iowa of its early caucus status after the fiasco during the 2020 count while giving South Carolina coveted first-in-the-nation status.
That ended the tradition of fierce campaigning and sign-wielding volunteers and supporters packing arenas through the winter.
This year, the caucus was conducted entirely by mail, with the results announced on a party website with almost no fanfare.
President Joe Biden was expected to mop up more delegates on Super Tuesday. He was heaviliy favored in the Iowa caucuses over lesser-known opponents
The mail ballot was intended as a way to let Iowans even with work or family conflicts to participate.
Iowans could fill out preference cards for the president, Minnesota Rep. Dean Phillips, and Marianne Williamson, who unsuspended her campaign after beating Phillips in Michigan. As in Michigan, ‘uncommitted’ was an option.
Iowa results were expected to kick off a stream of information on Super Tuesday that will set the stage for 2024, with other early results expected in Virginia, North Carolina, and other states.
Biden beat back low polling candidates Rep. Dean Phillips and Marianne Williamson
According to state party chair Rita Hart, about 19,000 Iowa Democrats requested preference ballots, with more than 12,000 turned in as of Tuesday morning, for a return rate of 63 per cent, weareiowa.com reported.
That comes out of nearly 467,000 registered Democrats for a paltry 2.5 percent return rate.
It was the first result since more than 100,000 Michigan Democrats chose ‘uncommitted’ over Biden amid fury over U.S. policy toward Israel and the war in Gaza.
Iowa Democrats announced the results as 15 other states and one U.S. territory held elections.
It came on a night when Biden’s rival former President Donald Trump was expected to dominate in Republican primaries, but likely fall short of the delegates needed to lock up the Republican nomination until perhaps next week.