There are only six left to run for the Democratic nomination. Young moderate candidate Pete Buttigieg abandoned the Democratic race for the White House on Sunday, boosting Joe Biden's chances against favorite Bernie Sanders, more to the left. The news of his withdrawal fell two days before the giant "Super Tuesday" primary, when Democratic voters in 14 states will vote to choose who will face Donald Trump on November 3.
>> READ ALSO - Democratic primary in the United States: "Faced with Trump, they must choose the one who will beat him according to a program and not by default"
"Our goal has always been to help bring the Americans together to beat Donald Trump," said Pete Buttigieg, the first openly gay candidate in the White House race. He had no choice but to withdraw and "help bring the party together," he said in an emotional speech in his hometown of South Bend, Indiana, he was mayor.
Difficulties in mobilizing the black electorate
Aged 38, he had positioned himself as a moderate, warning against the excesses of the left wing of the party, embodied by Bernie Sanders. He won it by a hair in front of him in Iowa and came second in New Hampshire. An excellent performance for this stranger to the general public until recently.
His decision comes after a severe defeat in South Carolina, which highlighted his great difficulty in mobilizing within the black electorate, essential for a democrat to win the White House. While Joe Biden, the big winner of this stage, more than ever posed as an alternative to Bernie Sanders, 78, questioning the ability of Pete Buttigieg to rally the moderate camp.
Head for "Super Tuesday"
Like some observers, Donald Trump predicted on Twitter that Joe Biden would be the big beneficiary of Pete Buttigieg's departure. But analyst firm Morning Consult said the vote carry could be almost equivalent between Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders.
More than a third of the delegates (around 34%), who will choose the party's candidate during the Democratic convention in mid-July, will be appointed on Tuesday for "Super Tuesday". The other candidates behind, Joe Biden will face a Bernie Sanders who has raised almost double the amount raised by his campaign team ($ 134 million against 70) and has an unrivaled field network among Democrats.