The Democratic race for the White House is entering a crucial stretch this week, with Saturday’s South Carolina primary and then 14 states voting on Super Tuesday, March 3.
Here are five developments to follow during the next several days:
Can Bernie Sanders continue solid lead?
Bernie Sanders won a resounding victory in Nevada on Saturday with 47% of the vote. Former Vice President Joe Biden's floundering campaign was second, at 20%. Former South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg finished third, with 14%.
Sanders, who describes himself as a democratic socialist, has become the unquestioned front-runner in the race. He’s won in New Hampshire and Iowa, although a formal winner has yet to be declared in the Iowa caucuses because of technical, vote-counting glitches.
»Full results of the Nevada Democratic caucus here
Sanders is sure to come under more scrutiny, focus and attacks from the other Democrats in the race and the media. In fact, Sanders was under fire Monday morning for comments he made about Cuba’s Fidel Castro the night before.
During Sunday’s edition of “60 Minutes,” Sanders said Castro’s Cuban revolution wasn’t entirely bad.
“We’re very opposed to the authoritarian nature of Cuba, but, you know, it’s simply unfair to say everything is bad,” Sanders said. “You know, when Fidel Castro came into office, you know what he did? He had a massive literacy program. Is that a bad thing? Even though Fidel Castro did it?”
Joe Biden’s last stand?
Biden absolutely needs a Palmetto State victory to stay in the race. He’s had poor showings in Iowa, New Hampshire and Nevada, despite a Las Vegas Democratic debate during which he practically shouted his attacks on other Democrats and answers to questions.
»Sin City throwdown: Best lines, barbs from Las Vegas debate
Biden has long counted South Carolina as one of his firewall states, with supposed strong backing from the state’s African American leaders.
Watch Biden's performance in Tuesday night's South Carolina Democratic debate, beginning at 8. The debate will be aired on CBS, and co-moderated by Gayle King, who came under intense fire for an interview after the death of NBA superstar Kobe Bryant. King, who co-hosts "CBS This Morning," will join "CBS Evening News" anchor and managing editor Norah O'Donnell as moderators. CBS News is co-hosting the debate with the Congressional Black Caucus Institute in Charleston, S.C.
Will the Democratic race finally become an all-white-male affair?
For a party courting every African American and minority vote, this race may very well be an all-white-male affair after Super Tuesday. While U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar made a strong showing in New Hampshire with a second-place finish, she made a poor, sixth-place finish in Nevada. Even billionaire businessman Tom Steyer did better than Klobuchar in Nevada.
»New Super Tuesday polls show Sanders leading in N.C. and Texas, Klobuchar in Minnesota
U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren finished fourth in Nevada. Klobuchar is leading in a Super Tuesday poll in her home state of Minnesota, and Warren and Sanders are tied in Massachusetts’ Super Tuesday primary.
Will Michael Bloomberg become Doomberg?
Former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg was absolutely decimated by Warren and other Democrats in the Las Vegas debate, his first on the national stage. But Bloomberg didn’t qualify for the Nevada caucus or the South Carolina ballot, meaning his first true electoral test comes on Super Tuesday.
Bloomberg qualified for Tuesday’s South Carolina Democratic debate. Despite pouring hundreds of millions of dollars into the race, Bloomberg needs a strong showing in Tuesday night’s debate and on Super Tuesday.
Can Mayor Pete Buttigieg remain relevant?
He stunned the nation with a strong showing in the Iowa debacle, finishing in a statistical tie with Sanders, followed by a strong and close second-place finish behind Sanders in New Hampshire. But after a disappointing third place in Nevada, Buttigieg now heads to South Carolina, where some African American leaders have questioned if Buttigieg's homosexuality makes him unelectable.
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Longtime African American Congressman Jim Clyburn of South Carolina told CNN recently that there was no question that support for an openly gay candidate was a "generational" issue for older black voters.
“I know of a lot of people my age that feel that way,” Clyburn said. “I’m not going to sit here and tell you otherwise. I think everybody knows that’s an issue.”
