Biden blames Steyer for SC slide as billionaire makes debate

[left-of-center2012]

Though former Vice President Joe Biden still leads the South Carolina primary race, according to the polls, his advantage has shrunk dramatically in recent weeks. And he blames his slide on a billionaire who has poured millions of dollars in the race for that state.

"What's happening is you have Steyer spending hundreds of millions, tens of thousands of dollars, millions of dollars, out campaigning there," Biden said Sunday on CBS News' "Face the Nation" when asked why he thought his large lead had begun to erode in South Carolina, a state that is critical for his campaign after his loses in Iowa, New Hampshire and Nevada.

Biden said Steyer had spent "a lot of money" in South Carolina and he assumed that was "part of the reason why those numbers are down."
"But I don't know," he added.

In the CBS News poll, Steyer trailed only Biden in South Carolina, who came in at 28%, and Sanders, who had 23%. Behind them were Warren (12%), Buttigieg (10%) and Klobuchar. Bloomberg was not included in the poll because he is not campaigning in the state, but 41% said they would consider him if he were on the ballot.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2020/02/23/tom-steyer-makes-south-carolina-debate/4850721002/

[4139]

1. Seven on the stage makes it blurry, but likely helps Bernie as he got mo and the other don't

[Laelth]

2. Biden is right to make this accusation.

Steyer is making a serious play for SC. Kat Taylor has set up house in Columbia, and Steyer decided to forego NV and focus on SC, instead. Steyer is seriously cutting into Biden's support in the state. The result may be that Steyer's campaigning will hand the state to Sanders.

Biden's not off the mark, here. Steyer's intense focus on SC may cost Biden the last chance he has to gain momentum going into Super Tuesday.

-Laelth

[Cuthbert Allgood]

3. But Bloomberg spending millions is a good thing?

Because, Bernie?

[TwilightZone]

5. Bloomberg isn't on the ballot in SC.

[Sherman A1]

4. Perhaps Biden

needs to look at his campaign staff in the state and focus on selling his message as opposed to blaming other candidates for changes in the polling.

[Blue_true]

7. I agree. nt

[Blue_true]

6. I really wish Biden had not said that.

What he should have said is that we have five more days of campaigning left and I plan to work hard for votes.

[Bumperstickers]

8. If his internal polls were good

He would never had said that, he is lowering expectations with those comments.