(DES MOINES, Ia.) – Iowa’s first in the nation caucuses will reshape the Democratic field, but some candidates are less dependent on Iowa’s results than others.
Pete Buttigieg has struggled to connect with the African-American voters who will be far more significant in South
Carolina’s February 29 primary than in Iowa. Some of the falloff in South Carolina has migrated to Tom Steyer, who’s
also polling in double digits in this month’s Nevada caucuses. And Joe Biden continues to enjoy a big lead in South
Carolina, fueled by the lion’s share of those African-American voters.
Steyer says he’s worked hard to earn African-American support in South Carolina, He suggests voters there have taken
note of his platform, which includes a commitment to civil rights and a $12.5 billion per year proposal to strengthen
historically black colleges into a cohesive network, not just loosely affiliated schools.
Steyer has been at the back of the pack in Iowa polling, but says he hopes to come out of the state with momentum to carry him toward the next round of states, though he declined to set a target for his support.
The race takes another turn after South Carolina. Former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg has ignored the four early-voting states to take aim at the giant delegate haul which begins with Super Tuesday in March. Bloomberg and Steyer are the two billionaires in the race, but Steyer says the similarities end there. He says they appeal to completely different demographics, and pointedly notes the former Republican has declined to endorse a wealth tax, a step he argues is essential for someone seeking to be Democrats’ standardbearer.
Tom Steyer (Photo: Eric Berman/WIBC)
