Black votes matter in US

In a remarkable comeback, former US vice-president Joe Biden swept nine states out of 14 on Super Tuesday to become the Democratic frontrunner to take on President Donald Trump in November. Those who voted for him weren’t only African-Americans but also white working class people and urbanites, creating an impressive Democratic constituency that might just make him extremely formidable. However, the US system doesn’t work that way. Hillary Clinton did win the popular vote in 2016, but not the vote-heavy delegates of the Electoral College and was edged out by Mr Trump.

It appears the Democrats have their ideal presidential candidate to take the onerous task of trying to defeat the incumbent. Mr Trump’s low ratings as President might mean little when it comes to the big battle between the core white and conservative US versus the eclectic rest, including a historically-restive South. For Mr Biden, there’s a long way to go yet in the primaries, but he has such momentum that besides two prominent dropouts in Elizabeth Warren and Michael Bloomberg, pacemaker Bernie Sanders is virtually abandoning the South to concentrate on the Midwest states and his core support base.

When it comes down to brass tacks, the Democrats may stand no chance if a self-confessed socialist like Bernie Sanders is the candidate against the flamboyant “Make America Great Again” Trump. Ironically, Mr Biden’s run has been revived by the blacks, which just goes to show that their votes matter, maybe more then black lives. The shift in Mr Biden’s fortunes after South Carolina's breakthrough three days before Super Tuesday would suit the Democratic Party, which believes it still controls who will be the candidate, unlike influential Republicans who couldn’t stop Mr Trump’s nomination four years ago. While it may appear Mr Trump has brought back the ghosts of segregation and racial fears, Mr Biden seems to offer change as he builds a colourful black, white, brown, suburban and working class coalition.