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Clinton wins South Carolina Democratic primary – campaign live Clinton defeats Sanders in South Carolina Democratic primary – campaign live
(35 minutes later)
12.38am GMT
00:38
The moment the result was called…
12.32am GMT
00:32
Regarding Clinton’s huge, 84%-16% win among African American voters (according to exit polls), here’s what Jane Sanders, Bernie Sanders’ wife, told the Guardian on the campaign plane earlier:
I think we’re getting a lot better [at reaching African Americans voters], it’s just that they didn’t know us. They didn’t know us in the south generally.
That was filed by Washington bureau chief Dan Roberts. He’s now on that plane again, somewhere between Texas and Minnesota.
Lauren Gambino is at the Clinton victory party in South Carolina. She writes:
Clinton worked hard in the state, dedicating much of the past week to campaigning in churches, community halls and college campuses. She was joined by a major figure in the civil rights movement, Congressman James Clyburn, who famously refused to endorse a candidate in 2008, and other local politicians.
The mothers of Trayvon Martin, Eric Garner and other black men killed by police officers also campaigned for her in the state. At almost every event, she spoke forcefully about the women’s struggle.
Dan and Lauren’s full report is here:
Related: Hillary Clinton defeats Bernie Sanders to win South Carolina primary
Updated
at 12.33am GMT
12.27am GMT
00:27
More from AP on those South Carolina exit polls, about where Clinton won against Sanders:
Black voters powered Clinton to victory, with eight in 10 voting for her. The former secretary of state also won most women and voters aged 30 and older, according to early exit polls.
12.25am GMT
00:25
Meanwhile, in Trumpland… or whatever the online version of Trumpland is…
Trump has an endorsements page on his website now. It features Sarah Palin's name misspelled and one other person pic.twitter.com/SLUm1BYaTL
Marco Rubio may have a view to share on this latest spelling mishap for the Trump campaign. As the Republican candidates hurl insults at each other, the Florida senator has taken to saying Donald Trump’s tweets may be being typed out by illegal immigrants. It’s not Wildean repartee, is it, but it’s a start…
12.22am GMT
00:22
On Clinton’s appeal to black voters in South Carolina, the Associated Press says exit polls indicated eight in 10 black voters voted her way state-wide, or 84% to 16% for Sanders. Which ever way you look at that, that’s resounding.
12.17am GMT
00:17
Lauren Gambino
Lauren sends video of the moment AP called the result, from inside Clinton HQ:
Updated
at 12.17am GMT
12.15am GMT
00:15
Clinton tweets
…with her own thumbs, like so:
To South Carolina, to the volunteers at the heart of our campaign, to the supporters who power it: thank you. -H pic.twitter.com/JFTUZ2yBxf
12.14am GMT
00:14
Sanders responds
Bernie Sanders, currently in the air on his way from Texas to Minnesota, has issued a statement on the result in South Carolina. Despite the defeat, he says: “This campaign is just beginning”.
Here it is in full:
I congratulate Secretary Clinton on her victory in South Carolina.
I am very proud of the campaign we ran. I am grateful for the grassroots supporters who took on the political establishment and stood up for working families. I appreciate the many friendships that Jane and I have forged with people across South Carolina, where I was all but unknown when this campaign began 10 months ago. I will always be especially thankful for the courageous support of state representatives Terry Alexander, Justin Bamberg, Joe Neal, Wendell Gilliard, Cesar McKnight, Robert Williams and former Democratic Party chairman Dick Harpootlian.
Let me be clear on one thing tonight. This campaign is just beginning. We won a decisive victory in New Hampshire. She won a decisive victory in South Carolina. Now it’s on to Super Tuesday. In just three days, Democrats in 11 states will pick 10 times more pledged delegates on one day than were selected in the four early states so far in this campaign. Our grassroots political revolution is growing state by state, and we won’t stop now.
When we come together, and don’t let people like Donald Trump try to divide us, we can create an economy that works for all of us and not just the top 1%.
12.08am GMT
00:08
Lauren Gambino and Dan Roberts report on Clinton’s victory…
Related: Hillary Clinton defeats Bernie Sanders to win South Carolina primary
12.06am GMT
00:06
Lauren Gambino
Lauren is in the room for the official Hillary Clinton victory party, in Columbia, South Carolina. She writes:
There was a delay in the room so the crowd only just learned she won the primary here. They counted from five to the close of polls at 7pm and then erupted in to applause, chanting “Hillary, Hillary!”
12.01am GMT12.01am GMT
00:0100:01
AP calls the win for ClintonAP calls the win for Clinton
It’s here…It’s here…
BREAKING: Hillary Clinton wins the Democratic primary in South Carolina. @AP race call at 7:00 p.m. EST. #Election2016 #APracecallBREAKING: Hillary Clinton wins the Democratic primary in South Carolina. @AP race call at 7:00 p.m. EST. #Election2016 #APracecall
11.58pm GMT11.58pm GMT
23:5823:58
We’re closing in on the polls closing in South Carolina now, although as that Clinton campaign tweet said, those on line at 7pm will still get to vote.We’re closing in on the polls closing in South Carolina now, although as that Clinton campaign tweet said, those on line at 7pm will still get to vote.
Dan Roberts lets us know from Dallas, Texas, meanwhile, that Bernie Sanders is “wheels up” and on his way to Rochester, Minnesota.Dan Roberts lets us know from Dallas, Texas, meanwhile, that Bernie Sanders is “wheels up” and on his way to Rochester, Minnesota.
UpdatedUpdated
at 11.59pm GMTat 11.59pm GMT
11.47pm GMT11.47pm GMT
23:4723:47
Back on South Carolina, the Associated Press tweets…Back on South Carolina, the Associated Press tweets…
The Latest: Early exit polls in the South Carolina Democratic primary contest suggest about 6 in 10 voters are black.The Latest: Early exit polls in the South Carolina Democratic primary contest suggest about 6 in 10 voters are black.
Sanders and Clinton’s contrasting appeal to African American voters have been at the heart of the South Carolina campaign, even leading to a rather undignified spat over the extent of Sanders’ involvement in the civil rights movement of the 1960s.Sanders and Clinton’s contrasting appeal to African American voters have been at the heart of the South Carolina campaign, even leading to a rather undignified spat over the extent of Sanders’ involvement in the civil rights movement of the 1960s.
Related: Footage shows a young Bernie Sanders arrested during civil rights protestRelated: Footage shows a young Bernie Sanders arrested during civil rights protest
It’s generally held that Clinton will do much better with black voters today, and thus win the contest comfortably.It’s generally held that Clinton will do much better with black voters today, and thus win the contest comfortably.
Here’s a tweet from the Clinton campaign in South Carolina…Here’s a tweet from the Clinton campaign in South Carolina…
If you're in line by 7pm, you can vote. Do not leave! Go to https://t.co/6l9Jgk1j5J to find your polling place. pic.twitter.com/KpnOs0FHzxIf you're in line by 7pm, you can vote. Do not leave! Go to https://t.co/6l9Jgk1j5J to find your polling place. pic.twitter.com/KpnOs0FHzx
11.35pm GMT11.35pm GMT
23:3523:35
Massachusetts is a Super Tuesday state and there is a new poll out about it. In that poll, from Suffolk University and concerning the Republican field, Donald Trump leads Marco Rubio by a huge – yuge – 23 points, 43% to 20%. John Kasich is third with 17%, ahead of Ted Cruz, with 9%, and Ben Carson with his increasingly customary 4%.Massachusetts is a Super Tuesday state and there is a new poll out about it. In that poll, from Suffolk University and concerning the Republican field, Donald Trump leads Marco Rubio by a huge – yuge – 23 points, 43% to 20%. John Kasich is third with 17%, ahead of Ted Cruz, with 9%, and Ben Carson with his increasingly customary 4%.
Nick Gass of Politico points out the poll’s interesting findings on favourability:Nick Gass of Politico points out the poll’s interesting findings on favourability:
Kasich is the best-liked candidate in Massachusetts, however, with a net positive rating of +39 points (60% favorable to 21% unfavorable), while Trump’s net favorability is at +22 points (56% to 34%) and Rubio’s is at +19 points (51% to 32%). Cruz’s favorability is underwater, at -11 points (37% favorable to 48% unfavorable).Kasich is the best-liked candidate in Massachusetts, however, with a net positive rating of +39 points (60% favorable to 21% unfavorable), while Trump’s net favorability is at +22 points (56% to 34%) and Rubio’s is at +19 points (51% to 32%). Cruz’s favorability is underwater, at -11 points (37% favorable to 48% unfavorable).
According to the New York Times piece about the behind-the-scenes workings I cited earlier, Kasich’s plan is to win his own state, Ohio, collect the second-most delegates around the country, then get to the convention and work like crazy to wrest the nomination away from Trump. This, the piece says, is why he has not heeded calls to drop out, in order that Rubio might be able to concentrate on bringing down Trump.According to the New York Times piece about the behind-the-scenes workings I cited earlier, Kasich’s plan is to win his own state, Ohio, collect the second-most delegates around the country, then get to the convention and work like crazy to wrest the nomination away from Trump. This, the piece says, is why he has not heeded calls to drop out, in order that Rubio might be able to concentrate on bringing down Trump.
UpdatedUpdated
at 11.39pm GMTat 11.39pm GMT
11.25pm GMT
23:25
Here’s Nate Silver again, polling expert de nos four-years-since-he-called-the-2012 -election-right. Silver, he say he suspects Clinton may not win by quite so much as 38 points, but will still, obviously, win…
"Polls-plus" forecast is even more aggressive, Clinton +38. Not sure I buy it but exit poll teasers good for her. https://t.co/7puioakcXa
11.18pm GMT
23:18
Lauren Gambino
Meanwhile, back on the Democratic side of things, Lauren is in Columbia and she has been talking to voters…
Name: Shakeena Clark Residence: Colombia, SCAge: 31Job: 1st-grade teacherVoted for: Bernie Sanders
“I like Bernie’s platform a whole lot more. It was between him and Hillary but he just stands for more what I stand for.”
Unlike many voters I spoke to, Clark said his civil rights activism impressed her. “I like that he marched on Washington with Martin Luther King. That shows he’s with us.”
Clark said she was really turned off by the way Clinton handled the furore over her use of a private email server while secretary of state.
“It was so bothersome the way she brushed it off,” she said. “Like, what else can’t you tell us?”
Clark said she’s been really disappointed with the rhetoric coming from Republicans.
“It’s kind of scary to see that people actually have those views from years ago and that people actually agree with some of the things that Donald Trump is saying,” she said. “To see him actually win primaries, to win South Carolina…”
She sighed and trailed off.
“It’s heartbreaking, actually.”
11.09pm GMT
23:09
Ben Jacobs
Our intrepid political reporter is with Ben Carson in Houston. Here’s Ben’s first-draft-of-history (Twitter, to ordinary people) reporting of what the good doctor is saying:
Carson: There are a lot of shysters. There have been snake oil salesmen as long as this country has been in existence.
Questioner for Carson expresses concern that with President Trump "Air Force One will be a bunch supermodels on jets"
Ben Carson says he doesn't think Republicans will nominate Trump: "I do not believe that we are quite that dense"
Carson says nominating Trump is a mistake: "If we are to continue in the vein were are going in right now we'll make very very bad mistake"
11.02pm GMT
23:02
Marco Rubio, meanwhile, has done what he said he would do in Thursday’s debate, and released his tax returns for the last five years. They are available for your perusal – perhaps with a brandy, by a roaring fire, with loved ones gathered about – here.
In 2012, Rubio’s most lucrative year thanks to royalties collected on two books, he paid 31% tax.
Actually, the senator has released only the first two pages of each 1040 form, not the full deal as released – eventually – by Mitt Romney in 2012 and by Hillary Clinton last year. (Romney, memorably, turned out to have paid a bit less than 31% on his billions.)
A campaign spokesman, meanwhile, told the Associated Press:
We’re putting these out today to put pressure on Trump and the other candidates to release theirs. To the extent there are additional questions about Marco, we won’t rule out providing more information in the future.
“To the extent that there are additional questions” sounds like a bit of a clumsy phrasing to me. Does that mean the campaign expects more questions? Is saying there will be? An “if” might not have gone amiss, perhaps.
Donald Trump, of course, has not released his tax returns either, as he says he is being audited. The whole thing boiled up in Thursday’s debate after Romney said Trump should release his tax returns, prompting Rubio and Ted Cruz to attack while proclaiming their own righteousness on the matter.
Cruz, by the by, has not yet released his tax records, despite saying he would do by Friday.
Here’s the full AP take on the story…
Related: Marco Rubio releases tax returns showing windfalls from book deals
And here’s a perceptive tweet on the matter:
First thing I noticed: Rubio did not check the box for $3 to go to public financing of presidential elections
Updated
at 11.07pm GMT
10.45pm GMT
22:45
I probably shouldn’t point to other newspapers’ coverage too often on here, obviously, but the New York Times today has a tremendous and fascinating piece on the behind-the-scenes machinations going on in Republican circles as a Donald Trump nomination looms ever larger:
At least two campaigns have drafted plans to overtake Mr Trump in a brokered convention, and the Senate majority leader, Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, has laid out a plan that would have lawmakers break with Mr Trump explicitly in a general election.
Despite such deliciously House of Cards-tinged intrigue, the main takeaways are that no-one in those Republican circles really has much of a clue how to stop Trump without destroying the party, and Chris Christie’s endorsement of him on Friday has only made things worse…
10.38pm GMT
22:38
Remember that photo from Dan Roberts of the turnout for Bernie Sanders in Dallas this evening, a couple of posts ago? You know, the usual: arena full-to-bursting, chants of “Turn Texas Blue”, probably some Woody Guthrie somewhere.
Well, this was the scene when Dan went to a Sanders rally in Columbia, South Carolina on Friday night:
Spot the difference.
10.31pm GMT
22:31
Dan Roberts
Our Washington bureau chief is with Bernie Sanders in Texas, from where he filed this dispatch and video earlier. Contains added Woody Guthrie…
Despite leaving South Carolina with his tail between his legs this morning, Bernie Sanders quickly picked up the groove again in at a lunchtime rally in Austin.
This is still peak Bernie territory and the campaign estimates 10,000 people came to see him, a number that was hard to verify because so many were still queuing to get in when then speech started.
Radio commentator and warm-up act Jim Hightower reminded the crowd that this wasn’t just Austin, this was south Austin, where “we’re here because we’re not all there”.
Nonetheless, the sunshine and socialism was a much-needed tonic for the campaign which has low expectations in most of the south but is hopeful of running Clinton closer than pundits expect in Texas.
The rally finished with one of Bernie’s many musical staples, a rendition of Woody Guthrie’s folk classic This Land is Your Land, aided and abetted in this case by a duo called Folk Uke – featuring Amy Nelson, daughter of Willie Nelson, and Cathy Guthrie, granddaughter of Woody Guthrie.
10.29pm GMT
22:29
Here, meanwhile, is what polling guru/ace/wizard/egghead/boffin/genius Nate Silver, over at fivethirtyeight.com, says about tonight’s result, which we’re expecting at 7pm ET or shortly thereafter:
According to our final polls-only forecast, Hillary Clinton has a greater than 99% chance of winning the South Carolina primary.
So there’s that.
10.24pm GMT
22:24
Dan Roberts, our Washington bureau chief, is with Bernie Sanders in Dallas, which as I’ve pointed out already is, pointedly, not in South Carolina. Here’s the scene a short while ago:
10.09pm GMT
22:09
Good evening, and welcome to our continuing live-wire coverage of the presidential election, which tonight has landed in the Palmetto State, South Carolina, for the Democratic primary.
Hillary Clinton is expected to win it, and handily. Don’t believe me? Ask Bernie Sanders, who flew out to Texas earlier on election day, there to concentrate on voters who will go to the polls on Super Tuesday.
Dan Roberts was on the plane with him, while Lauren Gambino is with Clinton. We’ll have updates from them, on a night which should emphasise the lasting hold the Clinton machine has on the south, and African American voters in particular. Megan Carpentier is attending a Clinton watch party in Minnesota, another Super Tuesday state.
Adam Gabbatt, meanwhile, is at a Donald Trump rally in Memphis, Tennessee. There may or may not be the usual unusual fireworks to come from there. Perhaps the candidate will address his latest endorsement, which came today from la belle France…
Related: Jean-Marie Le Pen endorses Trump days after ex-KKK leader urges support
…and when you’ve caught your breath from that, here’s some more pre-primary reading:
Updated
at 10.15pm GMT