President Joe Biden encountered an unexpected setback in the American Samoa Democratic caucuses, where he lost to a relatively obscure challenger named Jason Palmer. Despite Biden’s overall success on Super Tuesday, this defeat marks his first loss in the 2024 Democratic primary and caucus season. According to reports from the Associated Press, out of the 91 votes cast in the caucuses, Biden secured 40 votes while Palmer emerged victorious with 51 votes, earning him four delegates to the Democratic National Convention.
Island Democrats’ History of Defiance
American Samoa Democrats have a history of diverging from the mainstream candidate. In the 2020 elections, billionaire Michael Bloomberg experienced a similar outcome, securing victory only in American Samoa despite substantial campaign spending. This tendency of low-turnout caucuses to produce unexpected results poses a challenge for the Democratic Party’s leadership.
Impact on Biden’s Campaign
While Biden’s loss in the American Samoa caucuses does not significantly alter his prospects, it underscores the ongoing challenge posed by low-turnout events in the primary season. Despite this setback, Biden managed to secure a victory in the Iowa caucuses on Tuesday night. This win holds particular significance as Biden had previously faced defeats in Iowa during the 2008 and 2020 elections, highlighting a shift in his electoral fortunes.
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