King Day in SC drawing Democratic presidential hopefuls

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Associated Press


Meg Kinnard, Associated Press
Updated 1:02 am CST, Monday, January 20, 2020

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — In the closing days before the first votes are cast in the Democratic presidential contest, the party's leading hopefuls are splitting their time between the critical early-voting states South Carolina and Iowa at events celebrating Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

While Iowa and New Hampshire Democrats vote first for their nominee, South Carolina's first-in-the-South primary is a crucial proving ground for a candidate's mettle with black voters. The state's showcase holiday celebration, Columbia's King Day at the Dome, is a notable and highly visible event for a Democratic politician. The festivities are marked by a march through the streets of downtown Columbia and a rally at the Statehouse.

All the top-tier candidates — former Vice President Joe Biden, former South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg, California businessman Tom Steyer, and Sens. Amy Klobuchar, Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren — plan to start Monday with prayer services around Columbia. Joining them in the capital are Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard and former Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick.

King Day at the Dome began in 2000 as a reaction to a state lawmakers' decision that year to keep the Confederate battle flag flying from the Statehouse's copper-covered cupola, a place of prominence that drew opposition. Tens of thousands marched through Columbia’s downtown from the prayer service to the Statehouse.

Read more: https://www.chron.com/news/us/article/King-Day-in-SC-drawing-Democratic-presidential-14988793.php

[Bayard]

1. Kind of sad

That our candidates are there just for show in an election year....