Buttigieg, Klobuchar lead Democrats in rallying behind Biden

In an unprecedented wave of support just before a 14 state primaries on Super Tuesday, Democrats from around the nation moved to consolidate their support for former Vice President Joe Biden on Monday, as two primary opponents of Biden joined him in Texas to publicly endorse his campaign on the eve of Super Tuesday.

"I am delighted to support and endorse Joe Biden for President," said Pete Buttigieg, who gave up his campaign on Sunday night.

"I am encouraging everybody who was part of my campaign to join me," Buttigieg said to cheers.

Later at a Biden rally, Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) joined the Vice President to give him a ringing endorsement, just hours after she had decided to drop out of the 2020 race.

"I cannot think of a better way to end my campaign than by joining his," Klobuchar said.

As Klobuchar and Buttigieg endorsed Biden, a number of current and former Democratic Party elected officials were jumping on the Biden bandwagon, in a show of support usually only seen as a candidate is about to clinch a party's nomination.

"Oklahoma Leaders Endorse Joe Biden" read one of a flurry of emails through the day on Monday from the Biden campaign, celebrating the unprecedented show of support for someone whose campaign seemed to be on life support just two weeks ago.

"Democrats have to pick a winner who can heal the discord and build a more just and inclusive future," said Rep. Marcia Fudge (D-OH). "I believe in Joe's policies; and I believe in his character and his humanity."

Among those getting on board was former Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, who had stayed on the sidelines during the Nevada Caucuses just two weeks ago.

"Democrats need a candidate who can assemble the largest, most diverse coalition possible to defeat Trump and lead our country following the trauma of Trump’s presidency," Reid said. "That candidate is Joe Biden."

While Biden's team flooded the zone with endorsements, there were few for Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren or Michael Bloomberg on the day before Super Tuesday.

Sanders reverted to a familiar attack line on Biden, again criticizing Biden for his vote in favor of U.S. military action against Iraq under President George W. Bush.

"I do not believe we will defeat Donald Trump with a candidate like Joe Biden who supported the Iraq War," Sanders tweeted.

At a rally in Minnesota, Sanders noted the decision of both Klobuchar and Buttigieg to leave the race, and appealed to their supporters to join his campaign.

"To all of Amy and Pete's millions of supporters, the door is open - come on in!" Sanders said to cheers.

All sides were trying to figure out how the new lineup in the Democratic race would shake out on Tuesday, as Democrats award delegates by both statewide results, and by individual Congressional districts - with 15 percent needed to qualify for delegates.

But it wasn't just Democrats who might be listening.

"There are a lot of affluent, well-educated, news-attuned, and in some instances lapsed Republican voters in Northern Virginia, Raleigh, Charlotte, Dallas, Houston, and other places who are getting a blaring message right now," wrote political analyst Kyle Kondik on Twitter, that being, “Vote Biden."

"I can't tell you how much I appreciate Pete's endorsement," Biden said in a separate event with just Biden and Buttigieg.

That took place just before the final Biden rally on the eve of Super Tuesday, which drew one of his largest crowds of the 2020 race in Dallas.

Biden not only won the endorsement of Buttigieg and Klobuchar, but Beto O'Rourke - who ran for President as well - came out at the end of the rally to offer his support as well.

"Tomorrow, March 3, 2020, I will be casting my ballot for Joe Biden," O'Rourke said to cheers.

The Texas Democrat drew laughs as he promised to take Biden to a local fast food spot - and sure enough, about a half hour later, there was a group of very surprised people at the local Whataburger.

Beto and Biden shook hands and posed for photos with some of those in the restaurant - as O'Rourke's people live streamed the visit - capping an unprecedented day as Democrats of all stripes rallied to Biden's side.