Notable Quote of the Day

“Then came South Carolina.

Biden's initial struggles were part of Bloomberg's rationale for getting into the race in the first place. That strategy looked smart as Biden faltered through the first contests in Iowa and New Hampshire and Nevada. But when the former vice president ran away with the South Carolina primary, it set off a chain of events that ultimately left Bloomberg with no real path to the nomination.

Within 48 hours of his resounding win, money and endorsements poured into the Biden campaign. And the field suddenly cleared. Pete Buttigieg and Amy Klobuchar dropped out and threw their support his way in an Avengers-like pair of events in Dallas.

In the eyes of multiple top Bloomberg aides, that was the turning point. A resurgent Biden undercut their candidate's entire rationale for entering the race.”

– Dan Merica, CNN

Democrats

• The Democratic National Committee (DNC) is expected to raise the delegate threshold for the March 15 debate, although specific criteria have not yet been released. “We have two more debates—of course the threshold will go up. By the time we have the March debate, almost 2,000 delegates will be allocated. The threshold will reflect where we are in the race, as it always has,” DNC communications director Xochitl Hinojosa said.

• Joe Biden was endorsed by Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (Ariz.) and Reps. Ted Deutch (Fla.), Kathleen Rice (N.Y.), Kathy Castor (Fla.), Lois Frankel (Fla.), Andy Kim (N.J.), Robin Kelly (Ill.), Mike Quigley (Ill.), and Bill Foster (Ill.) on Wednesday.

• Biden issued a $125 billion plan to address the opioid crisis, which includes expanding treatment services and raising taxes on pharmaceutical company profits.

• Michael Bloomberg ended his presidential campaign on Wednesday and endorsed Biden. He said in a statement, “I’ve always believed that defeating Donald Trump starts with uniting behind the candidate with the best shot to do it. After yesterday’s vote, it is clear that candidate is my friend and a great American, Joe Biden.”

• A federal judge dismissed Tulsi Gabbard’s free speech infringement lawsuit against Google on Wednesday.

• Bernie Sanders launched a new ad featuring clips of former President Barack Obama praising Sanders. Sanders will campaign in Jackson, Mississippi, on Friday.

• Elizabeth Warren is “talking to her team to assess the path forward” after not placing in the top two in any Super Tuesday state, Reuters reported on Wednesday. She is scheduled to hold a town hall in Lansing, Michigan, on Friday.

Republicans

• Donald Trump spoke at the Latino Coalition Legislative Summit on Wednesday, where he discussed the border wall, tax policy, and trade.

• A Bill Weld campaign spokesperson said Weld would continue to campaign after his Super Tuesday loss to “provide that credible alternative to Donald Trump many voters are seeking.”

Flashback: March 5, 2016

Bernie Sanders won primaries in Kansas and Nebraska, and Hillary Clinton won in Louisiana. In the Republican primary, Donald Trump won Kentucky and Louisiana and Ted Cruz won Kansas and Maine.