Biden Surges On Super Tuesday, Transforming Democratic Primary Into 2-Man Race

Momentum and timing matter in politics — and both helped former Vice President Joe Biden mount a comeback from almost-left-for-dead to being the alternative to Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, who went into Super Tuesday with front-runner status after significant wins in early states.

The Democratic presidential race at one point had almost two dozen candidates, but now it's essentially a contest between two men representing dueling ideological poles of the party.

Sanders has energized the progressive wing with promises to transform the party and dramatically expand the government's role.

Biden's pledge to fight for the "soul of America" has rallied centrists around him, largely focused on the question of electability against President Trump and Biden's broader ability to help congressional candidates down-ballot in 2020.

"For those who have been knocked down, counted out, left behind — this is your campaign," Biden said to supporters in Los Angeles late Tuesday evening.