'Way to go': Joe Biden hailed as he wins New Hampshire Democratic primary despite NOT being on the ballot

MANCHESTER, NEW HAMPSHIRE: President Joe Biden emerged victorious in the New Hampshire primary election on Tuesday, January 23, despite the fact that his name was not included on the ballot.

The Associated Press declared Biden the winner shortly after polls closed at 8 pm.

The New Hampshire Democrats initiated a write-in campaign to secure the Commander-in-Chief's victory after the Democratic National Committee, with Biden's approval, reorganized this year's Democratic primaries, to relocate the Granite State's first-in-the-nation primary election to a more diverse South Carolina.

New Hampshire law, along with the state's Republican-led government, prevented the primary date from being moved, resulting in Democrats needing to go to the polls on Tuesday.

South Carolina is scheduled to hold the first official Democratic primary on February 3.

The 81-year-old incumbent president's victory has established his significant political strength within the Democratic party, and the results of the New Hampshire primary should put to bed any doubts regarding his electability among Democratic voters.

Biden said in a statement, “I want to thank all those who wrote my name in this evening in New Hampshire. It was a historic demonstration of commitment to our democratic process.”

“And my message to the country is the stakes could not be higher. Our Democracy. Our personal freedoms - from the right to choose to the right to vote. Our economy - which has seen the strongest recovery in the world since COVID. All are at stake,” he stated. 

How did Biden’s opponents fare in the New Hampshire primary?

The symbolic significance of the Democratic primary election in New Hampshire outweighs its practical impact.

Due to the relocation, the delegates from New Hampshire will not be seated at the Democratic National Convention in August, and the results will not contribute to Joe Biden's official nomination, according to NPR.

However, this provided an opportunity for two other Democratic candidates whose names were actually on the ballot - US Representative Dean Phillips from Minnesota and self-help author Marianne Williamson - to mount a long-shot challenge against the incumbent president.

Currently, the vote count shows that Joe Biden has garnered approximately 68.2% of the vote, with 87% of the write-in ballots counted, while Dean Phillips received around 20% of the votes and Williamson secured a distant third with 4.9% of the votes.

Rep Dean Phillips had declared his intention to continue with his campaign in the days leading up to the New Hampshire primary.

The congressman from Minnesota is one of the wealthiest members of Congress, having previously served as the president and CEO of his family's liquor company, and later, Talenti Gelato, per a report by the DailyMail.

He has argued that Joe Biden is vulnerable to defeat by the anticipated Republican nominee, Donald Trump, and is weak and unelectable.

At the Phillips' watch party held at the Millyard Museum in Manchester, the Democratic congressman extended his congratulations to Joe Biden.

However, he expressed that the victory was not achieved in a manner befitting that of a strong incumbent president.

The representative from Minnesota's 3rd congressional district noted to his supporters that his bid for the presidency was only ten weeks.

He proudly shared that his campaign was able to achieve a 20 percent victory despite being unknown to the public just weeks ago.

“And we just won 20 percent tonight and nobody knew who we were 10 weeks ago,” Phillips said. “So I've gotta say, man, if we had 20 weeks, watch the heck out.”

He continued, “Joe Biden is a good man. He is a fine man. Yes, he is, everybody, he's our president. But I've gotta tell you, everyone, he cannot win. The polls are saying he cannot win, his approval numbers are saying he can't win.”

Phillips highlighted the significance of his polling, stating, “‘An unknown congressman from Minnesota' was just able to get 21 percent. So, I'm here to say are you ready to keep this baby going?” he asked his base to rapturous applause. 

Marianne Williamson, who faced off against Biden and other Democrats in the 2020 election, declared in March that she will run for president once again.

“I am not naïve about the forces which have no intention to let anyone into this conversation who does not align with their predetermined agenda,” the self-help guru said at the time. 

Late on Tuesday night, the campaign manager of Williamson announced his resignation, casting doubt on the future of her campaign.

Phillips, who has been serving in Congress since 2017, rapidly surpassed Williamson in the Granite State polling.

Considering Trump's GOP presidential nomination appears to be inevitable, Biden's campaign has announced that two of the President's top advisers, Mike Donilon and Jen O'Malley Dillon, will be leaving the White House to join his re-election campaign next month, according to Reuters.

This move was made in response to criticism from some Democrats, who felt that the incumbent President’s campaign needed a boost ahead of the November general elections.

Internet hails Joe Biden as he emerges triumphant in New Hampshire

People on X gave plaudits to the 81-year-old incumbent president for proving doubters wrong after his crucial win in the Granite State primaries.

One X user remarked, "Congratulations to my president."

Another wrote, "Biden can win without being on the ballot! Let’s see if Trump can. #14thAmendment"

Someone else said, "Way to go Joe!"

One user quipped: "Dean who?"

Another remarked, "Congrats, Mr. President."

Someone else tweeted, "Que Trumps PTSD."

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.