Daily Skimm: Super Tuesday, Israel's Elections, and Going Out with a Gavel Bang

GOIN' UP ON A TUESDAY

The Story

Today, voters in 14 states get to weigh in on their favorite presidential candidates.

What a day.

It is. Super Tuesday accounts for about a third of all delegates up for a vote in the Democratic race (1,357 delegates to be exact). The biggest prizes are in California and Texas, which have the most delegates up for grabs. On the GOP side, President Trump is expected to keep breezing through. And on the Dem side, eyes are on front-runner Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) to see if he'll maintain his lead.

Who's he up against?

Former VP Joe Biden, who's fresh off a big win in South Carolina. Also, Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) who came in third place in Iowa. There's also former NYC Mayor Mike Bloomberg, who will appear on primary ballots for the first time. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI) is also still in it to win it.

I thought there were more...

There were. Yesterday, Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) – who finished third in New Hampshire – dropped out, one day after former South Bend, IN Mayor Pete Buttigieg also threw in the towel. Both candidates – plus former Texas Rep. Beto O'Rourke – popped into Dallas to say they're all in on Biden now. The move is seen as moderates rallying together in a bid to stop Sanders from cinching the nomination.

Wait a minute. What happens to Klobuchar and Buttigieg's delegates?

In most cases, they're free agents come the DNC in July – and can vote for whoever they want. As for early and absentee voters who picked them already, they're stuck: there's no do-over to choose another candidate. Remember: voters today could still see Klobuchar and Buttigieg's names up for a vote. Keep in mind they're no longer in the running.

theSkimm

Super Tuesday is the single biggest day of voting in the primary calendar. With so many delegates at stake, time is running out for candidates who aren't Sanders to show they have a path to the Democratic nomination.

AND ALSO...THIS

What has people's attention…

Nashville. Early this morning, at least two tornadoes tore through Tennessee, including one in Nashville that killed at least two people and injured several others. Police have called a search and rescue team to the scene and an emergency shelter has been set up. According to reports, about 40 structures have collapsed and tens of thousands of residents are without power. Tennessee voters are expected to hit the polls today as part of Super Tuesday – and it's not clear if polling stations in or near Nashville have been damaged or if voting there will be affected.

COVID-19. Yesterday, four more coronavirus deaths were reported in Washington state, raising the US death toll from two to six. Four of the six victims have been linked to a nursing home near Seattle and all six deaths were in Washington (out of 100 confirmed US cases). Now, officials in the Seattle area plan to establish isolation centers for those infected. Globally, COVID-19 has killed more than 3,000 people and infected more than 90,000.

Who's back at it again...

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Yesterday, Israeli voters turned out in the highest numbers since 1999 for the country's third parliamentary election in less than a year. Exit polls show Netanyahu's party ahead of his rival's – former army chief Benny Gantz. But polls showed Netanyahu short of the 61 seats needed for a majority coalition. Meaning, he'll need to build a coalition gov...something he's failed to do twice this year. TBD if a potential political gridlock could mean a fourth election.

Who's no longer playing "Hardball"...

Chris Matthews. Yesterday, the MSNBC host announced he's retiring after over 20 years on "Hardball." The news comes amid mounting criticism for Matthews' comments on the show, including comparing Sen. Bernie Sanders' (I-VT) Nevada win to the Nazis invading France, his approach to an interview with Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), and his alleged comments to journalist Laura Bassett about her appearance. Matthews said his retirement comes after "conversations" with network executives, adding that he isn't leaving "for a lack of interest in politics."

Who people are remembering…

James Lipton. Yesterday, the longtime host of "Inside the Actors Studio" passed away at age 93 after a battle with bladder cancer. Lipton received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Daytime Emmys. And was known for interviewing countless celebrities, including Barbra Streisand, Meryl Streep, and Robin Williams. Lipton also authored several books and worked on various Broadway productions. His wife, Kedakai Turner, said he would want to be remembered as someone who "loved what he did and had tremendous respect for all the people he worked with."

Jack Welch. Earlier this week, General Electric's former CEO passed away at age 84 due to renal failure. Welch led GE for two decades and grew its market value from $14 billion to $410 billion during his tenure. Fortune magazine dubbed him "manager of the century" in 1999, and he was nicknamed "Neutron Jack" for eliminating tens of thousands of jobs – a nickname Welch admitted he hated. President Trump offered his condolences via Twitter, saying "there was no corporate leader like 'neutron' Jack."

Who's saying 'case closed' after 25 years...

Judge Judy.