Former Vice President Joe Biden was in Oakland Tuesday morning, hoping to pick up last-minute votes in the delegate-rich state of California.
From the moment the Democratic presidential candidate stepped out of his car and headed into Buttercup diner, he was surrounded by voters hoping to snap a selfie and chat with him.
Ben Shahvar of Pleasant Hill said he was an undecided voter until he met Biden in person.
"He is a wonderful human being and a very nice person and he's got a lot of warmth," Shahvar said. "It was just fantastic to meet him. Yeah, he won us over."
As Biden worked the room, he spent time talking with customers about the changes he'll pursue if elected.
"We chatted about how he's going to come in and help take out what's kind of currently in the existing government and how he can help the country get back on its feet again," Stephanie Blitstein of San Francisco said.
Across town, volunteers beat a different drum as they encouraged people to vote for Bernie Sanders.
"I support Bernie Sanders because he stands with us on the issues that my generation cares about," campaign volunteer Emily Bates. "I'm with the Sunrise Movement and we care about climate change because we know that climate change is the number one issue that affects our generation and all generations to come."
On Monday night, Biden picked up key endorsements from rivals who dropped out of the race: Pete Buttigieg and Amy Klobuchar.
His presence in Oakland is a sign of his strategy highlighting the importance of the Golden State during Super Tuesday.
