Fact check: Would Bernie Sanders have won the 2020 election if he became the Democratic candidate instead of Biden?

1. Summary of the results

The question of whether Bernie Sanders would have won the 2020 election if he became the Democratic candidate instead of Biden is a complex one, with various analyses providing mixed opinions ^[1]. Some sources highlight Sanders' underperformance in the 2020 Democratic primaries, suggesting he was unlikely to secure the nomination or win the general election against Trump ^[2]. However, other analyses note that head-to-head polls showed a close race with Trump, indicating that Sanders could have potentially won the election ^[1]. Additionally, some sources discuss the preferences of Democratic voters, showing that Biden had a double-digit lead over Sanders for the Democratic presidential nomination ^[3], while others indicate that Sanders and Biden were statistically tied at the top of the Democratic field ^[4]. Overall, the analyses do not provide a definitive answer to the question, with some sources suggesting that Sanders' electability was a concern ^[1], while others highlight his potential to appeal to certain voter blocs ^[5].

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

A key piece of missing context is the lack of direct evidence on how Sanders would have performed in the general election against Trump ^[6]. Many sources focus on the primary results and Sanders' campaign proposals, but do not provide a clear answer to the question ^{[7] [6]}. Additionally, some analyses highlight the importance of expanding the voter base for Sanders to have won the election ^[1], but do not provide concrete evidence on how he would have achieved this. Alternative viewpoints include the possibility that Sanders' socialist label could have been a liability in the general election ^[5], while others argue that his progressive policies could have appealed to certain voter blocs ^[5]. Furthermore, the sources do not provide a detailed analysis of the electoral college map and how Sanders would have performed in key swing states ^[2].

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original statement assumes that Sanders' nomination would have been a viable alternative to Biden's, but some sources suggest that Sanders was unlikely to secure the nomination due to his underperformance in the primaries ^[2]. Additionally, the statement implies that Sanders' victory in the general election was a possibility, but many sources highlight concerns about his electability ^{[1] [5]}. The statement may benefit Sanders' supporters, who may argue that he would have won the election if given the chance ^[1]. On the other hand, Biden's supporters may argue that Biden's nomination was the best chance for Democrats to win the election, citing his double-digit lead over Sanders in the primaries ^[3]. Overall, the original statement lacks concrete evidence to support its claim, and may be influenced by partisan biases ^{[2] [3]}.