Would Bernie Sanders have won the 2020 election if he became the Democratic candidate instead of Biden?
This fact-check may be outdated. Consider refreshing it to get the most current information.
Was this fact-check helpful?
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].