Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search
Joe BidenCongratulations to our presumptive Democratic nominee, Joe Biden!
 

thesquanderer

(12,394 posts)
Wed Mar 11, 2020, 07:19 AM Mar 2020

DU Poll: What will Sanders do? It is no longer a choice between Biden and Sanders...

...it is a choice between unity and discord, IMO. Only one candidate can conceivably come into the convention with 1991 delegates, or arguably even with a plurality. Four months of unnecessary and unproductive Democratic infighting plays into the Republicans' hands.

I think Sanders will do what's best for the Democrats and our ability to oust Trump.

What do you think he will do?


38 votes, 0 passes | Time left: Unlimited
I think Sanders will withdraw imminently.
4 (11%)
I think Sanders will want to promote his views through the March 15 debate and will withdraw by March 18.
7 (18%)
I think the DNC will force his hand and and cancel the next debate to push him to withdraw sooner.
0 (0%)
Since he has plenty of money, I think Sanders will stay in indefinitely to promote his agenda, but he will make no effort to contest Biden at the convention.
8 (21%)
I think Sanders will fight to the bitter end unless Biden gets 1991 delegates before the convention.
19 (50%)
Show usernames
Disclaimer: This is an Internet poll
If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
31 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
DU Poll: What will Sanders do? It is no longer a choice between Biden and Sanders... (Original Post) thesquanderer Mar 2020 OP
What did he do last time? Squinch Mar 2020 #1
At least one big difference this time... thesquanderer Mar 2020 #14
Sure they did. Squinch Mar 2020 #15
Seriously? thesquanderer Mar 2020 #16
Yes, seriously. In your source, there are just as many polls taken in the Spring in which Squinch Mar 2020 #24
I think you're mis-reading the info at those links. thesquanderer Mar 2020 #25
re: "You know he would have faced those same forces, right?" thesquanderer Mar 2020 #28
March 17 is AZ, OH, IL, and FL primaries. I think he wants to do the debate, but if hlthe2b Mar 2020 #2
This message was self-deleted by its author democratisphere Mar 2020 #3
Interestingly, they seem to have rejected HIM rather than his "socialist agenda" thesquanderer Mar 2020 #4
This message was self-deleted by its author democratisphere Mar 2020 #5
I hope he withdraws el_bryanto Mar 2020 #8
Good point. Sanders' policy prescriptions are broadly popular, but many voters don't believe he's sop Mar 2020 #12
I have not rejected his democratic socialist agenda. MoonchildCA Mar 2020 #11
It's not a 'socialist agenda'. It's a 'European agenda'. pampango Mar 2020 #29
this is a given, sanders will not drop out period,as long as he has people beachbumbob Mar 2020 #6
The vast majority of "sanders followers" voted for Hillary in November. thesquanderer Mar 2020 #9
Would love to see Sen. Sanders see this through to the convention Devil Child Mar 2020 #7
There is an argument to be made for giving people every chance to make their voices heard, but... thesquanderer Mar 2020 #10
What a surprise. HarlanPepper Mar 2020 #17
You seem easily surprised! Devil Child Mar 2020 #18
Not really. HarlanPepper Mar 2020 #19
Shame on you child. n/t rzemanfl Mar 2020 #27
Can you add "Dragged from the convention kicking and screaming"? n/t zackymilly Mar 2020 #13
Continue to raise tens of millions so he will have a war chest to fund primary grantcart Mar 2020 #20
I"m not sure that suspending his campaign would have any impact... thesquanderer Mar 2020 #21
Supporters would be more willing to give money if he props up the illusion grantcart Mar 2020 #23
I selected "did not wish to select any of the options provided." W_HAMILTON Mar 2020 #22
Agreed. The "scorched earth" philosophy among his top campaign staff members didn't "just happen"... NurseJackie Mar 2020 #31
This didn't age well. Squinch Mar 2020 #26
Same as last time. I have no reason to believe otherwise. NurseJackie Mar 2020 #30
 

Squinch

(53,199 posts)
1. What did he do last time?
Wed Mar 11, 2020, 07:22 AM
Mar 2020
If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

thesquanderer

(12,394 posts)
14. At least one big difference this time...
Wed Mar 11, 2020, 08:16 AM
Mar 2020

Last time, polls generally showed he would be stronger against Trump than Hillary was. This time, polls generally show that Joe is stronger against Trump than Bernie is.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

Squinch

(53,199 posts)
15. Sure they did.
Wed Mar 11, 2020, 09:15 AM
Mar 2020

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

thesquanderer

(12,394 posts)
16. Seriously?
Wed Mar 11, 2020, 09:52 AM
Mar 2020

I guess you can believe what you want rather than, you know, looking at the numbers, but if truth matters, see...

https://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2016/president/us/general_election_trump_vs_sanders-5565.html

https://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2016/president/us/general_election_trump_vs_clinton-5491.html

Look at every single 2016 poll where each was polled head-to-head against Trump... Sanders did better than Clinton on 27 out of the 28 polls, and almost always by 5 or more points (and as much as 12 points).

In fact, not only did Sanders poll MUCH better against Trump than Clinton did; but it's a much bigger difference than the difference in how Sanders or Biden would do against Trump today, as you can see by comparing these:

https://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2020/president/us/general_election_trump_vs_biden-6247.html

https://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2020/president/us/general_election_trump_vs_sanders-6250.html

I understand differences of opinion, but I am baffled by the refusal to acknowledge even easily checkable facts. But as they say, don't let facts get in the way...

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

Squinch

(53,199 posts)
24. Yes, seriously. In your source, there are just as many polls taken in the Spring in which
Wed Mar 11, 2020, 05:05 PM
Mar 2020

she has an enormous lead over trump as there are where BS has a lead.

Or are you comparing his Spring results to her Autumn results, when she was running against Trump, Comey and Russia and the race tightened up?

You know he would have faced those same forces, right?

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

thesquanderer

(12,394 posts)
25. I think you're mis-reading the info at those links.
Wed Mar 11, 2020, 05:31 PM
Mar 2020

The only valid comparisons are SAME POLL. For example, May 30 Quinnipiac Trump/Sanders to May 30 Quinnipiac Trump/Clinton. That way you're polling the same people, with the same methodology, at the same point in time. You cannot meaningfully compare a Trump/Clinton Autumn poll with a Trump/Sanders Spring poll.

With that in mind, look at the complete list of Sanders vs. Trump results from Jan 1 2016 to June 5 2016. Look at all the exact same polls on the Clinton vs. Trump page. Except for one of the 28, Sanders beats Trump by more than Clinton does... and not just by a little bit, but almost always by 5 or more points (and even as high as 12).

Yes, in almost all the polls, Clinton and Sanders both beat Trump... the point is that Sanders beats him by more--usually many more--points.

And if you look at, for example, how they compared to each other in Jan/Feb/Mar of 2016, that is comparable to looking at how Sanders and Biden have been polling against Trump in Jan/Feb/Mar of 2020, in terms of how far out from the election these numbers reflect.

p.s. -- they stop at June 5 because, once Sanders conceded, they no longer polled for how he would do against Trump.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

thesquanderer

(12,394 posts)
28. re: "You know he would have faced those same forces, right?"
Wed Mar 11, 2020, 05:38 PM
Mar 2020

p.s. -- No, come the Fall, Sanders would not have faced a Comey problem! But that could not have been predicted 6 months earlier.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

hlthe2b

(106,778 posts)
2. March 17 is AZ, OH, IL, and FL primaries. I think he wants to do the debate, but if
Wed Mar 11, 2020, 07:23 AM
Mar 2020

internal polling is really bad for those four states (as it already is for FL), it is a toss-up whether he'll pull out before. On the whole, I think he will wait until the 18th.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden

Response to thesquanderer (Original post)

 

thesquanderer

(12,394 posts)
4. Interestingly, they seem to have rejected HIM rather than his "socialist agenda"
Wed Mar 11, 2020, 07:30 AM
Mar 2020

His positions (including a government run single payer system) polled well. Exit polls showed that many who supported Sanders' policies still ended up voting for Biden (i.e. for other reasons, like a perceived better chance to beat Trump). They liked Sanders agenda, but preferred Biden as a candidate.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden

Response to thesquanderer (Reply #4)

 

el_bryanto

(11,804 posts)
8. I hope he withdraws
Wed Mar 11, 2020, 07:39 AM
Mar 2020

I'll support him until he chooses to drop out or loses the nomination, but I am tired of this Red Scare style talk designed to frighten people away from the sort of programs that will sustain long term improvements, instead of short term gains for the moneyed class.

Bryant

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Undecided
 

sop

(11,587 posts)
12. Good point. Sanders' policy prescriptions are broadly popular, but many voters don't believe he's
Wed Mar 11, 2020, 08:13 AM
Mar 2020

the one best suited to beat Trump, or get his agenda through Congress if elected. Biden would do well to adopt Sanders' populist themes, like wealth disparity and corporate corruption, to appeal to Bernie's young, progressive followers as well as disaffected working class Trump supporters.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

MoonchildCA

(1,344 posts)
11. I have not rejected his democratic socialist agenda.
Wed Mar 11, 2020, 07:56 AM
Mar 2020

Personally, I think his messaging is off by not explaining the distinction well, or often enough. It makes it easy for others to throw “look at Venezuela,” in our face. I’d rather the comparison be made to the successful Scandinavian countries that have the happiest people in the world.
I hope our party does move toward that platform in the future. But we need to do it gradually, within the party, and with the right messaging. And right now, our ship is sinking, and we just need to get it back to shore, or our democracy will be lost forever.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

pampango

(24,692 posts)
29. It's not a 'socialist agenda'. It's a 'European agenda'.
Wed Mar 11, 2020, 05:45 PM
Mar 2020

Don’t buy into Trump’s attacks on ‘socialism’ any time a liberal proposes anything.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Undecided
 

beachbumbob

(9,263 posts)
6. this is a given, sanders will not drop out period,as long as he has people
Wed Mar 11, 2020, 07:35 AM
Mar 2020

to sucker into donations and has money, he will stay to the convention. The question will be, will sanders go "scorched earth" policy on biden in same manner he did hillary? Will sanders followers take I don't "give a fuck attitude" and do what they can to help trump win?

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

thesquanderer

(12,394 posts)
9. The vast majority of "sanders followers" voted for Hillary in November.
Wed Mar 11, 2020, 07:49 AM
Mar 2020

His defectors were in the same range as those who defected from Hillary to McCain in 2008.

It was not a "scorched earth" policy. He did not go so hard on her at the debates, endorsed her weeks before the convention, and campaigned for her. You can say he should have done more, sooner, ok, but he did support her and did not scorch earth.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

Devil Child

(2,728 posts)
7. Would love to see Sen. Sanders see this through to the convention
Wed Mar 11, 2020, 07:38 AM
Mar 2020
If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Undecided
 

thesquanderer

(12,394 posts)
10. There is an argument to be made for giving people every chance to make their voices heard, but...
Wed Mar 11, 2020, 07:53 AM
Mar 2020

...personally, stakes being what they are, I think maximizing unity once the outcome is clear would be the greater good. And may even give Bernie an opportunity to have some more influence on Joe's policies, if they can work together in the coming months.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

HarlanPepper

(2,042 posts)
17. What a surprise.
Wed Mar 11, 2020, 10:32 AM
Mar 2020
If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

Devil Child

(2,728 posts)
18. You seem easily surprised!
Wed Mar 11, 2020, 12:35 PM
Mar 2020
If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Undecided
 

HarlanPepper

(2,042 posts)
19. Not really.
Wed Mar 11, 2020, 12:36 PM
Mar 2020

It's more or less sarcasm. But it's better than having terrible judgement and being easily fooled, I suppose.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

rzemanfl

(30,308 posts)
27. Shame on you child. n/t
Wed Mar 11, 2020, 05:33 PM
Mar 2020
If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

zackymilly

(2,375 posts)
13. Can you add "Dragged from the convention kicking and screaming"? n/t
Wed Mar 11, 2020, 08:15 AM
Mar 2020
If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

grantcart

(53,061 posts)
20. Continue to raise tens of millions so he will have a war chest to fund primary
Wed Mar 11, 2020, 12:38 PM
Mar 2020

Challenges on the left against Democratic candidates.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

thesquanderer

(12,394 posts)
21. I"m not sure that suspending his campaign would have any impact...
Wed Mar 11, 2020, 01:35 PM
Mar 2020

...on his ability to generate $ for primary candidates he supports.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

grantcart

(53,061 posts)
23. Supporters would be more willing to give money if he props up the illusion
Wed Mar 11, 2020, 02:24 PM
Mar 2020

That he is still in the race.

He also gets free press including the debates which all goes away if he suspends.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

W_HAMILTON

(8,570 posts)
22. I selected "did not wish to select any of the options provided."
Wed Mar 11, 2020, 01:39 PM
Mar 2020

I think Sanders will fight to the bitter end, EVEN IF Biden gets 1,991 delegates.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

NurseJackie

(42,862 posts)
31. Agreed. The "scorched earth" philosophy among his top campaign staff members didn't "just happen"...
Wed Mar 11, 2020, 05:48 PM
Mar 2020

Agreed. The "scorched earth" philosophy among his top campaign staff members didn't "just happen" on its own.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

Squinch

(53,199 posts)
26. This didn't age well.
Wed Mar 11, 2020, 05:33 PM
Mar 2020
If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

NurseJackie

(42,862 posts)
30. Same as last time. I have no reason to believe otherwise.
Wed Mar 11, 2020, 05:46 PM
Mar 2020
If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
Latest Discussions»Retired Forums»Democratic Primaries»DU Poll: What will Sander...