But that's the question we're debating: did Biden win the nomination mostly because Democratic primary voters wanted him, or because they rejected Bernie?

I think it's the latter. This is important to assess Biden's strength. My personal view is that he's quite the lousy candidate. Imho, he isnt the front-runner for the general because of his own strength, it's due to extremely favorable external circumstances. And also because Trump's unforced errors might, at long last, be catching up with him.

I disagree. A majority of voting Democrats elected Joe Biden because they share his moderate policies, not because they felt compelled to block Bernie.

A vote for Biden is also a rejection of Bernie. They aren't mutually exclusive, in fact in the particular system we have now they are inseparable factors. If there was a system utilizing run-off voting of some sort then we might be able to parse that out, but in a first-past-the-post system with two parties there is no meaningful separation between rejecting one side and wanting the other.

This post was edited by Thor123422 on Jun 25 2020 05:48pm

Then why did he finish in 4th place in Iowa and 5th place in New Hampshire? And it's not exclusively because these states are so white. Biden also finished with less than half of Bernie's vote share in very diverse Nevada.

1. because Iowa is fucking wierd, and NH pulled very hard for Bernie and more progressive candidates. as they've fairly progressive.

2. because that was early stages when not only was the moderate vote heavily split but also Joe was under attack from all angles.

he'd just spent 2 months as being the target of all contenders. once the moderates left the race, either one by one or the flood that left pre-super tuesday, Joe rained supreme. the moderate vote still has a significant majority of the DNC. especially in states like Iowa where democrats aren't very progressive.

In Iowa specifically Pete won. aka the younger more bland Joe on stage. Bernie got second largely to turnout being so low, 45k votes to win is insane. Dem primary turnout isnt very big in the state.

May 23, 2020.

Biden poll numbers have gone up since then.

Nice try! Lol.

This post was edited by IceMage on Jun 26 2020 11:23am

unfortunately, privileged lefties/democrats sure do love the prospect of electing racist modern-day confederates who eulogize kkk members

He's not the candidate crying over Confederate statues coming down! Lmao.

He is the Candidate who can't remember what he had for breakfast, though.

Good thing he's got staffers!



"Well, if you have a problem figuring out whether you're for me or Trump, then you ain't black."

Joe Biden - 2020
77 year old - Life Long Politician
White Cis Male
Democratic Presidential Nominee