Here’s a hypothetical for you, could Bernie Sanders supporters give President Trump four more years? It certainly looks that way. In a recent article, Sanders supporters say they will deal a major blow to the establishment if Sanders loses the nomination. For the record, Sanders is going to lose the nomination.
In the article, Henry Williams says that they will never support or boost Joe Biden. Another high profile Democratic Socialist is noted as saying they could not vote for Biden. From historical perspective, it would not appear that they are alone. It is not out of context for Sanders supporters to vote for Trump.
In 2016, over 216,000 Sanders voters supported Trump in the fall election. As NBC News notes, this was over twice the Presidents margin of victory in those states. All three of these states were critical to Trump winning the White House. So the assumption could be drawn that Sanders supporters gave Trump the Presidency.
Sanders -> Trump voters…
WI: 51k
MI: 47k
PA: 116kTrump win margin…
WI: 22k
MI: 10k
PA: 44k¯_(ツ)_/¯ https://t.co/0buUsnsMA9
— G. Elliott Morris (@gelliottmorris) August 23, 2017
In 2020, they are in a position to do it again. Biden aides insisted to the NY Post that his support with other demographics could overcome the Sanders defectors. But is that so? Many interviewed for the article said that they would not vote for Biden. Their goal is to pressure Sanders into continuing in the campaign and again causing issues for the Democratic Party in November.
If 12% of Sanders support did indeed vote for Trump in 2016, it would be easy to assume the margin could be more in 2020. There is an assumption that the voters could also potentially stay home. Some primary numbers could seem to indicate this as well.
Democratic turnout has not been as high as it was hoped in the primaries. The Democrats have not been able to duplicate the turnout of the 2008 Obama crowd, but Trump has continued to perform well. Actually, Trump has been outperforming in the primary. Republicans are excited for the vote, but the Democrats cannot seem to get the voters out.
Biden continues to pull away from Sanders with each primary election, but the primary will not be the end. His voters will have a say in November. It may not be with Sanders as the nominee, but it may keep Biden from any chance to win. Democrats will need a solid plan to try to win these voters back. Will Biden move further left or will the party leave the Sanders voters aside? Time will tell.
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