# What's Bernie's remaining realistic path to the nomination? **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [March 5, 2020, 5:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-bernies-remaining-realistic-path-to-the-nomination/848949 "2020-03-05T05:16:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 15
**Author:** ![Bijou\_Drains](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bijou_drains/32/2814_2.png) [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2020, 12:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-bernies-remaining-realistic-path-to-the-nomination/848949/281 "2020-03-21T12:11:37Z")
Sanders did a video last night with guest speakers and he certainly does not look like he’s quitting any time soon. ---
**Author:** ![JKellyMap](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jkellymap/32/15880_2.png) [@JKellyMap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKellyMap)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2020, 1:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-bernies-remaining-realistic-path-to-the-nomination/848949/282 "2020-03-21T13:03:39Z")
> [@Bijou\_Drains](#): > > Sanders did a video last night with guest speakers and he certainly does not look like he’s quitting any time soon. What a fucking asshole. I hereby take back all the nice things I’ve said about him over the last 35 years. Yes, 35 years — I remember my high school history teacher (who had recently graduated from a small liberal arts college in New England) telling us about this socialist mayor of a city in Vermont, and we talked about what that meant and why it was a good thing to see. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2020, 1:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-bernies-remaining-realistic-path-to-the-nomination/848949/283 "2020-03-21T13:10:23Z")
> [@Bijou\_Drains](#): > > Sanders did a video last night with guest speakers and he certainly does not look like he’s quitting any time soon. What did he say in the video? I’m not going to condemn him for making a video unless I know what’s in it and it’s inappropriate. ---
**Author:** ![JKellyMap](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jkellymap/32/15880_2.png) [@JKellyMap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKellyMap)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2020, 1:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-bernies-remaining-realistic-path-to-the-nomination/848949/284 "2020-03-21T13:12:54Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > What did he say in the video? I’m not going to condemn him for making a video unless I know what’s in it and it’s inappropriate. Why do you need to know any more than that he failed to say “I AM quitting, now (or very soon)”? ---
**Author:** ![Bijou\_Drains](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bijou_drains/32/2814_2.png) [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2020, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-bernies-remaining-realistic-path-to-the-nomination/848949/285 "2020-03-21T14:27:03Z")
video was pretty much all about the pandemic and what should be done about it . I only watched the first part so he might have covered other stuff later. Here it is, does not work for me but maybe it will for others [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/qBstcJ2GjGQ/maxresdefault.jpg "BERNIE HOSTS VIRTUAL CORONAVIRUS ROUNDTABLE") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qBstcJ2GjGQ) ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2020, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-bernies-remaining-realistic-path-to-the-nomination/848949/286 "2020-03-21T14:37:57Z")
Thanks for your detailed report. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2020, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-bernies-remaining-realistic-path-to-the-nomination/848949/287 "2020-03-21T14:41:06Z")
> [@JKellyMap](#): > > Why do you need to know any more than that he failed to say “I AM quitting, now (or very soon)”? Because staying in the race right now and talking about the pandemic isn’t hurting Biden or anyone else. ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2020, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-bernies-remaining-realistic-path-to-the-nomination/848949/288 "2020-03-21T14:47:57Z")
Meanwhile, his campaign manager sent out this: > [@](#): > > No sugarcoating it, last night did not go the way we wanted. > > And while our campaign has won the battle of ideas, we are losing the battle over electability to Joe Biden. > > So we wanted to give you an update on what is next for Bernie and for our campaign: > > First, Bernie will likely have a vote on the coronavirus in the Senate today. He’ll take that vote, and you can expect him to continue his fight to ensure we are protecting working people, low-income people, and the most vulnerable communities, not just giant corporations and Wall Street in any response to the virus. > > Then after this vote today, Bernie and Jane are going to get on a plane back to Vermont. Once there, they’ll begin holding conversations with supporters to get input and assess the path forward for our campaign. We will keep you updated as those conversations progress. > > In the meantime, please continue to stay safe, and thank you for everything you’ve done so far. It means the world to Bernie and Jane. Sounds like suspending the campaign is nigh. ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2020, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-bernies-remaining-realistic-path-to-the-nomination/848949/289 "2020-03-21T15:01:28Z")
I can relate. Every time I land in Vermont, the last thing I want to do is continue to campaign, or ever leave for that matter. ---
**Author:** ![Bijou\_Drains](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bijou_drains/32/2814_2.png) [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2020, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-bernies-remaining-realistic-path-to-the-nomination/848949/290 "2020-03-21T15:46:16Z")
I guess he thinks with no primaries for a while he doesn’t need to drop out . The next big state is Wisconsin April 7th. After that no more primaries until April 28th when NY and Penn vote, assuming they don’t delay the vote. Makes no sense for him to stay past 4/28. ---
**Author:** ![Boycott](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boycott/32/6741_2.png) [@Boycott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boycott)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2020, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-bernies-remaining-realistic-path-to-the-nomination/848949/291 "2020-03-21T17:14:42Z")
Biden did a press briefing via call with the former Surgeon General with him so it seems he’s already pivoting to GE mode. Also expected to start running his own shadow briefings daily from Monday although I am personally sceptical about that being a good idea. He doesn’t currently hold office and the airwaves would be better to be reserved for governors and mayors who are leading the charge now. Biden doing it would appear political because what can he say or do that pushes the envelope into direct action. It would be like Obama turning up to hold a press conference. Might make people feel good and better about the situation but ultimately he holds no power. ---
**Author:** ![Tamerlane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tamerlane/32/7602_2.png) [@Tamerlane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tamerlane)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2020, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-bernies-remaining-realistic-path-to-the-nomination/848949/292 "2020-03-21T18:42:41Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > Because staying in the race right now and talking about the pandemic isn’t hurting Biden or anyone else. Well, that is certainly untrue and would be for any pair of candidates in this situation at this point in a nomination contest. For example every dollar a candidate spends fighting for the nomination is a dollar less for fighting the general election. In general I don’t have a problem with Sanders using his bully pulpit to shift the Overton window a bit - that is frankly why most candidates run, because most never have a shot at landing the nomination to begin with. But there comes a time when it is probably best to withdraw and let the winning candidate campaign without having to play defense with his own party. I had no issues with Sanders continuing through this last week, but his theoretical path to the nomination is now almost certainly nil barring a medical emergency or a live boy/dead girl scenario. It’s probably time to stop wasting money and hang it up. ---
**Author:** ![Bijou\_Drains](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bijou_drains/32/2814_2.png) [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2020, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-bernies-remaining-realistic-path-to-the-nomination/848949/293 "2020-03-21T18:44:15Z")
I don’t think Biden is going to spend very much on ads from now to the convention. He may run a few TV ads right before the primaries that are coming up ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2020, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-bernies-remaining-realistic-path-to-the-nomination/848949/294 "2020-03-21T19:26:36Z")
> [@Boycott](#): > > Biden did a press briefing via call with the former Surgeon General with him so it seems he’s already pivoting to GE mode. Also expected to start running his own shadow briefings daily from Monday although I am personally sceptical about that being a good idea. He doesn’t currently hold office and the airwaves would be better to be reserved for governors and mayors who are leading the charge now. Biden doing it would appear political because what can he say or do that pushes the envelope into direct action. It would be like Obama turning up to hold a press conference. Might make people feel good and better about the situation but ultimately he holds no power. It’s general election campaigning. The more Biden looks competent and has a plan for public health, compared to Trump who talks about how well, financially, Walmart is doing in this crisis, the better for Biden. ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2020, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-bernies-remaining-realistic-path-to-the-nomination/848949/295 "2020-03-21T20:56:07Z")
> [@Tamerlane](#): > > Well, that is certainly untrue and would be for any pair of candidates in this situation at this point in a nomination contest. For example every dollar a candidate spends fighting for the nomination is a dollar less for fighting the general election. > > In general I don’t have a problem with Sanders using his bully pulpit to shift the Overton window a bit - that is frankly why most candidates run, because most never have a shot at landing the nomination to begin with. But there comes a time when it is probably best to withdraw and let the winning candidate campaign without having to play defense with his own party. I had no issues with Sanders continuing through this last week, but his theoretical path to the nomination is now almost certainly nil barring a medical emergency or a live boy/dead girl scenario. It’s probably time to stop wasting money and hang it up. Is there really any appetite for moving that damn window now? Bernie’s been running his mouth for 5 years, we know his message. Now all he’s got is a twitter troll army. There won’t be any primaries for a while, there’s no appetite for his massive rallies and finger waggling, no reason for another debate. All politicians have an ego, Bernie’s is larger than most but it’s time to throw in the towel. He’s still a senator. ---
**Author:** ![Nonsuch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nonsuch/32/2922_2.png) [@Nonsuch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nonsuch)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2020, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-bernies-remaining-realistic-path-to-the-nomination/848949/296 "2020-03-21T22:44:45Z")
> [@dalej42](#): > > Is there really any appetite for moving that damn window now? Bernie’s been running his mouth for 5 years, we know his message. Now all he’s got is a twitter troll army. There won’t be any primaries for a while, there’s no appetite for his massive rallies and finger waggling, no reason for another debate. All politicians have an ego, Bernie’s is larger than most but it’s time to throw in the towel. He’s still a senator. I was going to say the same. The Overton window isn’t going anymore leftward at this point. Bernie Sanders is a known quantity, and what actual ideas he has (as opposed to outrage/spleen) are well-trodden ground. Let him “assess” with his family and apparatchiks for a few days and then GTFO of this race. (Please.) ---
**Author:** ![Manwich](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e480ec/32.png) [@Manwich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Manwich)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2020, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-bernies-remaining-realistic-path-to-the-nomination/848949/297 "2020-03-22T02:39:27Z")
With Biden out of the picture, this has been a great chance for Bernie to show his leadership and the advantage of healthcare for all USA people. Imagine losing your job now or being a gig worker with no health care under your unique first world yet cruel system. Hopefully Biden drops out of the race now his policies have been laid bare as feeble. ---
**Author:** ![SlackerInc](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slackerinc/32/275_2.png) [@SlackerInc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SlackerInc)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2020, 2:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-bernies-remaining-realistic-path-to-the-nomination/848949/298 "2020-03-22T02:53:33Z")
You’re always good for a laugh, Manwich. Or a chuckle at least. ---
**Author:** ![Manwich](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e480ec/32.png) [@Manwich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Manwich)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2020, 4:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-bernies-remaining-realistic-path-to-the-nomination/848949/299 "2020-03-22T04:20:18Z")
Another possible attack for Sanders would be to investigate Biden under 18 U.S. Code § 599 for Biden’s offer of a cabinet position for Yang in exchange for Yang’s endorsement. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Stamos\_Left\_Ear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_stamos_left_ear/32/3198_2.png) [@John\_Stamos\_Left\_Ear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Stamos_Left_Ear)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2020, 4:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-bernies-remaining-realistic-path-to-the-nomination/848949/300 "2020-03-22T04:27:22Z")
> [@Manwich](#): > > With Biden out of the picture, this has been a great chance for Bernie to show his leadership and the advantage of healthcare for all USA people. > > Imagine losing your job now or being a gig worker with no health care under your unique first world yet cruel system. > > Hopefully Biden drops out of the race now his policies have been laid bare as feeble. Reported. Sent from my SM-G973U using Tapatalk [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-bernies-remaining-realistic-path-to-the-nomination/848949.md?page=14) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-bernies-remaining-realistic-path-to-the-nomination/848949.md?page=16)