Share
Op-Ed

Dick Morris: A Big Biden Win in SC Could Actually Help Sanders

Share

Ironically, a big Biden victory in South Carolina could actually have the net effect of helping Bernie Sanders, his key rival for the nomination.

Sanders’ challenge is not just to win primaries but to do so by big enough margins as to help him win a first ballot majority at the convention.

The key to his doing so is to reduce the number of candidates in the field.

With only two candidates, of course, a plurality is a majority.

But, as the number of candidates increases, it is more and more difficult to breach 50 percent.

A Biden victory in South Carolina is also likely to hurt the campaigns of Pete Buttigieg and Amy Klobuchar significantly.

Weak finishes in South Carolina so soon before Super Tuesday could dramatically undermine their support as voters decide that backing them is futile.

Some of their support on Super Tuesday may go to Sanders, putting him closer to 50 percent.

Do you think Bernie Sanders will ultimately win the nomination?

Some of these voters won’t back Bernie, but enough may to bring him closer to a majority.

More will likely just stay home, having the same net positive effect for Sanders.

A Biden surge will also weaken Bloomberg and Warren, of course, but their candidacies can handle a drop better than the more fragile campaigns of Buttigieg and Klobuchar.

The views expressed in this opinion article are those of their author and are not necessarily either shared or endorsed by the owners of this website. If you are interested in contributing an Op-Ed to The Western Journal, you can learn about our submission guidelines and process here.

Truth and Accuracy

Submit a Correction →



We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism. Read our editorial standards.

Tags:
, , , , , , ,
Share
Dick Morris is a former adviser to President Bill Clinton as well as a political author, pollster and consultant. His most recent book, "50 Shades of Politics," was written with his wife, Eileen McGann.




Advertise with The Western Journal and reach millions of highly engaged readers, while supporting our work. Advertise Today.

Conversation