Would Bernie have done better as the nominee in 2016 or 2020?

[I need an explanation]

I’m going to say 2016, but I’m not sure.

[KaiserDave]

Easily 2016, not even close

[dw93]

2016, though I don't think he'd be DOA for 2020 like many on here do.

[Alben Barkley]

No. He would have at least had a chance in 2016, though, not this year. At one time I thought he might have done better in 2016 than Hillary, now I’m not so sure.

[dw93]

No. He would have at least had a chance in 2016, though, not this year. At one time I thought he might have done better in 2016 than Hillary, now I’m not so sure.

His campaign in 2016 was much more economic in tone and in theme than it was in 2020. Bernie's messaging in 16 was also (though still flawed) much better than it was this year. For 2016, I think he holds the rust belt 3 that made Trump President and reduces his margins (though still coming short) in Iowa and Ohio. He does however do worse in FL, NC, and, while still holding onto it, Virginia. For 2020, I'm not sure how he'd do. I lean toward him losing, but like I said he wouldn't be DOA.

[Skill and Chance]

Easily 2016 with the anti-establishment mood.  Bernie running a return to normalcy campaign just doesn't work.

[Non Swing Voter]

He would have done terrible either year.  I don't think there would have been much variation. 

[Rules for me, but not for thee]

Bernie would've crushed it in 2016.  It was night and day on the enthusiasm for his campaign vs Hillary.  

[SN2903]

Unpopular take: Bernie was not electable in 16 or now. No one was going to beat Trump in 2016. He had the perfect message for that time. Biden didn't really do well and he is seen as a lot more moderate. No way Bernie gets anywhere near 270 EV this year. In 2016 he probably would have gotten slightly worse than Hillary.

[Motorcity]

2020

If Sanders was the nominee in 2016, than Bloomberg runs third party handing the election to Trump with a 40 state landslide.

In 2020, Bloomberg would grumble but wouldn't run third party