Sanders Ends 2020 Presidential Bid; Biden Likely Democratic Nominee by Associated Press, Adapted by Newsela Staff on 04.09.20 Word Count 742 Level 810L

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Sanders ends 2020 presidential bid; Biden likely Democratic nominee By Associated Press, adapted by Newsela staff on 04.09.20 Word Count 742 Level 810L

Senator Bernie Sanders, an independent from Vermont, speaks during a campaign rally in Detroit, Michigan, March 6, 2020. Sanders ended his presidential bid on April 8, making Joe Biden the presumptive Democratic nominee for the 2020 presidential election. Photo: Paul Sancya/AP Photo

Senator Bernie Sanders, an independent from Vermont, has dropped out of the presidential race. He made the announcement on April 8. This means that Joe Biden will likely be the Democratic pick for president. The Democratic nominee will run against President Donald Trump in the November election. Trump is a Republican.

People had high expectations for Sanders' campaign. They thought he could recreate the magic of the last time he ran for president. In 2016, Sanders also ran for president. The Democratic pick in 2016 ended up being Hillary Clinton, who lost to Trump.

Sanders overcame a lot of things. However, he was not able to get people with different political views than his to vote for him. There were fears about Sanders' electability. Many voters were worried he would not win against Trump. They were worried that Sanders' politics would not

This article is available at 5 reading levels at https://newsela.com. appeal to everyone. Sanders wanted more services to be provided by the government and to introduce other large changes that made some Democrats uncomfortable.

"The path toward victory is virtually impossible," Sanders told supporters April 8. "If I believed we had a feasible path to the nomination I would certainly continue the campaign, but it's just not there."

He called Biden a "very decent man" but didn't say that he supports him.

Sanders Had A Strong Start

Biden has the support of many in the Democratic Party. He told supporters at a virtual fundraiser that he had a "short conversation" with Sanders on April 8.

"He didn't just run a political campaign. He created a movement," Biden said. "That's a good thing for our nation and our future. His campaign has ended, but I know his leadership will continue."

The 78-year-old Sanders began his latest White House bid facing questions. Many wondered whether he could win back the supporters who chose him four years ago. Back then, he was a surprise opponent against the party's top choice, Clinton. Sanders won 22 states in 2016. Yet there were no promises he'd be a top pick this time around. He was the oldest candidate in the Democratic primary race.

Sanders, though, used strong polling and solid fundraising. He collected almost entirely from small donations given to him online. He easily quieted the people who doubted him in the beginning. As he did the first time, he attracted a lot of support from young voters. This time, though, he made new connections with the Hispanic community. Still, his appeal with the black community remained small.

Sanders collected the most votes in Iowa and New Hampshire. These states opened the primary elections that decide a party's pick for president. Sanders then cruised to victory in Nevada. That win seemed to have left him well positioned to become the Democratic pick. A group of other candidates continued to drop out around him.

Biden Made A Comeback

However, Biden received the important backing of Representative Jim Clyburn, a Democrat from South Carolina. Shortly after that, Biden saw a larger-than-expected victory in the South Carolina primary. It propelled him into the important day of several primaries called Super Tuesday on March 3 when Biden won 10 of 14 states.

In a matter of days, Biden's one-time opponents in the Democratic race now supported him. The former vice president's run for president had once appeared close to falling apart. He finished poorly in the early primaries. Yet his campaign found new life. The party's more moderate members gathered around him.

Things got worse for Sanders the following week. He lost Michigan. He had many supporters there in 2016. He was also beaten in Missouri, Mississippi and Idaho the same night. The results were so clear that Sanders headed to Vermont without speaking to the media.

Coronavirus Froze The Race

This article is available at 5 reading levels at https://newsela.com. The coronavirus outbreak froze the race in March. It prevented Sanders from holding the large rallies that had become his specialty. It became increasingly unclear where he could get a primary victory.

Though he will not be the Democrat candidate for president, Sanders' ideas for improving the United States became important topics of conversation. He backed a "Medicare for All" plan. The program would give health care to every American. He also pushed for tuition-free public college and sweeping efforts to fight climate change under the "Green New Deal." These changes would be paid for by the government, funded with taxpayer money.

Now, Sanders ending his bid could be a step toward uniting Democrats behind Biden.

This article is available at 5 reading levels at https://newsela.com. Quiz

1 Read the article's introduction [paragraphs 1-5].

Which sentence from the section shows why some Democrats were unsure about voting for Bernie Sanders?

(A) They thought he could recreate the magic of the last time he ran for president.

(B) There were fears about Sanders's electability.

(D) He called Biden a "very decent man" but didn't say that he supports him.

2 Read the section "Sanders Had A Strong Start.”

Which selection from the section supports the conclusion that Sanders was doing well at the beginning of his 2020 campaign?

(A) Biden has the support of many in the Democratic Party. He told supporters at a virtual fundraiser that he had a "short conversation" with Sanders on April 8.

(B) The 78-year-old senator began his latest White House bid facing questions. Many wondered whether he could win back the supporters who chose him four years ago.

(C) Back then, he was a surprise opponent against the party's top choice, Clinton. Sanders won 22 states in 2016. Yet there were no promises he'd be a top pick this time around.

(D) Sanders collected the most votes in Iowa and New Hampshire. These states opened the primary elections that decide a party's pick for president. Sanders then cruised to victory in Nevada.

3 What effect did the coronavirus have on Bernie Sanders’ campaign?

(A) It caused his campaign to no longer be frozen.

(B) It gave his campaign more popularity and energy.

(D) He was unable to keep holding his big rallies.

4 According to the section “Biden Made A Comeback,” how did Joe Biden make his comeback?

(A) He was backed by Representative Jim Clyburn, who helped him win votes in the biggest U.S. state.

(B) He was backed by other Democratic candidates after he won the first three primaries in the race.

(D) He got support from Bernie Sanders after Sanders quit the race and went to his home in Vermont.

This article is available at 5 reading levels at https://newsela.com. Answer Key