I might add to your list... though its more speculation so....
A packed field of candidates (like the Repubs had to deal with during their 2016 primaries) might have helped to dilute votes from those who vote regularly while also bringing in some of the non regular voters who are more ID pol inclined, helped push news cycles where Bernie or populist policies wouldn't/couldn't be covered...
Right—in 2016 they tried coronating Hillary early on and it backfired, somewhat, because it drew attention to her shitty record/lack of charisma, and Bernie could differentiate early on. In 2020, the crowded field meant that Biden and Harris (who had the most billionaire support) could swoop in due to machine politics.
If only the Medicare for all lobby had written Clyburn a 10 million dollar check...
I might add to your list... though its more speculation so....
A packed field of candidates (like the Repubs had to deal with during their 2016 primaries) might have helped to dilute votes from those who vote regularly while also bringing in some of the non regular voters who are more ID pol inclined, helped push news cycles where Bernie or populist policies wouldn't/couldn't be covered...
Right—in 2016 they tried coronating Hillary early on and it backfired, somewhat, because it drew attention to her shitty record/lack of charisma, and Bernie could differentiate early on. In 2020, the crowded field meant that Biden and Harris (who had the most billionaire support) could swoop in due to machine politics.
If only the Medicare for all lobby had written Clyburn a 10 million dollar check...