Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) on Sunday downplayed fellow octogenarian President Biden’s age, recalling a latest assembly wherein the 80-year-old commander-in-chief “appeared nice.”
“I met with the president, I don’t know 5 or 6 weeks in the past. We had a fantastic dialogue. He appeared nice to me,” Sanders advised NBC Information’ “Meet the Press.”
Sanders, 81, rattled off a number of points, corresponding to abortion, local weather change, the minimal wage, reforming the pharmaceutical trade and extra that he believes voters will think about strongly within the 2024 presidential election.
“When folks have a look at a candidate, whether or not it’s Joe Biden or Trump or Bernie Sanders, anyone else, they’ve to guage an entire lot of things,” he mentioned.
Thirty-seven % of Democratic and Impartial voters indicated that Biden’s age makes them much less more likely to again him, whereas 56% mentioned it didn’t make a distinction, in accordance with a USA TODAY/Suffolk College ballot from June.
Biden has lengthy grappled with questions on his age.
At 80, he’s already the oldest president in historical past. He shall be 82 in the beginning of a second time period, ought to he win re-election, and 86 by its conclusion.
“It doesn’t register with me,” Biden advised reporters about his age again in April. “However the one factor I can say is that one of many issues that individuals are going to seek out out is, they’re going to see a race, and they will decide whether or not or not I’ve it or don’t have it.”
However the president has additionally acknowledged that his age is a “reputable concern.”
Many conservative critics have pointed to a string of gaffes on his half, corresponding to suggesting his administration has plans to assemble “railroad from the Pacific all the way in which throughout the Indian Ocean.”
Final yr, throughout a convention, he known as out for the late Rep. Jackie Walorski (R-Ind.), who had died in a automotive crash.
Thus far, the 2024 Republican frontrunner is former President Donald Trump, who’s 77. Biden retains a 1.4% edge over Trump within the newest RealClearPolitics combination.
Sanders, who ran for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination, which Biden gained, not too long ago delivered a coverage speech in New Hampshire. He prodded the Democrats to tack to the left within the upcoming election.
“Biden has each proper to be pleased with a protracted collection of accomplishments. The purpose of my remarks is that you simply can’t merely as president of the US, relaxation in your laurels,” Sanders mentioned Sunday.
“My message yesterday for the Democrats, not only for the president, is if you wish to do properly on this election, discuss to the wants of the American folks,” he continued, “have the heart to tackle the large cash.”