Democratic Primaries
Related: About this forumIt's Time for Bernie to Talk About Himself
Bernie Sanders plans to carry his 2020 presidential campaign forward and to participate in the October 15 Democratic debate. The announcement that the Vermont senator does not intend to let treatment for the blockage of an artery slow him downfor longcame as little surprise to people who know him. If there is one constant in his now almost 50-year-long electoral journey from the fringes of American campaigning to the center of presidential debate stages, it is that Sanders sees politics as a mission that should not get bogged down with too much talk about the candidates personal concerns and challenges.
(snip)
Sanders has loosened up during a 2020 campaign that has seen him talk a bit more about his family and his own story. He has joked about his age on the trail, and he has inspired laughs because hes been such a robust campaignerand because of his notable appeal to young voters. He can keep doing so, just as he can speak seriously about the subject, in ways that challenge ageism, that teach and reveal and that respect the honest interest and concern of voters.
(snip)
On the campaign trail in recent months, Sanders has invited people who attend town hall meetings to talk about their health care struggles, as part of the discussion about the need to establish a single-payer health care system in the United States. Now, he has some stories of his own to telland he shouldnt hesitate to do so. Nor should he hesitate to talk about the fact that lots of Americans have medical procedures and then have to go back to work. These choices can be hard, and they come with many pressures, many stresses. Its not a sign of weakness for a candidate whose campaign is so wrapped up with the issue of health care policy to share his own experience and his own thinking about that experience. Its an expression of strength and confidence.
Bernie Sanders really is more comfortable talking about the issues than he is about himself. But campaigns have a way of demanding more from candidates than they think theyre ready to give. In this case, Bernie Sanders can take charge of the discussion, acknowledge that hes been through something, and talk about it with the great mass of Americans who are ready to hear what he has to say.
https://www.thenation.com/article/bernie-sanders-health/
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
NurseJackie
(42,862 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
milestogo
(16,829 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
NurseJackie
(42,862 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
efhmc
(14,731 posts)I am not a fan of BS but want him to be well and continue if that is his goal.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
comradebillyboy
(10,174 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
George II
(67,782 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
RKP5637
(67,112 posts)his health in more detail. If not, people invent wrongly what is going on, and that can sometimes be hard to erase once perception is set.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
NurseJackie
(42,862 posts)You're correct! I'm sure the BS campaign is aware of that as well. Which tells me that SOMEONE involved with the campaign made a CONSCIOUS DECISION to be vague and cagey... in spite of the risks that people may "invent wrongly" what's going on.
Based on that, it's my belief that reality is worse than the speculation.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
George II
(67,782 posts)....he's been far from "robust" in recent months.
Yes, it's time we get some answers about his health.
There have been calls for Biden's medical records, thankfully stopping short of a full neurological workup, for months. And he didn't fall in the shower or have a heart procedure.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
TidalWave46
(2,061 posts)The guy loves talking about himself. We often hear him say I dont like talking about myself.... Then he goes on to talk about himself.
Only a very small group of people seem to not understand this.
Of course there is great concern about his lack of transparency with respect to his serious medical condition but that is politics.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
NurseJackie
(42,862 posts)I'm not saying that anyone has outright LIED... but it's very clear that they're being very nonspecific and noncommittal. Words are chosen very carefully and in such a way that it leaves a lot of room for interpretation (and leeway in the event that things go sideways.)
The American people and the Democratic party deserve to know what's actually going on. It really serves no good purpose for the BS campaign (or Jane) to be so cagey... and absent... with any meaningful information.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Uncle Joe
(58,405 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
NurseJackie
(42,862 posts)I wonder why that is... "do tell" indeed.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
TidalWave46
(2,061 posts)When a career politician isn't transparent then there will be "gossip and speculation."
Pretty simple stuff. No one thinks they haven't been tight lipped.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
George II
(67,782 posts)...when she was asked if he had a blockage or heart attack, she answered "He had a blockage....I can tell you that the campaign said that it's very clear, that's what I heard."
https://www.democraticunderground.com/12963869
So, his WIFE relies on what the campaign says instead of talking directly to the doctor? This is very curious indeed.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
NurseJackie
(42,862 posts)Jane's "body language" betrays her actual words. Watch the video. When she's saying things like "he's fine" and "he's having a good time" ... she is shaking her head from side to side.
She's got her "talking points" and when she's run through them all, she beings to repeat herself.
She's "trying too hard" (in my opinion).
https://www.fox5vegas.com/news/local/bernie-sanders-recovering-at-las-vegas-valley-hospital-following-heart/article_b4bec360-e614-11e9-8b35-479918eb508c.html
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
George II
(67,782 posts)Odd wording. Yes she's trying very hard and I wonder why?
To think some here were calling it an "out patient" procedure!
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
TidalWave46
(2,061 posts)CNN said they aren't getting a straight answer.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
NurseJackie
(42,862 posts)Wow! So we're not the only ones who are noticing the evasiveness and the vague noncommittal responses... that's a relief.
Obviously, it's not THIS bad... but I'm easily reminded of this:
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
TidalWave46
(2,061 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
NurseJackie
(42,862 posts)... I don't understand it.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
cwydro
(51,308 posts)Also, telling.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
LakeArenal
(28,837 posts)Smells to me like too many preconditions
to support one for political office.
Thirty five year olds die of heart conditions all the time. Yeah he and Joe are old. But FDR was in a wheel chair and Kennedy needed one a lot as well.
Neither of their brains seemed to be malfunctioning.
Hillary and Warren are old but their brains function amazingly as well.
Same with Bernie and Biden.
That is why the Vice President is a vital part of the dynamic. One passes their knowledge and experience forward. Its an administration that runs the country. Or ruins it,sic...
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
NurseJackie
(42,862 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
TidalWave46
(2,061 posts)Not really. Specially when compared to a 78 year olds.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
LakeArenal
(28,837 posts)Besides how many Senators have drinking habits or addiction habits. We have no idea. Or Cheat on their wives. All worse than old age. But theres no test for a gambling addiction. Or I cheat on my wife polygraph.
Besides I spoke for myself not anyone else especially you. You of course can think old age is a precondition. I dont.
Nor do I think a blocked valve or whatever they say it is, is not a disqualifier for any one at any age.
Im not voting for Sanders mostly because of Al Franken baggage which many share with Bernie. To me, political opportunists are worse than being old.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
TidalWave46
(2,061 posts)"but people to live 120."
How many?
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
LakeArenal
(28,837 posts)My opinion is my opinion.
Yours is yours.
Have a nice day.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
ehrnst
(32,640 posts)Personally, I think transparency (honesty) is a good thing in a candidate.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
vsrazdem
(2,177 posts)Get a grip. He is not going anywhere. He either gets votes or doesn't. That's the way it works, but insinuating he is too ill to run, is just like what the Republicans were doing with Hillary.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
NurseJackie
(42,862 posts)All I'm saying is that the American people and the Democratic party deserves to know the truth regarding whether or not he's actually fit and healthy enough to serve in the very stressful and strenuous job of POTUS and as Leader of the Free World.
That's not too much to ask. That's not unreasonable.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
democrank
(11,100 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
Callado119
(171 posts)And just had a heart attack. Its time for him drop out. If it happened to Biden or Warren, there would be unanimous calls for them to drop out immediately..
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
democrank
(11,100 posts)And thanks for all you do.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
Gothmog
(145,489 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
George II
(67,782 posts)...instead of concealing the fact that he had a heart attack for almost three days?
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
NurseJackie
(42,862 posts)...instead of concealing the fact that he had a heart attack for almost three days?
Now that the precedent has been set... now that we know what to expect... (and now that we know the TRUTH is TOTALLY OPPOSITE from what they told us) I'm afraid that I will now (and forever more) have a VERY DIFFICULT TIME in being able to trust any news at all that comes from them.
All I'm saying is... they should have been honest, direct, transparent and forthcoming FROM THE VERY BEGINNING... but they weren't. And that's a shame. The BS campaign has totally lost my trust on this matter. I can't believe anything they say when it comes to this subject.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
oasis
(49,401 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden