ighty-two-year-old liberal U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont announced Monday that he is running for re-election, saying American democracy is in question during difficult times for the country and the world.
Sanders, seeking a fourth Senate term, is an independent. He was a Democratic congressman for 16 years and still caucuses with the Democrats.
In an announcement video, he said that in many ways the 2024 election “is the most consequential election in our lifetimes.”
“Will the United States continue to even function as a democracy, or will we move to an authoritarian form of government?” he said in his video message. He questioned whether the country will reverse what he called “the unprecedented level of income and wealth inequality” and if it can create a government that works for all, and a political system not dominated by wealthy campaign contributors.
“I have been, and will be if re-elected, in a strong position to provide the kind of help that Vermonters need in these difficult times,” Sanders said in a review of his positions as chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee and a member of the Senate Democratic leadership team, as well as a senior member of various other committees.
On a current controversial topic, Sanders, who has been critical of the war in Gaza, said Israel has the right to defend itself against the Oct. 7, “horrific” attack and hostage taking by the terrorist organization Hamas “but it did not and does not have the right to go to war against the entire Palestinian people, which is exactly what it is doing.”
@Nick_1956Libertarian2wks2W
By the end of his next term, he’ll be 89 years old.
Why don’t these people want to live out their last days with their families rather than try and destroy our nation?
@BallotBoxPonieDemocrat2wks2W
And for some reason, some people are celebrating this. Is there really nobody younger?
I like Bernie, but it's high time for him, and others in Congress to retire and hand the reins to younger lawmakers.
@CoatiCodyGreen2wks2W
Absolutely! Why have someone like Bernie in office when we can fill the halls with youth like: josh Hawley, MTG, gaetz. Should I go on? Don't vote for age over character!
@J0intComm1tteeFoxGreen2wks2W
This country needs Bernie especially when a 2nd Trump term could be on the horizon.
And they complain that there isn't enough people of color in office. This is one of the main reasons why. They keep voting for the ones who want the deep state active by voting in these life long politicians getting rich off their scams
@R1ghtWingQuichePatriot2wks2W
It’s called greed. It’s very addicting and hard to let go. Just like junk food and drugs. We need term limits and age limits. 8 years is enough and stop at 75.
@ISIDEWITH2wks2W
@ISIDEWITH2wks2W
@ISIDEWITH2wks2W
@ISIDEWITH2wks2W
@ISIDEWITH2wks2W
The historical activity of users engaging with this general discussion.
Loading data...
Loading chart...
Loading the political themes of users that engaged with this discussion
Loading data...