Bernie and the Fever

By Jeralyn, Section Elections 2020
Posted on Sat Oct 05, 2019 at 01:39:50 PM EST
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First, my best wishes to Bernie Sanders for a full and speedy recovery from his heart attack.

I don't think he will drop out of the race yet. He's got The Fever. He's a man on a mission. His life would lose meaning without his ability to take the stage and like John Reed (Warren Beatty) in Reds, spread his gospel to young voters.

Bernie, in my view, isn't really running for President, He knew that passed him by when Hillary got the nomination in 2016. This time around, he's trying to change the mindset of voters on the issues. He wants to be heard. He knows this will be his legacy -- the pied piper of a movement that won't succeed until way after he's gone, but when it does, he wants to be remembered as someone who was in the forefront, ahead of his time.

[More...]

The problem is, just like in 2016, he needs to think about what's good for the public, not just what's good for Bernie.

The minute he knows that he cannot get elected (and no 78 year old with a recent heart attack stands a chance) he owes it to the Democrats to step down rather than continue a divisive primary fight.

He should pass the mantle to Elizabeth Warren and let her be the voice for the policies they both so passionaltely care about. Momentum is important. The sooner it's clear who will win the nomination (and I do not believe it will be Joe Biden who I will not endorse) the others need to drop out and throw their support behind the winner. Only with an early united front, do the Democrats stand a chance of winning.

I hope Bernie's stents stay open and do their job of unblocking his coronary arteries. I really do wish him a full recovery and many years to come. I also think it's time for him to think about what's best for the Democrats -- not just Bernie-- and step aside. I don't mind him staying on for the next debate, but after that, he needs to say goodnight and endorse Elizabeth Warren. If he has the physical stamina, he should use it to campaign for her.

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Bernie and the Fever | 19 comments (19 topical)

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Happy Monday (5.00 / 3) (#14)
by CaptHowdy on Mon Oct 07, 2019 at 08:19:32 AM EST

A federal judge on Monday rejected a bold argument from President Trump that sitting presidents are immune from criminal investigations, a ruling that allowed the Manhattan district attorney's office to move forward with a subpoena seeking eight years of the president's personal and corporate tax returns.

Lawyers for Mr. Trump quickly told the court they would appeal the ruling from Judge Victor Marrero of Manhattan federal court. An appeal is likely to mean further delays.

In a 75-page ruling, Judge Marrero called the president's argument "repugnant to the nation's governmental structure and constitutional values." Presidents, their families and businesses are not above the law, the judge ruled.

The NYTimes (none / 0) (#15)
by KeysDan on Mon Oct 07, 2019 at 09:35:57 AM EST

characterization of Trump's argument as "bold" is off. Better: "insolent"---insultingly contemptuous.


Temporary (none / 0) (#16)
by KeysDan on Mon Oct 07, 2019 at 09:56:55 AM EST

administrative stay granted by Second Circuit Court of Appeals. Within 90 minutes.


I read (none / 0) (#17)
by CaptHowdy on Mon Oct 07, 2019 at 09:59:46 AM EST

The presidents lawyers made a big deal of an early ruling so they could do that.

The fast turn around.


: I guess the judge (none / 0) (#18)
by CaptHowdy on Mon Oct 07, 2019 at 11:42:45 AM EST

Also threw some shade at the OLC opinion that a president can't be indicted.

An administrative stay is only (none / 0) (#19)
by Peter G on Mon Oct 07, 2019 at 04:32:15 PM EST

a stay for the short period needed for the appeals court judges to make a thoughtful decision on whether a stay is appropriate. Although in this case a stay is pretty likely, since once the returns are disclosed it is too hard to close that barn door in the event that the appellate court does not affirm the decision.


He should (none / 0) (#1)
by CST on Sat Oct 05, 2019 at 01:45:34 PM EST

But he won't. He buys into the "great man" fallacy that he is irreplaceable and only he can achieve the things he wants to achieve. The thing is - literally everyone is replaceable, and he probably can't achieve even half of what he wants to.

But this is a problem we have, not just in politicians, but also CEOs, etc... That no one else can do what they do so they need to do/ deserve to receive - whatever it takes.

: CST, you mean just like (none / 0) (#8)
by fishcamp on Sat Oct 05, 2019 at 06:48:25 PM EST

Trump...

In it to Win it... (none / 0) (#2)
by hardindr on Sat Oct 05, 2019 at 02:32:18 PM EST

I will have to respectfully disagree with Jeralyn. I believe Bernie believes he can win, and I believe he can win. If he didn't think he could win, he would not have assembled a campaign staff like this and undertaken the kind of hard, event filled campaign he is doing. Bernie and Warren are friends, but, they both want to win, so I don't see Bernie dropping out, unless he and his family decide that is in the best interest of his health and his family. I believe regardless of the delegate count, Bernie will run to the convention. If other candidates want to do that as well, that is fine.

Charles de Gaulle is reported to have said (none / 0) (#3)
by KeysDan on Sat Oct 05, 2019 at 03:13:17 PM EST

that the graveyards are full of indispensable people. But, age did not prevent him from assuming the presidency at age 69 and serving in that position until age 79 (he died at age 80). And, so it may be with Bernie---intellectually he knows that he is not irreplaceable, but emotionally, he feels that he must carry on. A itch that must be scratched...by him.

While we do not know the extent of the heart muscle damage, we do know that, even if mild to moderate, it will take a while for appropriate cardiac rehabilitation (e,g.anti-coagulants for a period, and an exercise program).

Bernie is 78 years old (b.Sept. 8, 1941) and has, until now, been in good health save for the some usual maladies of the elderly (e.g. gout). If Bernie's lungs are in good shape, that may be more critical than his age--but age is certainly a big factor.

The primary has a long way to go, and Trump, in the general, will be as slimy as a sewer rat. Apologies to sewer rats.

If it were me, or a family member, I would urge Bernie to end his presidential campaign, having the knowledge that he influenced policy directions
and may continue to affect the lives of Americans as a US Senator. But, I am not him or a family member--so he will continue on. Not good for him nor us.

Like when Manning came in for oswieler (none / 0) (#4)
by kdm251 on Sat Oct 05, 2019 at 03:40:30 PM EST

A diminished Peyton Manning was still better than a fully functioning Brock Oswieler

: That was true. (none / 0) (#10)
by Donald from Hawaii on Sat Oct 05, 2019 at 11:01:55 PM EST

At least, it was until Peyton and the Broncos had the misfortune to face the Seahawks in Super Bowl XLVIII. The very first play from scrimmage set the tone for what happened afterward.
;-D

Well, (none / 0) (#5)
by Ga6thDem on Sat Oct 05, 2019 at 04:16:48 PM EST

I agree that Bernie is not going to be the nominee nor is he going to be president though his age is 78 not 76 as you have above.

Bernie may make it to the debate this month but I can't imagine him looking too great or being able to perform well. This is the third health related event Bernie has had since announcing he was running. He really should think about whether he wants to downhill quick by continuing to campaign or enjoy his grandchildren.

Bernie and the Fever (none / 0) (#6)
by CaptHowdy on Sat Oct 05, 2019 at 05:08:46 PM EST

sounds like a band

He's going to drop out (none / 0) (#7)
by jondee on Sat Oct 05, 2019 at 06:36:04 PM EST

and get behind Warren. In a nice way.

Pretty sure of that.

: After New Hampshire (none / 0) (#9)
by MKS on Sat Oct 05, 2019 at 07:11:49 PM EST

After Rubio (none / 0) (#11)
by CaptHowdy on Sun Oct 06, 2019 at 08:46:31 AM EST

I was thinking is it possible they are going to go with "he was joking", "spinning up the media"? "You don't really think he would ask China for help, do you?"

Well yes, unbelievably. That seems the plan. I just watched Gym Jordon spend 20 minutes doing exactly that.

I was thinking yesterday, man, that would be transparently desperate.

: Aimed at the other thread (none / 0) (#12)
by CaptHowdy on Sun Oct 06, 2019 at 08:47:41 AM EST

and missed.

Bernie (none / 0) (#13)
by Coral on Sun Oct 06, 2019 at 11:09:12 AM EST

I don't know how ANYONE at any age can withstand the rigors of campaigning for president. Don't know how Obama did it in 2008, though he was young and in great health.

Wish Bernie would bow out gracefully, either endorse Liz or endorse whoever is the eventual nominee.

Maybe he could be a consultant to one of the campaigns...on health care or labor.

I'm for Warren, but would be happy with most of the other front runners, and a few of the lower-polling candidates.

Very happy to see Medicare-for-All or even for "all who want it" as major campaign issue. I saw one parent die early because they waited until qualifying for Medicare before seeking treatment for cancer. Grateful to Bernie for going whole-heartedly for the best possible option, not pre-compromising with people who are never going to buy in to anything.