Rob Rogers for February 23, 2019

The fresh face for Bernie voters for 2020 should be Elizabeth Warren. There is not an inch of daylight between them on issues, but she has more depth, more substance and is the best of Bernie … on steroids.

Love Bernie Sanders and supported him in the 2016 primary (also stayed with him as he endorsed and voted for Hillary as the only viable alternative to the Trump chaotic tyranny that is now wreaking havoc in the lives of so many communities). We owe much to Bernie for proving that a candidate can be successful while refusing money from any PAC, corporation or lobbyist and that universal Medicare for all, universal education, climate change and inequality are issues that resonate in the real lives of real people.

But far and away my first choice for 2020 will be Elizabeth Warren. I had hoped she would run for 2016 and was so disappointed that she didn’t. As an actual Democrat, I believe she would have won the primary and the general if she had.

For the 2016 campaign, Bernie (who I supported in the primaries after Elizabeth Warren took herself out of the running) waited for her to unambiguously close the door on running (which she did at the end of 2014) before he announced his candidacy. He had earlier said that “if a true progressive didn’t run” (and everyone knew he was referring to Elizabeth) that he would get into the race.

I do not fault Bernie for using the tactics he does surrounding nominations. He has done it repeatedly and successfully in VT, and will look to do it again after nearly succeeding in 2016. He is using the system as the two parties have constructed it to beat them at their game. That is one cagey old man. But there’s the rub. He is 78 now, 79 in the election year, 80 in the year he takes office, and potentially running for reelection at 83! If he is reelected, he could be leaving office at 87/88. That would make me nervous, should I still be looking at grass from above.

Bernie’s minions!

The Death March of the Neo-Liberals Act II: We MUST have a conservative Democrat so we can lose again

Can’t put my finger on it, but there is something just a little off about Bernie. Nope, I’ll pass.

This worries me as I don’t see someone that convinces me that they could win the general election.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-47309795

We can’t go wrong with candidates that emulate Bernie. As others have pointed out, Bernie is pushing 80. We need young blood. Why did Elizabeth claim to be American Indian? That’s going to be held against her. Surely, out of all those running someone of character will rise to the top!

Bernie can and should take credit for bringing progressive issues to the table. His children, most of the younger democrats, can now carry on with the crusade. He then should continue to take additional credit by campaigning heavily for the party’s nominee. But running for President at my age is a no no.

I regularly agree with your excellent comments but Warren jumped onto Hillary’s (DNC’s ) plot to cheat Bernie. If she is nominated by the DNC again usurping Bernie’s true popular support I will hold my nose and vote for her for the practical reasons you point out.

After receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from the University of Chicago in 1964, Sanders primarily worked a series of odd jobs while attempting to get his political career off the ground, and a Politico article observed that he “didn’t collect his first steady paycheck until he was an elected official pushing 40 years old.” However, that same article did list a variety of jobs Sanders held (even if they weren’t steady or didn’t provide a livable wage) before he finally reached public office upon being elected mayor of Burlington, Vermont, at age 39 — working as an aide at a psychiatric hospital, as a Head Start preschool teacher, as a carpenter, and as a freelance writer for local publications:

Sanders rented a small brick duplex at 295 1/2 Maple Street that was filled with not much furniture and not much food in the fridge but stacks of checked-out library books and scribbled-on legal pads.

“Pretty sparse,” Gene Bergman, an old friend, said about the apartment.

https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/bernie-sanders-loser-meme/

Sanders silent on claim that Russians backed him in 2016

By GABRIEL DEBENEDETTI 02/16/2018 03:46 PM EST

Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders declined to directly address Friday’s revelation that Russian actors sought to boost his presidential primary campaign and sink Hillary Clinton’s in 2016, instead insisting that the special counsel’s investigation proceed unimpeded.

https://www.politico.com/story/2018/02/16/bernie-sanders-russia-2016-election-interference-415691

Actually, Bernie, some Democrats want a DEMOCRAT to run under the Democratic banner in 2020 – and, by your own admission, “that AIN’T you!”

“I’m Bernie Sanders, and so’s my wife!”

I would be fine if Ms Warren was his VP if not President.

I do and will support Bernie. He has been consistent throughout his life, is experienced and trustworthy. He is a GOOD person, which we desperately need !

I’m very tired of Bernie Sanders. He wants the Democratic nomination, yet won’t even declare himself a Democrat. He’s the guy at the block party who brings a small cole slaw and stays to eat all the hot dogs.

I don’t know anyone who genuinely supports Bernie’s policies who say the Dems should run some “fresh face.” Funny how few of the Dems’ arguments against running Bernie involves his actual policies.

Bernie is a fraud and too old. Besides, why would anyone think it’s a good idea to trust a guy who pushes socialism but owns 3 homes and is worth millions? Same with Lizzie. She gets the rabble in a lather about the evil wealthy yet she’s worth somewhere around $10m. I’ll pass on supporting people who belong to the 1% yet tell me the 1% are the problem.

Trump was starting to become senile before he ran for office, and he’s younger than Bernie. Yes, yes, I KNOW that 110 is the new 90. But still.

The funny/tragic thing is, if Warren had run and Clinton (no point calling her “Hillary”, intelligent people can tell the difference) had not run, Warren would be the president today. And Vladimir Putin would be up the Crimea without a paddle……..

All excellent comments, I generally agree with them all. One thing that struck me odd about the ’toon’s message though, is that it seems in contradiction to (or ignoring) Bernie’s fund raising stats.

guyjen2004 about 4 hours ago

Bernie is a fraud and too old. Besides, why would anyone think it’s a good idea to trust a guy who pushes socialism but owns 3 homes and is worth millions? Same with Lizzie. She gets the rabble in a lather about the evil wealthy yet she’s worth somewhere around $10m. I’ll pass on supporting people who belong to the 1% yet tell me the 1% are the problem.

and

guyjen2004 about 1 hour ago

I have zero effect on who Bernie is and what he thinks or does. My criticism isn’t so much for him, anyway, it’s really aimed at those who seem to miss the fact that the socialist is a loaded one-percenter. Good for him, I say. I have no problem with people being rich as long as they did it legally and paid their taxes according to the law. If people are dumb enough to buy into his con and make him wealthy then caveat emptor. Besides, I wouldn’t change old, crazy Bernie even if I could. He’s more fun this way :)

I’ll tell you what: Why don’t you two hash this thing out together? Looks like you have some issues to work out, and I’d just be in the way.

Mandela was older than Bernie when he was elected.

I was about to apologize to guyjen2004 because I corrected him/her/it the other day when I meant to correct george harmon. (Like there’s much difference…….) But then, you see, he POSTED……….

No we don’t.

The game hasn’t actually begun. In fact, they’re just positioning themselves for the face-off.

Love this one, Rob!!

Compare this to the reality of a million volunteers and $10 million, all in the first week!!

She’s too young, He’s too old. Phew! Saved by the bell!

D.T.