Looking at Bernie's face now as he talks to Rachel Maddow

[Samantha]

His face looks noticeably thinner. Looks like he is losing weight. He seems to be working really hard. I hope he takes care of himself.

Sam

[Dem2]

1. I noticed he looks a little different

I figured it was the lighting or makeup.

on Edit, friend of mine just IM'd me "he looks fragile to me"

I said:

"yeah?"

"Someone on DU said he looks thinner"

She said:

"He does" and

"you don't think so?"

____________________


hmm, I'm reconsidering...

[Samantha]

5. Take a closer look

He is looking right into the camera and you can see his face clearly -- the front of it. I think he is noticeably thinner. I think he is also tired, which has nothing to do with this conversation except for the fact not eating and not getting enough rest is a really bad combination. I am sure he thinks he cannot slow down now, but he has got to take care of himself.

Sam

[Dem2]

7. I edited my post - take a look.

You may be correct.

[hopemountain]

66. is this the new anti bernie meme?

the same can be said about the bags around hillary's eyes and her bloated belly?

see how ugly these types of attacks can get?

[Myrina]

93. Of course it is!

Sad, aren't they? SMDH.

[Samantha]

31. It could be loss of water weight

but I am sure he doesn't have the time for meals and hydration that he normally has, and he is pushing himself pretty hard.

He needs some time to recoup but I don't think he can do that at this particular time. Wisconsin votes Tuesday, and that is an important state. Additionally, he is concerned about NY and CAL not to mention NJ. Maybe his wife will find a way to slip in some extra food and rest.

Sam

[Dem2]

34. It must be tough

I know I couldn't do it.

[Rhiannon12866]

42. I feel the same way, just watching them wears me out

I don't know how either candidate keeps up with such a grueling schedule. And the pressure has to be intense. I couldn't do it and I'm certainly younger than they are.

[madokie]

82. Bernie is fighting the good fight

and I do appreciate that he is

[NorthCarolina]

83. It was a result of the split screen used.

It obviously shrunk the frame horizontally. Post interview, when they showed a full screen version of Sen. Sanders without the left half Rachel frame he was back to full size.

[Bluenorthwest]

84. And the prize goes to NorthCarolina.....

Exactly.

[NorthCarolina]

86. I do a lot of

video and graphic editing, so I noticed the problem right away.

[Dem2]

87. They shrunk the poor fellow

At least they could do it symmetrically

[NorthCarolina]

88. They certainly CAN do it proportionally,and in fact

I do believe that they did so with Rachel's half of the screen, however Bernie was on a live feed so perhaps that is why they didn't bother to proportionally scale it (although it would have been a simple operation to do so). I suppose it is also possible that it was intentionally left that way for some "reason" relative to many of the comments of concern posted in this thread.

[blm]

2. Constant campaigning is grueling.

I have seen bad 'rallies' and 'appearances' from even the most competent and seasoned campaigners. I have been amazed at how well Bernie has been holding up. I know I could NEVER have met the needs of even half his schedule.

[Samantha]

8. Neither could I

I don't know how he does it, but I believe he does it for us and not himself. He is a great man.

Sam

[nc4bo]

3. But he sounds strong!

I noticed he might be wearing more tailored suits.

But he is keeping an incredible schedule! I'm sure that his athletic training helps him a whole bunch especially with endurance!

[Samantha]

13. I noticed he has updated his wardrobe!

and his hair looks Presidential too! You might be surprised at how important one's haircut is in Washington, DC. People make a lot of judgment calls the first time they look at you by observing your haircut. I do not know how what works with someone like Steve Schmidt though.... !

Sam

[haikugal]

77. Hair, makeup, $20,000 dresses and plastic surgery...yeah, that's the ticket!!

I like his hair just the way it was....

[Samantha]

97. I liked his hair the way it was before as well -- he certainly is a free thinker about those things

But I guess someone told him he needed to start looking Presidential. The brown suit he recently bought is pretty snazzy. Goes well with his coloring.

Sam

[Skwmom]

80. DC puts form over substance. n/t

[haikugal]

100. Yep....very superficial.

[dogman]

4. Her style can be tedious.

Sometimes it wears me out following her setup.

[Wilms]

11. I tried closing my eyes to avoid the hand waving and face-making.

That helped a little.

[Luminous Animal]

16. It does help. A little.

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

85. I'll try that when Trump is on the television

if I'm too lazy to reach for the remote.

[Myrina]

94. She spends 28 minutes on setup, and 2 minutes on the actual story.

That's why I stopped watching about 3 years ago ... it was infuriating.

[DesertFlower]

6. running for prez is a tiring job.

[nolabear]

9. How interesting you say that. I was thinking his lips look a little cyanotic.

Could be the light. But I did notice it. Hell, though, I'd be crawling on my hands and knees by now.

[Samantha]

15. I was drawing people's portraits by the time I was five years old

I think I came out of the womb studying people's faces. I just automatically do it. My Mom drew all the time, so I guess I just thought that was the normal thing to do!

I think you are right about his lips. How does he stay hydrated?

Sam

[nolabear]

20. I'd be thinking about oxygen. He seems vigorous enough, though this can't be easy.

I don't know but I imagine they all have someone to carefully keep them hydrated, fed, reasonably well slept, and that that fails from time to time.

[Samantha]

24. This is an extremely rigid schedule he is keeping and now that he is getting more press

there is even more demand on his time. And look at the importance of the upcoming states. Jumping from time zone to time zone might be hard on him too because he is doing it repeatedly within sharp time restrictions. Your body needs a little time to catch up, but for him, there is no time ....

Sam

[w4rma]

10. Bernie is working hard for us. (nt)

[BernieforPres2016]

12. I think you're seeing things

He doesn't look a bit different to me than he has for the last several months.

[Samantha]

17. I am not seeing things

I have watched Bernie Sanders for years before he announced he was running. Take another look.

Sam

[BernieforPres2016]

23. Nonsense. Complete nonsense. He hasn't lost any weight in his face.

[Samantha]

26. Thank you for your opinion (eom)

[BernieforPres2016]

28. That's the kind of crap I'd expect from a Hillary supporter

Don't worry, I won't bother you again because I won't see any more of your posts.

[Cali_Democrat]

57. Well aren't you just a ball of sunshine. nt

[agracie]

62. Perhaps the poster needs to ask him/herself WWBD ?

[CountAllVotes]

76. true dat!

He looks fine to me btw. More energy than ever in my humble opinion!

Bernie Sanders for President 2016!!

#FeelTheBern !!!!

[demwing]

89. "Nonsense" - really? That's a somewhat severe response

To a benign post...

[BernieforPres2016]

92. I don't think the post was benign

I have seen plenty of this passive aggressive crap from Hillary supporters trying to say that Bernie is too old. The original post was complete bullshit. I have a 50 inch high definition TV. Bernie didn't look a bit different than he's looked for the last few months. His face isn't "noticably thinner". It is a smear, complete bullshit.

[demwing]

99. I think you're being too sensitive

YMMV

[mythology]

14. Running for president isn't easy on anybody

I think he's physically held up really well.

Personally even at 34, I'd be curled up in the fetal position wanting the entire world to go away.

[xloadiex]

18. The only thing I see

is he may have a little bit of that cold Wisconsin windburn on his cheeks.

[Samantha]

21. I think you are right about that

His skin is sagging a tad more around his smile lines. I think he has lost just a few pounds.

Rachel just said she knew his time was very limited, and that he was stretched pretty thin. Kind of humorous in light of this conversation.

Bernie Sanders is a hero to me. I just can't believe his stamina. He must be driven by pure determination.

Sam

[jillan]

19. He combed his hair. Other than that I think he looks great.

[JudyM]

36. Ha ha! "... other than that..."

[paulthompson]

22. The guy is like the Energizer Bunny!

He hardly ever takes a day off, and he has lots of events per day.

I remember reading the day before the 3/15 primaries, he had events in three different states, took part in a town hall, and then went back to another state for a midnight rally.

I wouldn't be surprised if he has twice as many public events as Clinton. She spends about half her time going to private fundraisers, and takes more days off, and so on.

It's interesting how so few people talk about Sanders' age. I think that's because he acts so vigorous every day. Compare that to Bill Clinton. Hillary is still vigorous, but sadly, Bill has really aged lately.

[merrily]

25. You see Hillary as vigorous? Compared to what?

[paulthompson]

37. Maybe that's not the right word

What I mean is, I don't see anything wrong with her. She seems in perfectly fine health for her age. Whereas Bill does not. I saw a clip from him recently, and then one from a few years ago, and the difference was concerning.

[merrily]

79. He seems frail; she does not. But I don't at all think she seems healthy for her age

or vigorous at all.

[Samantha]

27. I think Bill Clinton had to go on a rigorous diet because of his heart problem

He started losing weight right about that. I guess no more McDonald's for him. Remember how he use to jog and then stop by there?

Sam

[Samantha]

29. I said that the other day -- he is the Energizer Bunny!

It is so true. I don't know how he does it.

Sam

[jillan]

30. Can I just say what is up with this post do you want me to start talking about how Hillary looked?

Is the intention here to bash Bernie for his age?

If it's not that then what is it?

[ScreamingMeemie]

33. It came across as honest concern to me.

When I was full-force behind a candidate, I was always concerned for their health/safety. I can't speak for the poster, but I didn't read it as a bash.

[jillan]

35. And if I asked the same question about Hillary oh my God I would be called a sexist

[ScreamingMeemie]

39. Hey, hey now... we are all on the same side here.

I also looked at this person's profile. It supports my thoughts. I happen to think they both look worn down. It's been a vicious, horrible primary.

[JI7]

54. the difference is the OP is a regular Sanders supporter

which is one reason i did not think it was an attack.

[Samantha]

40. It is an honest concern on my part

and I was just wondering if anyone else noticed what I noticed.

Thanks for your understanding.

Sam

[ScreamingMeemie]

41. There are still a few of us left here...

who don't take everything as a slam against the candidate we support. I don't spend too much time here in this forum because of it. I've had my head bitten off in equal portions by supporters of both candidates. Have a nice night.

[Samantha]

43. You have a nice evening as well

and thank you so much for the kind message. You have a nice night too.

I am not leaving this forum because I have been at this site since 2001. I am not deliberately rude to anyone, and I don't engage with those who are. So stick around; I look forward to running into you again.

Sam

[ScreamingMeemie]

44. LOL... 68,104 posts and 13 years kind of shows I'm in it for the long haul,

but this forum (General Discussion: Primaries) is a cesspool. You'll see me daily in other spots.

[Samantha]

38. I am concerned about him because he is pushing himself so hard

I have a record of chastising posters here who complain about people's age. The practice of ageism is a discrimination just as is sexism, racism.

Sam

[Rhiannon12866]

45. I certainly understand.

That been my concern, too. I know that I couldn't do it and can't help worrying about him as well. It has to be grueling no matter what age you are.

[Samantha]

46. Thank you, Rhiannon12866

I think we all have to look out for each other, but we especially have to look out for BERNIE SANDERS. He is a one of a kind who cannot be replaced.

See you around.

Sam

[Rhiannon12866]

47. I completely agree...

[JI7]

51. the OP is a regular Sanders supporter and not much of a Clinton Fan

[hopemountain]

68. are you sure? prove it. nt.

[JI7]

72. look up her posts

[hopemountain]

67. yes, jillian - it is an attempt to

weaken bernie's image by being ageist and shallow. i thought bernie looked great. but see, desperation taint's one's common sense and sense of fairness to grasp for what ever little thing they can throw out to plant doubt. mean spirited weak minded attempts....

[tokenlib]

32. Bernie is amazing! He is giving it his all...

..and we can all be proud of him. I'm praying for him and getting the plug out of the piggy bank.

[appalachiablue]

48. Great respect is what I have for committed, hard working people like Bernie.

He is exceptional and doing an outstanding job in this campaign since he cares deeply about Americans, the country and democracy, and it shows, big time. Lucky us. Always slim and possessed with excellent health, Bernie performed as a running champion and captain of the Track and Cross Country Teams in HS. And that's where he gets the mega focus, stamina, endurance and ability to do what's best for his schedule and constitution. Human faces I know from studying and working in the arts, and my husband, who also excelled in sports when young has many of the same basic physical qualities, especially pacing, that are needed for that field. Last summer when Bernie so-hosted a policy forum that I was fortunate to attend, seeing him speak in person was a monumental occasion to remember, that's for sure.

[Samantha]

56. Wow, such an interesting post with great observations

Nice picture too! I had not seen that one.

You were indeed fortunate to be able to attend that forum. I bet it was fascinating.

It is a good thing elections are conducted within limited timeframes. This one has been so very stressful. I have always loved Presidential contests, but this one has taken so many serious turns, I am starting to feel exhausted. And I am not even running!

Sam

[Sunlei]

49. This is exhausting for both Sanders & Clinton. didn't like seeing Sanders outside, no shade in Az.

Clinton is more used to long hours & lots of travel, she probably knows how to get real blocks of rest & sleep. I don't think Sanders color has always been the healthiest looking, sometimes he seems 'reddish', high blood pressure? to me. They have to be tired, its hard 7 day week for months & neither is in their 50s.

I wish more then ever for Clinton & Sanders to team-up, get closer together on policies and focus on republicans together.

[closeupready]

50. I thought he looked great in AZ from a suntan, younger even.

Losing weight takes years off one's appearance. Obesity is very damaging to one's health.

[Lodestar]

52. I'm much younger than Bernie and don't think I could do it

Surely it's absolutely exhausting and you have to be accessible 24/7.
Props and respect.

[JI7]

53. he could be the type that loses weight easily and campaigning takes A LOT of energy

it might be a good idea to add more calories to his diet during the times they are more busy than usual.

if he is in overall ok health i would take advantage of the busy times to eat foods you usually need to cut back on.

[MFM008]

55. He looks like hes 75 years old

Thats his problem.

[Peace Patriot]

58. All the young flocking to the old geezer...

...honest as the day he was born, full of wisdom and truth, not just another hairdo or cynical bot running for office on corporate money, someone of whom the young say: Vote Bernie Sanders - He is not an asshole!

His age & straight shooter integrity year after year are among his greatest advantages!

Note: the apostrophe is your friend. (Take it from an old geezer lady English teacher! I want to correct your paper. Can't help myself.)

[Samantha]

60. Too bad we can only recommend threads and not posts

I would certainly recommend yours if that were possible.

You are a pretty astute person, and thanks for posting on my thread.

Sam

[Peace Patriot]

69. Thank you! That is high praise coming from you, Sam!

I admire and look for your posts!

[Samantha]

59. Age is a frame of mind

Bernie is timeless.

Sam

[polly7]

90. Exactly.

To me, he has the mind and stamina many even decades younger don't have.

Sometimes three events a day - and, double the speaking, as he also addresses those outside his rallies unable to get in. That is something.

He knows how hard he and his supporters have to fight for every vote and is tireless in trying to make real all those hopes and goals people have come to love him for for bringing to the table. I hope so much that when this is all over he gets at least a good solid week of rest before he starts his run against whoever the GOP coughs up.

[senz]

61. I just watched the interview. She's so goddam hostile, it's a wonder

he could hold it together. No one likes hostile interviews with gotcha questions.

Watching it, I wanted to protect him. Not because he's "old" but because he's working his ass off for the people of this country and Rachel Maddow is hell bent on destroying him.

Like I said on another thread, I hope he never has to do another interview with her again.

[appalachiablue]

63. When he said 'what's Trumps's position on climate change, Rachel?' that

was beautiful. He knows their games and I'm glad he said this directly to her in the manner that he did. Like you, I was also thinking that Bernie should not deal with her, or her $7 mill salary and point of view again. Some twisted sister who right after the show tweeted that Bernie doesn't seem to care about the abortion issue. Incredible.

[senz]

64. Yes, he is very intelligent, alert and aware.

The whole tone of the interview was so negative. I lost all respect for Rachel.

That tweet, omg, it makes me ill how they use these divisive issues against their natural allies -- like Bernie.

I hope their dirty race/sex games end up biting them on the butt.

I'm becoming extremely fed up with Hill people. Not nice at all.

[Peace Patriot]

71. Yes, Bernie is extremely good at dealing with the often hostile press.

So is Jane.

Bernie is generally several steps ahead of reporters--very adept at turning questions back into his message. He doesn't respond to hostility just steers the interview back to the issues.

I saw a vid where Jane did this, too. We get too for one.

I have to say this, since we're dealing with physical appearance. I LOVE how Jane looks and dresses. She looks like someone who might be walking down the lane in my rural area offering homegrown tomatoes from her garden.

She seems so FAMILIAR. And she is such a contrast to the heavy-make-uped, red painted lipped, white-teethed, SKINNY Barbie doll types who interview her. We all know that Corporate look! And there's Jane, as natural as she can be--her skin glowing, her hair flowing, her natural smile, her natural and comfortable-looking clothes. What a unique First Lady she would make. It's fun to think about her downhome persona hitting "the Beltway." She will change it, for sure. I sense a deep cultural revolutionary beneath the rosy cheeks.

[snowy owl]

74. I'm feeling that same thing - sort of done with Clintonites

No issues, no informed opinions or few, it is getting harder and harder to care what they think.

[MisterP]

101. they're professional agitators for the establishment, status-quo rent-a-radicals

they seem not to have any other jobs, are always angry and demanding that they be validated, always invert the situation, always put everything in the strongest terms possible

[questionseverything]

103. i missed the first show and it was late

but i watched a couple minutes of the rerun and i was so pissed at rachel for her stupid "process" questions

she was acting like some "gotta moment" over the campaign saying they didn't "compete" in some places when he had held rallys there

OBVIOUSLY the campaign meant they did not put a lot of money of ads there (which rachel could of found out from du)

i turned it off after about 5 minutes

we need bernie desperately and rachel is playing beltway games

[Samantha]

65. I was surprised

I remember when she had a townhall with him, one on one, and she reached over and put her hand on his hand. The way she was smiling at him, I thought, "she really does like him."

Where did that go? Do you think she is supporting Hillary because she thinks she will get a Press Secretary job with her? I know it is to the advantage of NBC/Comcast to support the corporate candidate, but there seems to be more than that going on.

Sam

[snowy owl]

75. Press Secretary? Maybe...

I think she's the type of person who hit the big time and is all over herself. She's hard to watch for me and I bailed several years ago on her actually. I've recently bailed MSNBC except for special items like Bernie interviews and cruising (check ins) but rarely stay. Half her show is fluff. I don't know why anyone watches her.

[Samantha]

98. That is the very job I was wondering if she was after

I guess we will see how it all pans out.

Sam

[polly7]

91. I used to like that in her ....... when she did it to *holes. Seeing her being so

baiting and hostile to such an obvious (she's known of him for years, so none of his qualities are new to her) good man has made me loathe her.

[Kentonio]

70. It's always sobering to see how quickly Presidents age once in office

And I imagine the strain of a national campaign contributes to that. We make them run basically non-stop for nearly two years prior to the first election, and then once in office they're under the spotlight non-stop.

Was it last April when Bernie entered the race? You have to figure a couple more months before that of preparation, so we're probably talking around 13-14 months now of intense hours, pressure and strain. It's a remarkable testament to him that he continues to hold up so well. It also puts a little perspective into things like that nonsense the other day about him seeming to be slightly rude towards Jane. When you're working that hard for so long, you're going to have moments where you don't look as graceful as you normally would, and its ridiculous to expect otherwise.

For the sake of fairness incidentally, I'd extend the same appreciation to Hillary. They're both advanced in years and they're both standing up to the pressure very well.

[snowy owl]

73. I think he dislikes facing another round of stupid questions from Maddow

He knows he's going to have to avoid the distracting junk and he knows he'll be treated like crap when he leaves but he comes anyway and makes the best of it. And, of course the questions were stupid (why Trump questions?) and of course he was trashed afterwards. What would you be looking like if you were facing that kind of asinine journalism over and over?

[EdwardBernays]

78. Let's hope

That none of Hillary's documented medical problems fell her either.

[Vinca]

81. He's probably pooped.

I don't think I've ever seen a politician of any age work harder for the nomination than Bernie. He believes so much in what he is saying, I don't think failure is an option for him. At some point, though, he needs to sell "Feel the Bern" energy drinks. I need them.

[Avalux]

95. This thread is hysterical. IT WAS THE LIGHTING.

Have you bothered to look at any other video of Bernie from the same day, the day before?

[Samantha]

96. I did observed the lighting and I do watch Bernie videos often twice a day

His face is thinner.

Sam

[hrmjustin]

102. His lips looked purple but it might have been the lighting.

Could be he was just extra tired yesterday. He will live to be 100.

[dr60omg]

104. Yes but you know I would ask about Clinton

Bernie Sanders did not get a 600 dollar hair cut and 600 dollar color job that day at Bergdorf's?
Bernie Sanders does not use botox and other fillers.
He may be thinner but campaigning often does that to some people and to other people like Secretary Clinton campaigning makes her bloat and change her accents. What about that accent flip?

Campaigning is exhausting and remember Bernie Sanders has never travelled in the fashion as Bernie has ad does and he isn't missing votes and he is still representing his constituents ... Do you want to try again?

[Samantha]

105. I am a huge Sanders fan; I asked the question because I am concerned about him

I wanted to know if anyone else observed what I thought I saw. It is just that simple.

Sam