It's Time for Bernie to Talk About Himself

[Uncle Joe]

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 down—for long—came 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 candidate’s 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 he’s been such a robust campaigner—and 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 tell—and he shouldn’t 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. It’s 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. It’s 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 they’re ready to give. In this case, Bernie Sanders can take charge of the discussion, acknowledge that he’s 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/

[NurseJackie]

1. I have no confidence that he's healthy enough for the job.

[milestogo]

2. He's probably healthier than Trump.

[NurseJackie]

3. Such a low bar... I'm not sure that's saying very much.

[efhmc]

10. Agreed. Wondering if he and/or others had physicals before starting campaigning.

I am not a fan of BS but want him to be well and continue if that is his goal.

[comradebillyboy]

4. That's a pretty low bar.

[George II]

12. I have a tree stump in my backyard that's healthier than trump.

[RKP5637]

5. I haven't looked recently, but if not, he needs to open up about what is going on with

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.

[NurseJackie]

6. You're correct! I'm sure the BS campaign is aware of that as well. Which tells me...

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.

that can sometimes be hard to erase once perception is set.

Somewhere along the line, a decision was made that it would be MORE DESIRABLE to let the speculation fly... compared to what may happen if the BS campaign had simply been forthcoming and told the full truth.

Based on that, it's my belief that reality is worse than the speculation.

[George II]

7. Ever since his slip in the shower he's looked exhausted, drawn, and not very happy.....

....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.

[TidalWave46]

8. Read it and still don't get it.

The guy loves talking about himself. We often hear him say “I don’t 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.

[NurseJackie]

13. That tells me that things must be pretty damn bad.

Of course there is great concern about his lack of transparency with respect to his serious medical condition but that is politics.

The secretiveness and "news blackout" of anything substantive regarding his health or prognosis tells me that things must be pretty damn bad. If they prefer gossip and speculation over the truth... then the truth must be even worse that everything we've heard so far.

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.

[Uncle Joe]

14. "Gossip and speculation" do tell.

[NurseJackie]

15. This appears to be something the BS campaign prefers, rather than just being forthcoming with facts...

"Gossip and speculation" do tell.

This appears to be something the BS campaign prefers, rather than just being forthcoming with facts and details regarding his health and prognosis.

I wonder why that is... "do tell" indeed.

[TidalWave46]

17. One thing that is very well known.

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.

[George II]

16. I thought it interesting that when Jane spoke to the press outside the hospital....

...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.

[NurseJackie]

18. Jane's "body language" betrays her actual words...

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

[George II]

19. "He's doing great, it's exciting that he's going to be out of here tomorrow or the next day...."

Odd wording. Yes she's trying very hard and I wonder why?

To think some here were calling it an "out patient" procedure!

[TidalWave46]

20. CNN just reported on this.

CNN said they aren't getting a straight answer.

[NurseJackie]

23. Wow! So we're not the only ones who are noticing the evasiveness...

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:

[TidalWave46]

24. They directly addressed the words Jane chose to use. NT

[NurseJackie]

25. It was a bizarre performance...

... I don't understand it.

[cwydro]

31. Yes, I find it a bit perplexing.

Also, telling.

[Gothmog]

34. Agreed-

[LakeArenal]

9. For myself, I feel he needn't tell us any of his health problems

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. It’s an administration that runs the country. Or ruins it,sic...

[NurseJackie]

11. I think a reasonable "precondition" is that the candidate be healthy enough...

Smells to me like “too many preconditions”

In the same way that it's a reasonable "precondition" for a candidate to release their tax returns... I think a reasonable "precondition" is that the candidate be healthy enough that voters can expect him (or her) to be able to actually perform the duties of the office. We deserve to know these things before making a choice.

That is why the Vice President is a vital part of the dynamic.

The VP should be for the unexpected and the unavoidable... not the opposite.

[TidalWave46]

21. "Thirty five year olds die of heart conditions all the time"

Not really. Specially when compared to a 78 year olds.

[LakeArenal]

27. Yes but people to live 120. For me that's a moot point

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 there’s 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 don’t.

Nor do I think a blocked valve or whatever they say it is, is not a disqualifier for any one at any age.

I’m not voting for Sanders mostly because of Al Franken baggage which many share with Bernie. To me, political opportunists are worse than being old.

[TidalWave46]

28. "Yes"

"but people to live 120."

How many?

[LakeArenal]

35. Argue with yourself

My opinion is my opinion.
Yours is yours.
Have a nice day.

[ehrnst]

22. And some Trump supporters think that Trump needn't release his taxes for the same reason.

Personally, I think transparency (honesty) is a good thing in a candidate.

[vsrazdem]

26. OMG, this sounds like when the right wingers were talking about Hillary's illness, and fainting.

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.

[NurseJackie]

29. No it doesn't. You know perfectly well that it's nothing of the sort.

OMG, this sounds like when the right wingers were talking about Hillary's illness, and fainting.

No it doesn't. You know perfectly well that it's nothing of the sort. What we have here is a campaign that isn't being forthcoming with the voters. They are withholding information. They have decided that it's somehow "better" to allow people and the media to speculate rather than to come clean and tell everyone the truth of what's going on. That's a clear indication that the truth is probably even worse than what everyone is imagining and speculating.

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.

[democrank]

33. Indeed

[Callado119]

30. He's 78 years old..

And just had a heart attack. It’s time for him drop out. If it happened to Biden or Warren, there would be unanimous calls for them to drop out immediately..

[democrank]

32. Get well, Bernie.

And thanks for all you do.

[Gothmog]

36. sanders had a heart attack

Link to tweet

[George II]

37. Why wasn't the Sanders Campaign straightforward with the public....

...instead of concealing the fact that he had a heart attack for almost three days?

[NurseJackie]

39. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ EXCELLENT QUESTION!!

Why wasn't the Sanders Campaign straightforward with the public....
...instead of concealing the fact that he had a heart attack for almost three days?

Why wouldn't they be forthcoming and honest from the very beginning? The BS campaign was reporting "no heart attack" as if it were fact, but it wasn't. Why didn't they just say "too early to tell" or "we don't know yet" or words to that effect?

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.

[oasis]

38. After some soul searching, Bernie will do the right thing. nt