Biden mum on running for second term if elected

[bluewater]

Former Vice President Joe Biden in a new interview would not discuss the possibility of running for a second term in the White House if he is elected in 2020.

The Associated Press asked the Democratic candidate if he would promise to serve only one term. Biden responded by saying he would not make that vow.

“I feel good and all I can say is, watch me, you’ll see,” Biden said. “It doesn’t mean I would run a second term. I’m not going to make that judgment at this moment.”
Biden, 76, also said it's "legitimate" to ask about his age.

“Right now it’s a legitimate question to ask, just like it was legitimate to ask me when I was 29 years old running for the Senate, did I have enough judgment to be a senator,” Biden told the AP. “Right now, my age has brought with it a significant amount of experience in government and hopefully wisdom and some sound judgment.”

Biden is the second-oldest candidate in the Democratic field, behind Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), who is 78. Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), another Democratic frontrunner, is 70 years old. President Trump, 73, is running for his second term.

Biden would be 81 at the start a second presidential term, while Sanders, who recently suffered a heart attack, would be 82.

https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/467643-biden-suggests-he-may-only-serve-one-term-as-president

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

1. Joe is smarter than that... why not commit to a second term? Under the assumption that he's healthy

enough for the job.


Bernie/Elizabeth or Elizabeth/Bernie 2020!!
Either way, they're stronger together!!
Welcome to the revolution!!!

[bluewater]

8. Excellent point. Why didn't Biden just say of course he would run for a 2nd term?

Isn't he raising doubts about his age himself by not committing to a second term?

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

13. Makes ZERO sense!! Amazing for a politician with Joe's wealth of experience.

Bernie/Elizabeth or Elizabeth/Bernie 2020!!
Either way, they're stronger together!!
Welcome to the revolution!!!

[genxlib]

2. THIS is why I would prefer a younger candidate

Giving up an incumbent advantage would be a major disappointment. But it would be soooo Democratic of us.

[Blue_true]

38. Whoever survives the scrum and becomes our nominee is the best choice.

If a young-un can't beat grandpa or grandma, what does that say about the young-un?

[beastie boy]

3. Sounds good to me! Go Biden!

[HeartlandProgressive]

7. here are some health issues highlighted in Joe's 2008 medical records

Biden's doctors disclosed he suffered from an irregular heartbeat as recently as 2006.

Joe Biden's brain surgeon is defending Joe Biden's brain
https://theweek.com/speedreads/860046/joe-bidens-brain-surgeon-defending-joe-bidens-brain

Perhaps you think 1981 is ancient history, but here is what doctors said in 2008 when Biden last released medical records:

But the documents did not include any records about recent exams related to Biden’s near-fatal aneurysms in 1988.

The 49 pages of Biden’s medical history showed to the media included a report on his treatment following two surgeries for the aneurysms, which caused Biden to take a seven-month leave of absence from the Senate. Though some doctors say the likelihood that Biden will suffer another aneurysm is low, he is supposed to undergo regular examinations for weaknesses in his veins, which doctors say could cause a reoccurrence.

https://www.politico.com/story/2008/10/biden-appears-healthy-from-records-014768

And Biden has have other health issues.

Biden hasn’t disclosed his medical history since 2008, when he last sought the presidency and ended up as Barack Obama’s running mate on the winning Democratic ticket. At that time, doctors disclosed he suffered from an irregular heartbeat as recently as 2006. The records also showed he took aspirin and was prescribed medication to help lower his cholesterol.
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/joe-biden-fitness-mental_n_5d7bf90ee4b077dcbd5dfa1d

In addition to the 1988 episode, Biden has suffered from atrial fibrillation, or an irregular heartbeat, most recently in 2006. According to the records, he first experienced the problem after having his gallbladder removed in June 2003. It occurred again in July 2006, and he sought further treatment in November 2006. Doctors said the ailment probably is linked to Biden’s reoccurring problem of sleep apnea, in which people suffer from pauses in breathing or shallow breaths while sleeping

https://www.politico.com/story/2008/10/biden-appears-healthy-from-records-014768

The only other major procedure that popped up in Biden’s records was a colonoscopy in 1996 to remove a polyp found to be benign. He also has been diagnosed with an enlarged prostate, for which he takes Flomax.

Biden has dealt with chronic asthma and allergies since childhood. He is prescribed Claritin-D and Flonase for the allergies, and he has scheduled sinus surgery in April to help alleviate some of his discomfort.
https://www.politico.com/story/2008/10/biden-appears-healthy-from-records-014768

Two brain surgeries, irregular heartbeat, high cholesterol requiring medication, colon polyp surgery, medicated for an enlarged prostate, sinus surgery, removal of his gall bladder... and that was all before 2008.

This is why I feel there is a risk of unforeseen health issues arising during the General Election and that would be a disaster us.

It's just too big a risk to take on a candidate that will be 77 when running against Trump.

[beastie boy]

9. Is this a subtle dig at Bernie?

He is older, and his medical record doesn't look any better.

Having said this... Go Bernie! I have no issues with his health, only his ideology and methods.

[bluewater]

11. You have no issues with a candidate that just had a heart attack?

I love Bernie, he's a progressive icon and many of his supporters are my friends here on DU, but even I would think the recent heart attack is a huge issue.

And I didn't realize Biden is still being monitored for weak veins that might lead to another brain aneurysm, but that is a huge issue too, along with his other documented health conditions, that would make me very nervous having him running against tRump in 2020.

[beastie boy]

14. So you ruled out voting for Bernie, right?

If I had issues with a candidate who just had a heart attack, it wouldn't be his health. As I mentioned before, it would be his ideology and methods.

[bluewater]

15. "If I had issues with a candidate who just had a heart attack, it wouldn't be his health."

Ok...



Hey, can I ask a question about your Journal?

[beastie boy]

16. You already asked me a question about my journal.

Just look at my latest reply to HeartlandProgressive. Aren't you embarrassed?

[bluewater]

18. Embarrassed by what?

And what are you even going on about?

I didn't ask you about your Journal before.

[beastie boy]

22. "You" didn't see my response to HeartlandProgressive either, yet you quoted it precisely

https://upload.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1287&pid=326501

Like I said, you are playing a very childish game, and it's embarrassing!

[bluewater]

23. What in the world are you going on about?

What did I quote "precisely"?

Could you at least post that for me?

Thanks.

[beastie boy]

24. Oh please...

https://upload.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1287&pid=326501

[bluewater]

25. Um, please post what you claim that I "quoted precisely".

Honestly, you are making claims about me quoting something "precisely" and I am at a lost to understand what in the world you are talking about.

Please, just post here what I "quoted precisely" about your Journal, or anything else for that matter. I never mentioned your Journal before this.

if you don't want me to ask a question about it, fine. I did ask if it was ok, a simple no would have sufficed.

[beastie boy]

27. Oh please...

https://upload.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1287&pid=326441

And in case this post gets mysteriously self deleted, I have a screenshot.

[bluewater]

29. Still waiting... I still don't see anything "quoted precisely"

Just put up the original quote and then please put up me "quoting it precisely"

That should be easy to do, right?



Are you going to "quote" me amplifying or emphasizing what some one else said and then try to claim that's a "precise quote"?



and what's wrong with quoting someone "precisely" anyway? Do we have to make footnotes and use MLA citation format now or something?

If some one says "I think you mislead people about Sanders" and some one else later says "you mislead people about Sanders" what's wrong with that? We have to use quotation marks or something when echoing what was previously said?

I am at a loss trying to understand what your point is.

[beastie boy]

32. Oh please...

Original post, addressed to Heartland Porgressive, not bluewater:
https://upload.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1287&pid=326182

Bluewater's reply to post addressed to Heartl;andprogressive:
https://upload.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1287&pid=326441

"But not being a Bernie supporter, I believe posts like these can be addressed more competently by the people who are."

followed by

As I stated, you admitted you did not complain about those anti-Sanders postings.

Bluewater never stated anything of the sort. Heartlandprogressive did.

Unless you claim you are not posting under the bluewater moniker, or you claim you are blind, this nonsense is over.

[bluewater]

33. So you can't post what I "quoted precisely" at all then? It's all about a one word typo? lol

Those posts aren't "precisely" the same at all or even that similar in style or content.

the entirety of your complaint against me rests on a ONE WORD TYPO? lol

It's VERY telling that you neglect to reference this post at all:

bluewater (2,170 posts)
39. um no, typos are what typos are lol

"As I stated" was just a typo for "As was stated"



but hey, nice attempt at deflection.

https://upload.democraticunderground.com/1287325703#post39

lol It's not like I am not the typo king and can barely read the screen at times. lol

Hey, yesterday I referred to a poll as the "Fox News/SSRS poll" when it was actually TWO separate polls... Fox News/Anderson and CNN/SSRS... another DU-er pointed out my mistake and I corrected it and thanked him.

And guess what, that DU-er didn't go on and on and on about my typo/dyslexia or what ever caused THAT mistake.

That said, I think I understand what is going on here now.

I am glad I took the time to get to the bottom of all this. Thank you for the opportunity to have this all made public.

[George II]

10. Virtually every person who has a colonoscopy has polyps removed. Virtually every person...

...whether they have a colonoscopy or not have polyps. Millions of Americans have irregular heartbeat with no complications, more than 100 million Americans have high cholesterol, many men have been "medicated" for enlarged prostates, etc.

Gosh, I wonder if he had his tonsils removed, too?

One thing he HASN'T experienced is a heart attack or heart surgery.

Interesting that the article you're quoting from is entitled:

"Biden appears healthy from records"

[bluewater]

12. don't forget the gall bladder removal that was mentioned

oh and the sinus surgery.

I am really curious to see ALL the candidates medical records to be fair to everyone.

I want to know what medications everyone is on, what surgeries they have had and what conditions they are being monitored for. That seems fair, doesn't it?

And of course Sanders having a recent heart attack is definitely a huge issue.

They should all release them before the year's end, imho.

[Historic NY]

17. FTR all aneurysms are near fatal....

in 1988 more so than now. Since its doesn't say which I will assume based on the recoup time its was probably Triple AAA's. I was monitored for 10 yrs before the Dr's said it was time . They said the longer the wait the better the chance with new techniques. The old days they had to gut you to get to the artery weakness, it took months and rehab to get back to normal. I was on the table for 6 hours. It took a couple of weeks until I was feeling better. I still have to be monitored at least once a year. I had my gall bladder out at 28.

[HeartlandProgressive]

4. Sanders' sudden heart attack is one reason I feel Biden is also a risk

Joe will be 77 next month. What happens in the General Election if an unforeseen health issue strikes him then? That would almost be handing the election to Trump.

Think that is not possible?

[George II]

5. How many candidates have been asked that question, and how did they answer?

Doesn't one have to win a first term before worrying about a second term?

[Peacetrain]

6. Ding ding ding ding ding.. we have a winner!!

[Celerity]

19. ffs, that author cannot even do basic maths, Biden would be 82 at the start of his second term

He turns 82 November 20, 2024, the term starts January 20, 2025.

Also, Sanders would be 83, not 82.

So sloppy.

[bluewater]

20. Age doesn't mather though. So what's one year here or there?

Joking. Sorry, It's a bad joke, but I could not resist.

[Celerity]

21. made me lol

[rusty fender]

26. In an earlier interview, Biden said that he absolutely would run for a second term

I don’t have a link, but why is he being coy about it now

[Celerity]

28. Joe Biden, 76, says he has no plans to limit himself to one-term in the White House

https://eu.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2019/04/26/joe-biden-age-wont-pledge-one-term-2020-election/3588657002/

Former Vice President Joe Biden, who is looking to become the oldest candidate elected president, said Friday that he wasn’t interested in pledging to serve only one term in office.

Biden, who would be 78 on Inauguration Day 2021, said in an interview on ABC’s “The View” that it is fair for voters to ask questions about his age as they weigh his candidacy. Asked if he would only serve a single term if elected, Biden said, "No."

“I think it’s important for people—it’s a legitimate question to ask about my age,” Biden said in the interview. “Hopefully, I can demonstrate that...with age comes wisdom and experience that can make things a lot better. That’s for you all to decide, not for me to decide.”

snip

[rusty fender]

30. Thank you!

[Celerity]

31. yw!

[mcar]

34. What a ridiculous question

Just like when some Democrats pushed Pelosi (successfully) into making that pledge.

Circumstances on the ground will dictate that decision. I wouldn't want Biden to be elected hamstrung by such a pledge. He may decide to only serve one term but that shouldn't be revealed until it's time.

[loyalsister]

36. Not really

Most people take on fewer responsibilities as they age, because they know the window for being able to fulfill them is shrinking. We have agreed, culturally and via federal policy (social security) that mid 60s is a reasonable time begin to arrange our lives with that in mind. We know for a fact that our bodies change with age. In our later years humans have to make major life adjustments to adapt.

These are universal truths. Ignoring them is naive.

[Demsrule86]

35. He shouldn't answer it...a lame duck president is not a good thing...so why turn yourself into one?

Also, I would remind you that Warren is above 70.

[TidalWave46]

37. If Biden or Sanders stated otherwise...

I would laugh my ass off.

[totodeinhere]

39. Lets worry about getting him elected first.

Then once he is in office he can address his future plans.

[PDittie]

40. Nothing to worry about