Democratic Primaries
Related: About this forumWhy isn't Sanders' health and lmited life expectancy after a heart attack a major issue?
Last edited Sun Feb 23, 2020, 02:43 PM - Edit history (1)
Sanders had a myocardial infarction (heart attack) less than six months ago. Studies, such this one show a median survival age for patients aged ?75 years is 3.1 years. There are numerous other studies showing similar data and also showing a decline in functioning for such patients. Undoubtedly, few of these patients underwent the level of physical and psychological stress as a presidential campaign imposes on a person.
Sanders promised to release his medical records, but he hasn't. All Sanders has released are a few letters from chosen doctors, echoing tRump.
Recall in 2016, when the media and others forced Hillary Clinton to release her records.
Yet the Sanders supporters, mainstream media, and most DU members in 2020 are now ignoring the issues of Sanders health.
Why isn't Sanders being held to the Clinton standar and instead getting the tRump special treatment?
ETA:
What happens if he has one while campaigning?
Why is it that only responses from the Sanders supporters seems to be to dodge the issue?
Further ETA:
What will the Democratic Party do if he's nominated and he has another one?
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
George II
(67,782 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
NurseJackie
(42,862 posts)Hmmm.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
George II
(67,782 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
NurseJackie
(42,862 posts)What a pity. He should probably just go ahead and retire. That's my recommendation.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
John Fante
(3,479 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
NurseJackie
(42,862 posts)Why do you feel that you have the right to be that way toward me?
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
thesquanderer
(11,955 posts)...you can get different numbers if you control for things like overweight or not, drinker/smoker or not, wealth (access to better medical care)... not every 78 year old has equal odds.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
NurseJackie
(42,862 posts)The fact of the matter is this: being POTUS ages everyone who's ever taken it on. Now someone who's young and vigorous and healthy has "wiggle room" when 20 years worth of stress and aging are piled on in a very short time.
I remain unconvinced that someone Bernie's age, and someone with his history of poor health, heart disease, fainting spells, osteo, etc... I simply do not believe he's up for the challenge. Do the math.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
thesquanderer
(11,955 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
NurseJackie
(42,862 posts)... and I hope you'll also concede that there was no legitimate reason for anyone to admonish George II or give vague warnings to him that he should "be careful".
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
thesquanderer
(11,955 posts)Are you taking issue with my saying that one should be careful (i.e. not be quick to draw conclusions) about applying statistics of a general undifferentiated population to people within the group who have different risk factors? Sorry, I still think that is a valid statement.
As a related aside, sure, he'd have a stressful job... So did Dick Cheney, who plugged along with far more severe heart problems than Bernie. Lots of variables. (George W Bush also has a stent, and Bill Clinton had a quadruple bypass, but they're still a spry 73.)
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
NurseJackie
(42,862 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
LakeArenal
(28,729 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Evergreen Emerald
(13,069 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
W_HAMILTON
(7,813 posts)...of his followers.
Honestly, I wouldn't be surprised if a sizable portion of voters don't even know that he had a heart attack just a few months ago. More coverage was paid to Hillary's pneumonia than his heart attack that he kept secret from the public for days.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Rorey
(8,445 posts)I understand that his supporters are defensive about this, but I feel the same way about ANY candidate. This job is too important.
When someone suggests a ticket with two senior citizens on it, I just have to wonder what they're smoking, so to speak. (And hey, I'm technically a senior citizen, so I think I'm qualified to give my opinion on this.)
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
PatSeg
(46,807 posts)I can't imagine any person in their 70s going through a grueling election campaign just months after a heart attack. I am sure no reasonable doctor would advise it.
Whenever I see Bernie on the debate stage, it makes me nervous. That much anger is not healthy for anyone at any age, but in a 78 year old heart attack survivor, it is truly unsettling.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
R B Garr
(16,920 posts)was doing when he had his heart attack and had to ask for a chair to continue speaking. Its very distracting since seeing that clip of him.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
PatSeg
(46,807 posts)I want to go over to him and gently tell him to settle down and breathe. If I was his wife, I'd be a basket case.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
R B Garr
(16,920 posts)comment about his 3 houses, and his face got so angry and red 😡. That would worry me too, if I was his wife!
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
PatSeg
(46,807 posts)If he were a relative or a close friend, I would be trying to calm him down for fear he might have a heart attack or a stroke. Maybe suggest meditation or some soothing audio tapes, though I doubt that would happen. He is so defensive and reactive, not appealing in a prospective president and very unhealthy.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Response to Julian English (Original post)
Fresh_Start This message was self-deleted by its author.
Callado119
(171 posts)...as disqualifying as the heart attack should be, it will end up being one of his smaller disqualifying issues out of a mountain of baggage
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
pandr32
(11,447 posts).. and as you mentioned there is a mountain of them. We will be bombarded.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
yaesu
(8,020 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
dalton99a
(81,091 posts)Jeff Weaver, etc
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
I didn't need that scenario playing in my head!!!
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
zackymilly
(2,375 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
PatSeg
(46,807 posts)That one pushed over the edge!!!
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
pandr32
(11,447 posts)I'll be driven to extend my home happy hour! Kidding aside--scary thought
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Codeine
(25,586 posts)A-team right there, hasnt he? Speaks volumes to his executive abilities.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Hoyt
(54,770 posts)Odds are about the same that either could stroke out during campaign.
Don't see a younger candidate right now who can overtake the old folks. So I think we are stuck with a health risk in General Election.
Carry defibrillators to rallies.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Julian English
(434 posts)Cognitive function declines, too, after a heart attack. There are lots of studies showing this. You just can't handwave this away.
https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/JAHA.117.007230
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Hoyt
(54,770 posts)Sanders concerns me for other reasons, but he sure doesn't appear to have cognitive, neurological or psychological issues.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
DarthDem
(5,253 posts)It's probably because the president*, Biden and Warren, as well as Bloomberg, are all in the same age bracket. That may be preventing them from making these attacks a focal point as you might otherwise expect.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
The incumbent is over 70 and by no means healthy
Most of our leading candidates are over 70 and have some health issues as any 70+ year old would.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
Julian English
(434 posts)The data are clear about this.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
DarthDem
(5,253 posts)It is puzzling that she hasn't made this into an attack. But I doubt that emphasizing gender differences is what she wants to do. Dunno. It's also puzzling that she hasn't attacked Sanders in general. Perhaps she will now.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
emmaverybo
(8,144 posts)proposals and want sweeping economic change. Maybe Warren hopes to influence Bernie to be moderate in presenting his ideas during the GE. Maybe she does not want to divide the progressive wing,
They have differences for sure, but I dont think Warren wants to discredit Bernie as I would think she would rather see a progressive as our nominee than a moderate. As well, she does not want to
cast the progressive wing in a bad light. She is still running on the progressive side and if Bernie
would have to drop out, she needs to be on the right side of his supporters.
Nothing nefarious in this. She is between a rock and a hard place.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Peacetrain
(22,836 posts)Like Joy said this morning, Sen Sanders has not been vetted by the Democrats because they get attacked so viciously on line.. it is a strategy that has worked..But the republicans could care less.. attack away.. its a reality we all will have to deal with if Bernie is our candidate in the general..
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Rorey
(8,445 posts)It WILL happen. He WILL be vetted. To wait for the GE is just grossly irresponsible.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
krissey
(1,205 posts)something in them that is not good.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
DarthDem
(5,253 posts)Nt
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Baclava
(12,047 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
David__77
(23,220 posts)...
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
Peregrine Took
(7,408 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
barbtries
(28,703 posts)that he would not make it through 4 years let alone 8.
why the media doesn't report on that i don't know. they love the horse race. why do they keep normalizing trump when he's clearly unhinged and demented, and tormented by personality disorders? they do the public a huge disservice.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
loyalsister
(13,390 posts)I also think they love a tragedy as much as a controversy. Death or illness of a president is a tragedy. With the media we have now, that potential is could be the next best thing to a corrupt president.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
barbtries
(28,703 posts)i wouldn't count it out.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
loyalsister
(13,390 posts)"The bobble headed bleach blonde goes on a five she can tell you about the plane crash with a gleam in her eye." The song came out in 82 and the media has only gotten worse.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
DanTex
(20,709 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
wundermaus
(1,673 posts)Until there is an upper age limit to the presidency your concern are rhetorical at best.
"Legal requirements for presidential candidates have remained the same since the year Washington accepted the presidency. As directed by the Constitution, a presidential candidate must be a natural born citizen of the United States, a resident for 14 years, and 35 years of age or older." - https://www.loc.gov/teachers/classroommaterials/presentationsandactivities/presentations/elections/requirements-for-president.html
The mainstream media is your issue, not the legal requirements for presidential candidates.
Can you please cite otherwise? Thanks!
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
Julian English
(434 posts)These make him a much poorer candidate
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
wundermaus
(1,673 posts)Shall we cower in fear or shall we act with courage?
Everyday is a blessing.
Everyday is a gift.
What we do with it is what defines us.
Bernie is very brave to put his life on the line for us.
I am grateful for every day he is alive.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
totodeinhere
(13,037 posts)I'm not worried about it.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
abqtommy
(14,118 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
totodeinhere
(13,037 posts)Apparently Bernie is popular enough that voters think that it's important enough to elect him in spite of the age and health issues. And lets face it, whoever he picks for his running mate would make an infinitely better president than Trump ever could be.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Julian English
(434 posts)I've talked to voters who remembered the fake news about Hilary Clinton's health but had no idea Sanders had a heart attack, let alone that his life expectancy is under 4 years.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
totodeinhere
(13,037 posts)I am in Nevada and in my precinct, which went better than 70% for Bernie, we were well aware of the issues.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
zackymilly
(2,375 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
totodeinhere
(13,037 posts)I guess it's not on our radar.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
loyalsister
(13,390 posts)though the trauma of losing or nearly losing a president. The closest approximation some of us have is when Reagan was shot. I was in sixth grade and remember it well. It was jarring but not traumatic in the way the Kennedy assassination was. The fact that James Brady was shot in the head and survived may have added a kind of insulation of a belief in natural invincibility for POTUS for younger generations. Bernie may be benefitting from added mythology because he survived a heart attack not in spite of it.
I don't buy it. I think it is unwise to nominate someone with such age vulnerability to run against Trump. Trump has damaged democracy and the presidency. We do ourselves no favors if we recover the presidency then expose ourselves to the kind of national trauma that comes with losing a president in office. I have the same objection to Bloomberg and Biden.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
bahrbearian
(13,466 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
Sloumeau
(2,657 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
TNNurse
(6,911 posts)think his age and health history are negatively significant.
Of course that asshole who lives in the White House has bad nutrition, little exercise and apparently poor sleep habits and is still alive at 73...so who knows??? And it is a mystery that his mental status is not more troublesome to his cult.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Squinch
(50,774 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Traildogbob
(8,584 posts)Hell, Cheney is on what, his third heart. They all got great insurance, and get to the top of the list for new ones. Just make damn sure the VP is ready. Besides, the damn Virus gonna kill the world anyway. Anyone worried about ancient ass McConnel croaking. I sure as hell ain't. I am sending him thoughts and prayers. Just not ones he would appreciate.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
Bear Creek
(883 posts)Trump and his supporters trash talk about a democrat candidate?
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
zackymilly
(2,375 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Bear Creek
(883 posts)What they did to Hillary.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
Hulk
(6,699 posts)I've heard and read lots of conflicting information regarding his heart attack and the medical info provided so far.
I listen to Thom Hartmann whenever I can on Youtube in the mornings, from 12-3 ET. I believe he said that Lyndon Johnson had several heart attacks prior to his inauguration. Of course he did die of a heart attack some years after his presidency. FDR was a victim of Polio his whole adult life. This jackass we have in the White House today could topple over dead any day, if Melanie continues her prayers. I'm just not so certain his heart attack is that big of a deal. The rest of his vitals are excellent.
I'd like to hear some actual first hand info on this subject instead of thread hearsay.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
marlakay
(11,370 posts)I would prefer he choose a woman but anyone ready for it.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
islandelder
(1 post)I have been reading DU since 2011 but have never posted anything. I find that I can't start a new thread, but only reply. This seems the most appropriate one to start my journey.
From the beginning I sorted the candidates by the following:
If in the Senate,, stay there. Don't risk a Democratic minority for four more years. We have to take the Senate. Much as I like many of the Senators who are in the running, I fear a "Scott Brown" event if one of our Senators leaves a vacancy.
If you are 70 or over, bask in the glory of your political career and give everything you have got to an agenda, not a candidacy. Now is the time to lift the next generation of leaders and give them your money and your wisdom, not your competition.
If you are a billionaire, spend your money down ballot races and doing everything you can to GOTV, including paying the fees of 1.4 million potential voters in Florida so they can vote in 2020.
That left me with Yang and Buttigieg.
And I am still there, even though Yang has had to drop out.
I am 72 and have voted Democratic since Nixon betrayed my first vote in 1968 and didn't get us out of Viet Nam.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
renate
(13,776 posts)I totally respect and understand your reasoning about senators staying in the Senate and not running for President if someone is over 70, and in a way I agree, but I just cant help thinking that President Elizabeth Warren would be worth making exceptions. But Im pretty biased.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
bitterross
(4,066 posts)Why Bernie's health is given a pass here is a mystery to me. Trump's mental health seems to be a valid and appropriate subject here.
Why it is not an issue that a candidate had a heart attack recently is ridiculous.
Have I mentioned lately that Bernie is NOT a Democrat? That every post in support of him should be, by TOS, hidden? Sanders "I-VT"
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
TryLogic
(1,721 posts)His face/head are getting red easily. I assume that is because of medication, blood thinners most likely.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
HarlanPepper
(2,042 posts)I wondered if he has a pacemaker. He got a funny look on his face when Pete got under his skin like he was being jolted by something. It was weird.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
lapfog_1
(29,166 posts)is low stress... sort of like a Walmart greeter really. Perfect for retirees and the elderly.
And its only for 4 years with an option for 4 more.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Cha
(295,929 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Lunabell
(5,920 posts)He has the courage to speak truth to power.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Liberty Belle
(9,528 posts)and a vice president who likely will share a progressive vision and most of his views steps up to become President.
That's far better than being stuck with Trump, and from a progressive view, better than having a moderate Dem who won't make healthcare a priority, or some other items on the Sanders agenda that while not totally realistic, could result in compromise that would at least move the ball in the right (er, left) direction.
Should Sanders prove a more moderate VP, if that person became president it would neutralize fears of moderates, though disappoint his base, but still be better than a Trump presidency.
The same could be said for Biden, Bloomberg or Warren, all of whom are over 70. Their VP picks will be critical in my view, more so than the VP picks of someone young like Buttigieg.
But honestly, most of us would probably pick a candidate who aligns with our views and who we believe can win, all other things being equal, over one who is young but either doesn't reflect our priorities, or doesn't have a strong base of some sort to oust Trump. That's why Sanders has appeal with his grassroots army, and why some see an old billionaire like Bloomberg as viable, whether or not people love everything about either of them.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Julian English
(434 posts)Then we're stuck with having no candidate.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
LastLiberal in PalmSprings
(12,539 posts)With all the time he's spent playing golf at his resorts, being up in his room tweeting for hours during "executive time," and holding his ego rallies, Fat Donnie has proven that being president is a job with almost no stress at all.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
I_UndergroundPanther
(12,452 posts)And a pump for a heart for awhile
He didn't leave office and it didn't kill him yet..
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden