Bernie Sanders Refuses to Say Whether He Thinks Biden Will Survive a Second Term in Tense Interview

AP Photo/Susan Walsh

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) refused to say whether he believes President Joe Biden will be able to serve a full second term.

During a recent interview with The New Yorker’s Isaac Chotiner , the journalist grilled the Senate lawmaker over concerns that the president would not be able to finish a second term in office.

Recently, a growing number of Democratic lawmakers have called on the president to bow out of the November race before the convention due to his poor performance at CNN’s debat e against former President Donald Trump last month.

Sanders pushed back against Chotiner during the intense interview, but did refuse to clearly state if he believed Biden could finish a second term.

CHOTINER: When you yourself say that you have concerns about whether Joe Biden would be able to finish a second term, I think it’s hard to ask people to —

SANDERS: I didn’t say that. I did not. Didn’t say that.

CHOTINER: You said, “I have concerns about everything” when I asked you about that, implying that that was one of your concerns.

SANDERS: Well, don’t — Well, yeah, I am. I am. I’m concerned about the existential threat of climate change.

CHOTINER: I’m concerned about that, too. I would like a President —

SANDERS: I’m concerned about your health, and I’m concerned about my health. Don’t take that as whether I’m worried about —

CHOTINER: O.K., so you’re not concerned about whether Joe Biden can be President in 2028, early 2029. You’re not concerned about that?

SANDERS: I’m concerned about a lot of things, but, yeah, Joe Biden will get elected. If Joe Biden gets elected —everybody’s health is in question. You don’t know what’s going to happen, right?

CHOTINER: I would just say that you not being able to say this clearly is a reason that people might have doubts about whether he should be the nominee, and feel that the Party should choose someone who people feel confident can finish their term.

SANDERS: You are doing exactly what I’ve been faulting. If you want to make the case that Biden is not the perfect candidate for a dozen different reasons, go ahead, and you’re right, but, tell me, you’ve got a better path forward? I don’t think you do, because I don’t think there is a better path forward. I think he is the best candidate, and I think if he runs a strong, effective campaign focussed on the needs of the working class of this country, he will win. And I think there’s a chance he could win big.