# Why don't you support Bernie Sanders? (if you don't) **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [June 17, 2019, 2:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-you-support-bernie-sanders-if-you-dont/835632 "2019-06-17T02:58:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 15
**Author:** ![Emily\_Litella](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/emily_litella/32/3370_2.png) [@Emily\_Litella](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Emily_Litella)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2019, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-you-support-bernie-sanders-if-you-dont/835632/281 "2019-08-23T17:56:10Z")
> [@Ravenman](#): > > Sanders wants to bring coal back??? In a word, no. :rolleyes: > [@Deeg](#): > > As I said, climate change is very important to me and Sanders is at least as bad as Trump and possibly worse. I will not vote for a candidate who will make climate change worse than Trump. Most of Trump’s idiocy will be washed away by a term or two of a good presidency but if Sanders manages to shut down a significant number of nuclear power plants (his goal is to shut them all down) then we will be paying for his idiocy for generations. He wants to transform our energy system to 100% renewable energy. You don’t honestly think he’s going to get rid of nuclear power without some working alternative in place? How do you imagine he will make climate change worse? [Have you seen this?](https://berniesanders.com/issues/the-green-new-deal/) ---
**Author:** ![Emily\_Litella](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/emily_litella/32/3370_2.png) [@Emily\_Litella](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Emily_Litella)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2019, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-you-support-bernie-sanders-if-you-dont/835632/282 "2019-08-23T18:01:12Z")
> [@SlackerInc](#): > > …It’s not ageism to say that an incredibly important, massively stressful 24/7 job like the presidency is not suitable for an 87-year-old. (And yes, Joe Biden is also too damn old.) My mom was born the same year as Bernie, and there is just no way… He’s 77, a year older than Biden and 4 years older than Trump. How old is your Mom? ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2019, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-you-support-bernie-sanders-if-you-dont/835632/283 "2019-08-23T18:15:54Z")
It doesn’t matter how old his mother is, 77 is frigging old. ---
**Author:** ![SlackerInc](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slackerinc/32/275_2.png) [@SlackerInc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SlackerInc)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2019, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-you-support-bernie-sanders-if-you-dont/835632/284 "2019-08-23T21:06:26Z")
> [@Emily\_Litella](#): > > He’s 77, a year older than Biden and 4 years older than Trump. > How old is your Mom? My mom was born earlier in 1941, so she has already turned 78. But Bernie doesn’t get to stay the same age as he is now throughout his presidency, so my point stands. He would turn 87 in the last year of his presidency. ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2019, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-you-support-bernie-sanders-if-you-dont/835632/285 "2019-08-23T22:55:18Z")
No need to give him two terms just yet but he will be over 80 during his first term. Generally we’re happy when an 80+ old relative is still living independently. I’m not sure many would be happy he’s running the country. ---
**Author:** ![SlackerInc](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slackerinc/32/275_2.png) [@SlackerInc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SlackerInc)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2019, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-you-support-bernie-sanders-if-you-dont/835632/286 "2019-08-23T23:04:46Z")
Agreed, but we also should not be running anyone who can’t stand for reelection. ETA: Let’s note for absolute clarity that Bernie would actually turn 80 in the _first_ year of his presidency. That’s insane. ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2019, 1:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-you-support-bernie-sanders-if-you-dont/835632/287 "2019-08-25T13:29:56Z")
My wife and I were at the State Fair yesterday when Bernie showed up. FWIW, he is not a particularly dynamic speaker (he spoke mostly about climate change), but there was a large crowd. He kept saying we should listen to the science, and nobody asked him about listening to the science on nuclear energy and GMOs. Overall, meh. Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2019, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-you-support-bernie-sanders-if-you-dont/835632/288 "2019-08-25T19:11:11Z")
> [@SlackerInc](#): > > Agreed, but we also should not be running anyone who can’t stand for reelection. > > ETA: Let’s note for absolute clarity that Bernie would actually turn 80 in the _first_ year of his presidency. That’s insane. Why? Other than ageism. Is he sick? Senile? ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2019, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-you-support-bernie-sanders-if-you-dont/835632/289 "2019-08-25T22:35:31Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > Is he sick? Senile? Now? Don’t know. In a couple of years? Yes, probably. Is he past his prime? Of course he is. What 80-year-old isn’t? This isn’t ageism. It’s actuarial science. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2019, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-you-support-bernie-sanders-if-you-dont/835632/290 "2019-08-26T00:09:44Z")
> [@Alessan](#): > > Now? Don’t know. In a couple of years? Yes, probably. Is he past his prime? Of course he is. What 80-year-old isn’t? > > This isn’t ageism. It’s actuarial science. Which depends on averages, not individuals. It’s totally worthless for a individual. ---
**Author:** ![SlackerInc](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slackerinc/32/275_2.png) [@SlackerInc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SlackerInc)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2019, 12:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-you-support-bernie-sanders-if-you-dont/835632/291 "2019-08-26T00:33:46Z")
It’s really not. For a 70 or 75 year old, okay. Not for an 87 year old. There has never been someone that old who is truly up to the 24/7 job of being president. And the two oldest presidents we have had (Trump and Reagan) were/are not my idea of mentally sharp, to say the least. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2019, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-you-support-bernie-sanders-if-you-dont/835632/292 "2019-08-26T01:50:31Z")
> [@SlackerInc](#): > > It’s really not. For a 70 or 75 year old, okay. Not for an 87 year old. There has never been someone that old who is truly up to the 24/7 job of being president. And the two oldest presidents we have had (Trump and Reagan) were/are not my idea of mentally sharp, to say the least. Reagan was fine his first term. Ok, 2nd term- \*not so much. \* But medicine has advanced since then. Warren Buffett is **88**! and still sharp. > **[Warren Buffett: I'm in remarkably good health](https://www.cnbc.com/video/2018/01/10/warren-buffett-im-in-remarkably-good-health.html)** > > Warren Buffett, Berkshire Hathaway chairman and CEO, says he feels great and if there was anything wrong with his health, he would tell shareholders immediately. Also Buffett says adding Greg Abel and Ajit Jain will not change operations at... [https://www.thestreet.com/story/14289574/1/warren-buffett-s-junk-food-diet-has-gotten-him-to-87-should-you-follow-it.html](https://www.thestreet.com/story/14289574/1/warren-buffett-s-junk-food-diet-has-gotten-him-to-87-should-you-follow-it.html) QE2 is 93 and still sharp and in pretty good health: [https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/is-queen-elizabeth-ii-in-good-health.html/](https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/is-queen-elizabeth-ii-in-good-health.html/) ---
**Author:** ![SlackerInc](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slackerinc/32/275_2.png) [@SlackerInc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SlackerInc)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2019, 2:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-you-support-bernie-sanders-if-you-dont/835632/293 "2019-08-26T02:29:15Z")
None of them are commanders-in-chief of the world’s largest military and head of the executive branch of the worlds largest economy and 300-odd million people. They don’t get woken up at 3 a.m. having to make split second life-or-death decisions that affect thousands or millions of people. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2019, 3:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-you-support-bernie-sanders-if-you-dont/835632/294 "2019-08-26T03:52:50Z")
> [@SlackerInc](#): > > None of them are commanders-in-chief of the world’s largest military and head of the executive branch of the worlds largest economy and 300-odd million people. They don’t get woken up at 3 a.m. having to make split second life-or-death decisions that affect thousands or millions of people. Umm, the Queen is the Commander of the British Armed forces, in theory, and Buffet heads a huge conglomerate of companies that makes him the 3rd richest person in the world. So, your point is invalid. ---
**Author:** ![SlackerInc](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slackerinc/32/275_2.png) [@SlackerInc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SlackerInc)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2019, 5:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-you-support-bernie-sanders-if-you-dont/835632/295 "2019-08-26T05:14:38Z")
Neither of them have to be awoken in the middle of the night to make split-second life or death decisions. So your point is invalid in practice, whatever the case “in theory”. ---
**Author:** ![Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ccd318/32.png) [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_in_Qatar)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2019, 9:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-you-support-bernie-sanders-if-you-dont/835632/296 "2019-08-26T09:09:52Z")
I am unable to vote for anyone in their seventies. ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2019, 12:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-you-support-bernie-sanders-if-you-dont/835632/297 "2019-08-26T12:27:21Z")
“Old” is the Republican brand, not the Democrat brand. The Democrats have always been the “young” party, which is why only young Democrats win elections. > [@DrDeth](#): > > Which depends on averages, not individuals. It’s totally worthless for a individual. Say you’re an owner of an NFL team. Would you sign a 40-year-old quarterback for an 8-year contract? ---
**Author:** ![Cheesesteak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cheesesteak/32/3694_2.png) [@Cheesesteak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheesesteak)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2019, 12:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-you-support-bernie-sanders-if-you-dont/835632/298 "2019-08-26T12:39:04Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > Umm, the Queen is the Commander of the British Armed forces, in theory, and Buffet heads a huge conglomerate of companies that makes him the 3rd richest person in the world. Umm, the President is the Commander in Chief of the US Armed forces, in reality. In theory, reality and theory are the same. In reality, they aren’t. And Buffet could drop dead today, or completely lose his faculties over the next few months, and the only reasonable response would be “Yeah, well he’s 88, and those things happen when you’re that old.” The truth is that while some people retain their vigor well into their 80’s, you never really know who that is going to be in advance, and the best you can say about a fellow as old as Buffet is that he hasn’t lost it yet. ---
**Author:** ![Ravenman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ravenman/32/2929_2.png) [@Ravenman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ravenman)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2019, 12:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-you-support-bernie-sanders-if-you-dont/835632/299 "2019-08-26T12:48:07Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > Why? Other than ageism. Is he sick? Senile? He has slipped in his advancing years, that’s for sure. ---
**Author:** ![Ryan\_Liam](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ryan_liam/32/3965_2.png) [@Ryan\_Liam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ryan_Liam)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2019, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-you-support-bernie-sanders-if-you-dont/835632/300 "2019-08-26T18:41:11Z")
> [@SlackerInc](#): > > Agreed, but we also should not be running anyone who can’t stand for reelection. > > ETA: Let’s note for absolute clarity that Bernie would actually turn 80 in the _first_ year of his presidency. That’s insane. Not as crazy as the current person with senile dementia in the WH. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-you-support-bernie-sanders-if-you-dont/835632.md?page=14) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-you-support-bernie-sanders-if-you-dont/835632.md?page=16)