# 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:** 16
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2019, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-you-support-bernie-sanders-if-you-dont/835632/301 "2019-08-26T19:38:52Z")
> [@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. This. Are those who love Bernie _that much_ willing to bet he’ll stay sharp and energetic for the next five or nine years (I’m including the more than a year remaining until the election)? ---
**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, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-you-support-bernie-sanders-if-you-dont/835632/302 "2019-08-26T20:20:33Z")
> [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](#): > > This. Are those who love Bernie _that much_ willing to bet he’ll stay sharp and energetic for the next five or nine years (I’m including the more than a year remaining until the election)? Yes ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2019, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-you-support-bernie-sanders-if-you-dont/835632/303 "2019-08-26T20:23:17Z")
Bernie’s choice of VP will be particularly important. ---
**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 26, 2019, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-you-support-bernie-sanders-if-you-dont/835632/304 "2019-08-26T20:28:17Z")
First, I don’t know anybody who is 87 who is running for President. Second, the top three polling democrats are all in their 70’s. So it looks like most of the country disagrees with the folks in this thread who are saying he’s too old. Third, Bernie is in great shape, he used to be a long distance runner in his youth. He was playing softball last week. I am curious who he would pick for a running mate if he wins the primary. Maybe Stacy Abrams? ---
**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, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-you-support-bernie-sanders-if-you-dont/835632/305 "2019-08-26T20:37:28Z")
> [@Emily\_Litella](#): > > Third, Bernie is in great shape, he used to be a long distance runner in his youth. And Strom Thurmond took a daring glider ride into occupied France on D-Day. ---
**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, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-you-support-bernie-sanders-if-you-dont/835632/306 "2019-08-26T21:19:20Z")
> [@Emily\_Litella](#): > > First, I don’t know anybody who is 87 who is running for President. So you’re saying 87 is too old? What’s the line between “old” and “too old”? > [@Emily\_Litella](#): > > Second, the top three polling democrats are all in their 70’s. So it looks like most of the country disagrees with the folks in this thread who are saying he’s too old. And the public is equally wrong about all three. Besides, why does America need another president who was born in the 1940s? Wasn’t 20 years of them enough? Give another generation a chance! > [@Emily\_Litella](#): > > Third, Bernie is in great shape, he used to be a long distance runner in his youth. He was playing softball last week. Because baseball players are known for their fierce intelligence. ---
**Author:** ![scr4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/59ef9b/32.png) [@scr4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scr4)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2019, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-you-support-bernie-sanders-if-you-dont/835632/307 "2019-08-26T21:36:22Z")
It seems everyone is talking about different aspects of age. Is he too old to live till the end of the term? Is he too frail to handle the demands of the job? Is his mental capacity reduced because of age? Is he too old to understand “modern” issues like social media, net neutrality, GMOs, etc? Is he too old to understand what life is like for young people today? Is he too old to attract the youth vote? All these are separate questions. ---
**Author:** ![Barack\_Obama](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/dc4da7/32.png) [@Barack\_Obama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barack_Obama)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2019, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-you-support-bernie-sanders-if-you-dont/835632/308 "2019-08-27T00:27:00Z")
> [@scr4](#): > > It seems everyone is talking about different aspects of age. Is he too old to live till the end of the term? Is he too frail to handle the demands of the job? Is his mental capacity reduced because of age? Is he too old to understand “modern” issues like social media, net neutrality, GMOs, etc? Is he too old to understand what life is like for young people today? Is he too old to attract the youth vote? All these are separate questions. The answer to all of these questions is no, just for the record. These questions should have been aimed towards Biden where the answer would be yes to many of them. But of course, when you take on the ruling class you’re going to be smeared not based on the merit of your positions, but rather the character of who you are. ---
**Author:** ![Barack\_Obama](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/dc4da7/32.png) [@Barack\_Obama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barack_Obama)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2019, 12:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-you-support-bernie-sanders-if-you-dont/835632/309 "2019-08-27T00:53:35Z")
> [@Alessan](#): > > “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. > > Say you’re an owner of an NFL team. Would you sign a 40-year-old quarterback for an 8-year contract? What if he’s tom brady? ---
**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 27, 2019, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-you-support-bernie-sanders-if-you-dont/835632/310 "2019-08-27T02:17:11Z")
> [@Barack\_Obama](#): > > What if he’s tom brady? Tom Brady literally just signed a two year contract. Two. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2019, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-you-support-bernie-sanders-if-you-dont/835632/311 "2019-08-27T02:40:07Z")
> [@Ravenman](#): > > Tom Brady literally just signed a two year contract. Two. And they say he’s not buying any green bananas, either. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2019, 3:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-you-support-bernie-sanders-if-you-dont/835632/312 "2019-08-27T03:47:33Z")
> [@scr4](#): > > It seems everyone is talking about different aspects of age. I’ll bite > [@scr4](#): > > Is he too old to live till the end of the term? no, but his odds are lower than most candidates > [@scr4](#): > > Is he too frail to handle the demands of the job? not yet, but the odds are good he will be before the end of his term > [@scr4](#): > > Is his mental capacity reduced because of age? ditto above > [@scr4](#): > > Is he too old to understand “modern” issues like social media, net neutrality, GMOs, etc? yes > [@scr4](#): > > Is he too old to understand what life is like for young people today? that’s a pretty broad question. I’ll say probably not. > [@scr4](#): > > Is he too old to attract the youth vote? No. Young adults like him. ---
**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 27, 2019, 5:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-you-support-bernie-sanders-if-you-dont/835632/313 "2019-08-27T05:10:18Z")
> [@Barack\_Obama](#): > > The answer to all of these questions is no, just for the record. > > These questions should have been aimed towards Biden where the answer would be yes to many of them. But of course, when you take on the ruling class you’re going to be smeared not based on the merit of your positions, but rather the character of who you are. Bernie, Biden, Warren - people their age ARE the ruling class. That’s not a smear, it’s a simple fact. Old people are holding the country in a death grip. Down with the gerontocracy! Long live Generation X! ---
**Author:** ![Barack\_Obama](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/dc4da7/32.png) [@Barack\_Obama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barack_Obama)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2019, 5:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-you-support-bernie-sanders-if-you-dont/835632/314 "2019-08-27T05:46:04Z")
> [@Alessan](#): > > Bernie, Biden, Warren - people their age ARE the ruling class. That’s not a smear, it’s a simple fact. Old people are holding the country in a death grip. > > Down with the gerontocracy! Long live Generation X! I’ve never once in my life argued age in a factor of elect-ability. Seems like a nothing sandwich to me since age isnt an indicator of anything besides the old belief people get more conservative with age. ---
**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 27, 2019, 1:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-you-support-bernie-sanders-if-you-dont/835632/315 "2019-08-27T13:49:03Z")
> [@Barack\_Obama](#): > > I’ve never once in my life argued age in a factor of elect-ability. Seems like a nothing sandwich to me since age isnt an indicator of anything besides the old belief people get more conservative with age. My god. Has a single person in this thread said anything like that? Are you denying that age effects mental and physical capacity? ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2019, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-you-support-bernie-sanders-if-you-dont/835632/316 "2019-08-27T14:33:21Z")
If this was a case of just choosing which Democrat we want in the White House, then I might give Bernie a chance…but it isn’t. We need the candidate that has the best possible chance of beating Trump, and the stakes are too damn high to go for the second or third best and just _hope_ that enough people vote that way. Unless you really think the Democrat at the top of the polls is actually worse than Trump, of course. ---
**Author:** ![Boycott](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boycott/32/6741_2.png) [@Boycott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boycott)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2019, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-you-support-bernie-sanders-if-you-dont/835632/317 "2019-08-27T15:29:58Z")
On age, I’d prefer 94 year old Jimmy Carter over both Biden and Bernie ! ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2019, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-you-support-bernie-sanders-if-you-dont/835632/318 "2019-08-27T15:39:09Z")
> [@Alessan](#): > > Bernie, Biden, Warren - people their age ARE the ruling class. … “Ruling class”. That’s so cute,:rolleyes: and I notice you left out trump. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2019, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-you-support-bernie-sanders-if-you-dont/835632/319 "2019-08-27T16:17:16Z")
Power to the People, man. Right on. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2019, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-you-support-bernie-sanders-if-you-dont/835632/320 "2019-08-27T16:18:48Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > “Ruling class”. That’s so cute,:rolleyes: and I notice you left out trump. Trump has no class. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-you-support-bernie-sanders-if-you-dont/835632.md?page=15) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-you-support-bernie-sanders-if-you-dont/835632.md?page=17)