Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) said on Monday that he has no plans to announce a White House bid and is instead throwing his support behind President Joe Biden’s reelection campaign.
The veteran legislator told The Associated Press that running for president in the past was a “wonderful privilege,” but that ultimately he would be foregoing a third run for office and endorsing Biden.
Sanders, 81, amassed a large following among the progressive wing of the Democratic Party during his 2016 presidential race.
The Vermont lawmaker, who has served for decades as a member of both the House and Senate, had also appeared to be on track to win the nomination in the 2020 presidential race before many of his challengers dropped out and endorsed Biden.
“I enjoyed it very much and I hope we had some impact on the nature of American politics. But right now, my job is to do what I can as chairman of the [Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions] committee, to see Biden gets reelected, and to see what I can do to help transform policy in America to help protect the needs of workers,” he told AP.
Sanders pointed to an array of issues currently impacting the political climate and Americans, such as increased shootings, sexism, and abortion rights, telling AP that he would do everything he can to make sure Biden, 80, is reelected for a second term instead of “some other right-wing demagogue.”
‘I’m in to Do What I Can’
“The last thing this country needs is a Donald Trump or some other right-wing demagogue who is going to try to undermine American democracy or take away a woman’s right to choose, or not address the crisis of gun violence, or racism, sexism, or homophobia,” Sanders said. “So, I’m in to do what I can to make sure that the president is reelected.”
Sanders, a socialist, also discouraged any other high-profile progressive candidates from running for president in 2024, adding that he believes Biden will ultimately be the Democratic nominee.
His comments came on the same day that Biden announced via a theatrical-style video that he would be seeking a second term in office.
In the video, which featured footage from the Jan. 6 Capitol breach and abortion rights protests across the country, Biden took aim at what he said were “MAGA extremists” throughout the United States who are “lining up to take on those bedrock freedoms.”
“When I ran for president four years ago, I said we are in a battle for the soul of America. And we still are,” Biden said. “The question we are facing is, whether in the years ahead, we have more freedom or less freedom. More rights or fewer.”
“This is not a time to be complacent … That’s why I’m running for reelection,” the video continued. “We believe that everyone is equal, that everyone should be given a fair shot to succeed in this country.”
Biden Announces 2024 Run
While Biden’s announcement was expected, it comes as polls suggest that Democrats would prefer him not to run again in 2024, in part owing to his age and mental state, which they fear may liabilities.
Biden, already the oldest president in U.S. history, would be 86 after completing a second full term in 2029.
The president’s handling of the economy, under which inflation has soared, the possibility of an upcoming recession, the ongoing southern border crisis, Biden’s handling of classified documents, and the increased government support to Ukraine amid Russia’s invasion have all proved to be decisive issues among American voters.
An April 20 Reuters/Ipsos poll showed that 54 percent of Americans disapprove of the job Biden is doing in office, with the president’s public approval falling to 39 percent earlier this month, nearing the lowest level since he stepped into office.
Despite declining support, Biden said in his announcement video on Tuesday that “this is our moment,” adding, “Let’s finish this job, I know we can.”
From The Epoch Times