Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) urged President Biden to set aside concerns about age and focus on policy issues that appeal to working-class voters.
Sanders, in an interview with Robert Costa on CBS’ “Face the Nation” on Sunday, said the Biden campaign needs to shift its strategy.
“The American people want policies over the next four years that address the needs of the working class of this country,” he said, “and so, frankly, I don’t think the president has advanced that agenda.”
“He has to say, ‘I’m prepared to stand up against corporate greed, against gross income and wealth inequality, and with the working class of this country,'” he continued. “If he does that, he’ll win, and he’ll win big.”
“I’m not going to lie, but I’m going to be honest about it,” Sanders said. “I’m not going to lie about it, but I’m not going to lie about it.”
“This is not a Grammy contest for best singer. Biden is older and not as eloquent as he once was. I wish I could jump up the steps of Air Force One, but I can’t,” Sanders said. “We need to focus on policies that have benefited and will benefit the vast majority of people in this country.”
Five House Democrats have called on Biden to drop out of the race, and Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.) is reportedly trying to get his fellow senators to do the same. Sanders said Warner hasn’t approached him about joining the discussions and he’s not interested.
“Biden’s performance in the debate was terrible. I think he’s done better since then, and he needs to do better. I know that’s a legitimate concern,” Sanders said. “But most importantly, this is not a beauty contest. It’s not a Grammy contest. This is a contest about who’s going to stand with the majority of people in this country, the elderly, the children, the working class, the poor, and that candidate is clearly Joe Biden.”
