We've yet to reach the 2020 November election, but some media are already thinking ahead to 2024. When The Washington Post's Robert Costa had a chance to chat with Sen. Bernie Sanders (D-VT) on Monday, he wondered if the self-described Democratic socialist would give the White House another go.
"I think the likelihood is very very slim at that," Sanders said. "I think next time around you're going to see another candidate carrying the progressive banner."
.@costareports: "Do you want to run for president again?"
— CSPAN (@cspan) May 11, 2020
Sen. @BernieSanders: " I think the likelihood is very very slim at that. I think next time around you're going to see another candidate carrying the progressive banner." pic.twitter.com/PQZvvutkJu
But Costa didn't detect a complete rejection, so he followed up to ask whether Sanders was leaving the door open just a smidge. Sanders laughed and told Costa to stop going full media and already speculating about 2024. His singular focus, he said, is to unite the Democrats to get the "dangerous" man out of office.
"I think it's very unlikely that I will be running for president ever again," he emphasized.
He did his part by endorsing Joe Biden last month. Good luck convincing Bernie die-hards to vote for the establishment candidate when many are still smarting from the last election.
I don't think age plays a factor in Sanders's decision. The man had a heart attack last fall and a few weeks later was back on the campaign trail. But he must be sick of being an also-ran by now. I'm sure lawmakers like Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) would be happy to carry his progressive banner from now on.