Originally Posted by
theimage13
Re: Sanders.
I believe, for a number of reasons, he would have beaten Trump in the general in 2016. But that's a dead horse that doesn't need to be beaten any more than it already has.
2020? I'm sorry, I don't see it happening. Age really will be a factor for a lot of people, regardless of whether it is or isn't for you. I lost both of my grandfathers around the age he'd be come election time, and they were both people who were in good health with relatively stress-free retirement years. So when I compare that to someone who would be taking on what is arguably the most stressful job in the world, I do worry that I wouldn't be electing a president to a four year term. I guess what it might come down to for me is who his running mate is. I do not look his age as a detriment to his mental capacity or ability to lead; he's proven time and time again that he's still sharp as a tack and full of great ideas to help get this country back in line with the civilized world. But I'm realistic about the rigors of the job and what they do to someone 20-30 years younger than him. And while I'm sure many people would look at this with the same caution that I do, others would outright say "he's too old" and vote for someone else.
In other words, I don't see him even getting the nomination should he run again for 2020. IF he did, I think he'd have a very good shot at #46 (or #47, should someone finally shoot himself in the foot by then....). I just don't see the country nominating someone of his age in such a high-stakes year.
I kind of wish timelines had been turned - can you imagine eight years of Sanders from '08-'16, then an even more politically experienced Obama running to take his place?