Senator Bernie Sanders will not be running for the Presidency at the 2020 US general elections. At 77 and having been running all his life, Mr Sanders decided last week to save his breath by walking into a local radio station to declare his ambition for the Presidency.
The senator will be joining the already crowded team of Democrats presidential candidates who are intent on taking power from Trump in case he does not self destruct before his term is over. Bernie may become the oldest American President in modern history, if he wins the election in 2020. But, Americans will be spared that blush, because Bernie has a lot of baggage that would most certainly hinder his mobility as he is supposed to be travelling light campaigning around the country.
The senator from Vermont has one of the finest minds on tour that beguile his age. The gentleman covets debate and intellectual engagements the way Nigerian politicians yearns for positions. He is not an instituted Democrat but found home among the Democrats as a socialist,and has never defected in defeat. He will be running as usual on a mantra of populist economic agenda: bridging income inequality, higher taxes for the super rich, medicare and education for all and at all levels. Above all, he'll be generally creating a conducive environment for social, racial, and environmental justice.
Politics is expensive everywhere. Rather than sell his ambition to the godfathers that will later incapacitate him, Mr Sanders chose the people. Within 24 hours of his declaration, he was able to raise $6m from the grassroots to kick off the campaign. He has three homes and with a total net worth of $700,000, the senator is not even financially qualified to run as a senator in Nigeria.
Bernie Sanders has never stole and not encumbered with the burden of financial allegations. His cognitive ability is remarkable as he needs no one to process information for him. He reels out figures to support his economic plan as if he’s reading from a teleprompter. He is old but not obsolete, understands questions and has a clear chain of thoughts. Sadly, his grassroots strength may end up as his albatross in the days to come.
Trump won the electoral college but lost the popular election to Hilary. When the push comes to shove, the elitists will allow the people to have their say while they will have their way. Democracy may be a game of numbers but it doesn’t always add up when the poor are being counted.
Not knowing what our Presidential candidates stand for should not discourage you from performing your civic responsibility.
All the same: Vote. It may count!
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