Sanders urges Biden to focus on economic policy amid age concerns

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) urged President Biden to put aside concerns about his age and focus on policy issues that appeal to working-class voters.

Sanders said in a CBS “Face the Nation” interview with Robert Costa on Sunday that the Biden campaign needs to pivot its strategy.

“The American people want an agenda for the next four years that speaks to the needs of the working class of this country,” he said. “So, frankly, I don’t think the president has brought that agenda forward.” 

“He has got to say, ‘I am prepared to take on corporate greed, massive income and wealth inequality and stand with the working class in this country,’” he continued. “He does that, he’s gonna win, and win big.”

Biden has faced rising criticism from within his party to leave the campaign after a faltering debate performance last month. Sanders acknowledged the concerns but said he still has confidence that Biden can defeat former President Trump in November.

“This is not a Grammy Award contest for best singer. Biden is old. He’s not as articulate as he once was. I wish he could jump up the steps on Air Force One, but he can’t,” Sanders said. “What we have got to focus on is policy, whose policies have and will benefit the vast majority of the people in this country.”

Five Democrats in the House have called on Biden to leave the race, and Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.) is reported to be organizing senators to do the same. Sanders said Warner has not contacted him about joining the conversations, and that he is not interested.

“Biden had a terrible debate performance. I think he’s done better since, he’s got to do better again, and I know that that is a legitimate concern,” Sanders said. “But I think most importantly, now, this is not a beauty contest. It’s not a Grammy Award contest. It is a contest of who stands with the vast majority of the people in this country, the elderly, the children, working class, the poor, and that candidate is obviously Joe Biden.”