mobanmarketSen. Bernie SandersBernie SandersThe Hill’s 12:30 Report: Milley apologizes for church photo-op Harris grapples with defund the police movement amid veep talk Biden courts younger voters — who have been a weakness MORE (I-Vt.) slammed questions Thursday about whether he is too old to be president, saying the Democratic presidential candidates should be judged by their records.
“If I were to say to a younger person, you’re not qualified because you’re 35, 36, something like that, you don’t have the experience, that’s not right, I don’t think so,” the 77-year-old senator said after the second night of the first Democratic primary debates.
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“Judge people by the totality of who they are, what their ideas are, what their experience is, what their record is. That’s what I think we should do,” he said.
The comments come after age played a prominent role in the debate, with Rep. Eric SwalwellEric Michael SwalwellNASCAR bans display of Confederate flag from events and properties Gloves come off as Democrats fight for House seat in California Grenell says intelligence community working to declassify Flynn-Kislyak transcripts MORE (D-Calif.) calling on former Vice President Joe BidenJoe BidenHillicon Valley: Biden calls on Facebook to change political speech rules | Dems demand hearings after Georgia election chaos | Microsoft stops selling facial recognition tech to police Trump finalizing executive order calling on police to use ‘force with compassion’ The Hill’s Campaign Report: Biden campaign goes on offensive against Facebook MORE, 76, to “pass the torch.”
“I was 6 years old when a presidential candidate came to the California democratic convention and said it’s time to pass the torch to a new generation of Americans. That candidate was then-Sen. Joe Biden. Joe Biden was right when he said it was time to pass the torch to a new generation of Americans 32 years ago, he’s still right today,” Swalwell said.
Sen. Michael BennetMichael Farrand BennetSome realistic solutions for income inequality Democratic senators kneel during moment of silence for George Floyd 21 senators urge Pentagon against military use to curb nationwide protests MORE (D-Colo.) voiced similar concerns, though said he wanted a new generation of leadership since politicians have been thus far unable to tackle issues like economic inequality.
“Forty years of economic immobility in this country, and we haven’t figured out how to address it. I think it’s time for a new generation of leadership in the country, I agree with that,” Bennet said after the debate.
The two-dozen-strong primary field is hosting a diverse array of candidates, with a divide of 40 years between Sanders and 37-year-old South Bend, Ind., Mayor Pete ButtigiegPete ButtigiegScaled-back Pride Month poses challenges for fundraising, outreach Biden hopes to pick VP by Aug. 1 It’s as if a Trump operative infiltrated the Democratic primary process MORE.