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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

God, give me the arrogance of a 77-y/o white man

42 replies

ZaphodBeeblerox · 19/02/2019 12:58

Bernie Sanders announces presidential run

Can you just imagine the complete uproar if HRC said she was going to run???

OP posts:

Mummyoflittledragon · 19/02/2019 13:47

stopfuckingshouting
I think age does have some bearing. Although it’s not good to be rude. BS will be in his 80’s and president if elected. In principle there is nothing wrong with this but with elevated age come risks.

Juells · 19/02/2019 13:48

I’m not an expert on American politics, it wasn’t he quite popular last time? Lots of people said the democrats should have chosen him not Hilary Clinton.

That's what I thought too. HC wasn't popular as she's seen as a war-monger - just like most US politicians are it seems.

I can't see that it's particularly arrogant to run for office at 77 if you're still energetic and think you can make a country better and more compassionate. All politicians think God is on their side, anyway.

beanaseireann · 19/02/2019 13:53

If I had a vote in US last time I'd have voted for Bernie Saunders.
I don't respect " I'm no Tammy Wynette Standing by her Man" Hilary Clinton.
I wouldn't have voted Trump either.
I don't think he should run this time but he should support someone of his ilk who runs.

GottenGottenGotten · 19/02/2019 13:57

So it's arrogant and entitled to go for a job if you got rejected first time round?

Eh?

GottenGottenGotten · 19/02/2019 13:58

Almost every politician that stands in my constituency has stood multiple times and never been elected. If they could only stand once we would run out of options!

Takethebuscuitandthesink · 19/02/2019 14:01

Not sure why his race is relavant . In a democracy he is perfectly entitled to run as many times as he wants. It is good to get people talking at the very least. Also as long as he is of sound mind why does his age matter?

BettyDuMonde · 19/02/2019 14:03

It’s important to have a wide variety of candidates in order to get a full breadth of political discussion in front of the people.

Sanders may well simply be ensuring that his preferred policies get another airing - if someone else steps up on a similar platform, he may well then step down in their favour.

It’s a long, long road to the nominations and I’m glad Sanders has decided to take up a position on the start line.

IWannaSeeHowItEnds · 19/02/2019 14:04

He can stand if he wants. There are some very youthful 77 year olds and some people who are old at 50!
HC was awful and didn't deserve to win - that Trump got elected instead is a damning indictment of her.
Now if Michelle Obama fancied running...

EstrellaDamn · 19/02/2019 14:07

It's more of a damning indictment of the US voting system really. And the very same thing could happen to the next Democratic candidate.

SaturdayNext · 19/02/2019 14:07

Given that Churchill was elected as PM at the age of almost 77, I'm not sure we're in any position to criticise.

PettyContractor · 19/02/2019 14:08

But if you compete, and lose, surely you go away.

Why? Sorry, this makes no sense. Politicians can stand as many times as they like. It's not as though losing on one occasion means they won't win on another. Even if they don't change, circumstances and the electorate may.

TeaForDad · 19/02/2019 14:08

HRC shouldn't run again because she already lost, ran a shit campaign, and is a sleaze.

Nothing to do with being a women and saying it might be is pretty patronising to these women who are immensely powerful and influential

BettyDuMonde · 19/02/2019 14:11

The idea that you only get one shot at a successful election is a very new one, on both sides of the pond.

Most people make more than one attempt.

Nesssie · 19/02/2019 14:11

How is it arrogance?
As a pp has posted, several presidents failed to be elected first time.
Can't see anything wrong with someone motivated enough to apply for a 'job' again.

Not sure why its arrogance, why it matters that he is white, or why it matters that he is 77.

AmICrazyorWhat2 · 19/02/2019 14:25

Sanders may well simply be ensuring that his preferred policies get another airing - if someone else steps up on a similar platform, he may well then step down in their favour.

I heard him on the radio this morning and he said that he wants to ensure that his message is heard. I don't think he's really expecting to win the nomination.

Also, Nancy Pelosi, the Speaker of the House, is 78, turning 79 this year. She's a very powerful woman in politics.

Juells · 19/02/2019 14:26

TBH I'm getting a bit pissed off at the word 'white' being used now as an insult.

TSSDNCOP · 19/02/2019 14:34

I think it's more that he's setting up the field. Anyone else will have to debate the issues he's espousing until he drops out or is beaten in the primaries.

We should all be hoping both parties search hard and deep for a runner to beat L'Orange, preferably one that doesn't think you can win just by assumption or because you were married/are related to a previous office-holder.

Is there an unarrogant politician of any race, age or gender?

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