Sen. Bernie Sanders, the 81-year-old socialist’s top adviser, said he would “take a hard look” at launching a White House run in 2024 if President Biden decides not to seek re-election.
“I think he’s going to take a hard look at it,” said Sanders adviser Faiz Shakir CBS News Thursday.
“I don’t want to judge him. Obviously, this will be his choice. But I think he wants to reconsider that,” Shakir said of Sanders.
The independent Vermont senator previously sought the Democratic presidential nomination in 2016 and 2020. Shakir served as Sanders’ campaign manager in his last failed bid for the White House.
A longtime Sanders adviser said the senator is “very aware that he’s getting older now,” but he’s confident he’ll consider a third run for president.
“He has to make a real judgment about his strength, endurance, desire, hunger and passion to do it a third time,” Shakir said. “If it is an open field? Yeah, I’m sure he’ll take another look at it.â€
Biden, who turned 80 last month, has yet to officially announce he will run for re-election, but has said he plans to run again in 2024 and may announce in the new year.
“Personally, I take President Biden at his word, and our orbit takes him at his word and assumes he’s pushing for a yes,” Shakir told CBS News, adding that he hasn’t taken any steps in preparation. A scenario in which Biden does not run for re-election.
The former president, 76-year-old Donald Trump, was announced as the only candidate for the presidency in 2024. He announced the launch of his 2024 campaign last month during a speech at his Mar-a-Lago estate.
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