In Boston, Bernie Sanders Refuses to Rule Out 2020

Photo by Phil Roeder on Flickr/Creative Commons

Sen. Bernie Sanders visited the Edward M. Kennedy Institute in Dorchester’s Columbia Point last week for a conservation with the Globe‘s James Pindell, ahead of his sold-out rally with Sen. Elizabeth Sanders at the Orpheum Theatre.

When asked if he is running for president again—the Vermont senator will be 79 when the 2020 election rolls around—Sanders deferred to a chapter in his recent book Our Revolution, in which he discusses the shortcomings of the corporate media.

“Too often, the media get involved in what I call political gossip,” Sanders said. “The issue of today, in my view, is to try to address some of the concerns that I raised about the collapsing middle class, massive levels of income inequality, being the only major country not to guarantee healthcare to all people—that’s what we focus on. We do our work. And when election time comes around, things happen. People decide to run.”

Prior to that question, Pindell asked if Warren had “gone with her gut” and endorsed Sanders in the Massachusetts primary, which Hillary Clinton narrowly won amidst suspicions of election law violations, Donald Trump would not be president. (Warren sat on the sidelines before endorsing Clinton in the general election.)

Though Sanders did not answer the question, he did say that Massachusetts should be proud of its senator. “And later, actually, Elizabeth and I are going to do an event together, and I’m going to do everything I can to make sure she’s reelected to the United States Senate,” he said.