Sanders turns aside 2020 speculation

Like the veteran politician he is, Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders deftly turns aside speculation about his political future, especially as it relates to another White House run.

'2020 is a very long way off,” Sanders said earlier this week, denying his campaign-style rally at 7 p.m. Friday at the Veterans Memorial Coliseum, 50 Second Ave. Bridge in Cedar Rapids, is a prelude to another bid for the presidency. 'We have to worry about 2018 first, and that's what I intend to do.

He doesn't have a timeline for making decision about the 2020 election 'except to tell you that right now is much, much too early to have that discussion,” said Sanders, who competed with Hillary Clinton for the 2016 Democratic nomination.

For now, Sanders is touring with the Not One Penny campaign that calls for the repeal of the Republican federal tax cuts, which he says not only 'gave huge breaks to the wealthiest people in this country and corporations, but at the end of 10 years, 83 percent of the tax benefits will go to the top 1 percent.”

Between now and the midterm election in November, he'll be traveling the country in support of progressive candidates and to get more working people and young people involved in the political process.

Sanders said he is encouraged by the increase in participation and activity since the 2016 election, 'but I'm never confident about anything until the votes are counted.”

'So I'm going to do everything I can politically to see that Democrats have a shot at winning back the Senate and the House,” he said.

Free registration for the rally is available on Eventbrite.

l Comments: (319) 398-8375; james.lynch@thegazette.com