© 2023 Vermont Public | PRIVACY

Public Files:
WVTI · WOXM · WVBA · WVNK · WVTQ · WVTX
WVPR · WRVT · WOXR · WNCH · WVPA · WBTN-FM
WVPS · WVXR · WETK · WVTB · WVTA · WVER

For assistance accessing our public files, please contact hello@vermontpublic.org or call 802-655-9451
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
Available On Air Stations

Explore our coverage of government and politics.

Senior Sanders Advisor Offers Update On The Candidate, And Campaign, After Heart Attack

Sen. Bernie Sanders speaks at a campaign event in New Hampshire on Sunday, Sept. 29, at Dartmouth College.
Cheryl Senter
/
AP
Sen. Bernie Sanders at a campaign event in New Hampshire on Sunday, Sept. 29, at Dartmouth College. A week later, Sanders underwent a medical procedure for what was ultimately found to be a heart attack.

Ten days ago, Sen. Bernie Sanders had a heart attack at a campaign event in Las Vegas. Doctors discovered Sanders had a blocked artery and inserted two stents to repair that blockage. But what does Sanders' health mean for the campaign, and the Democratic presidential primary? Vermont Edition talks with senior campaign advisor Jeff Weaver to get an update on the candidate and his campaign.

Earlier this week, Sanders told the New York Times he planned a "slow" return to the campaign trail. Sanders now says he "misspoke" and plans an active campaign. Weaver said there will be "an easing back in to the brutal schedule" of campaigning.

One thing Weaver said was not discussed in the wake of the heart attack was Sanders potentially quitting his quest for the presidency.

"There was never any discussion about dropping out of the race," Weaver said. "Absolutely not."

Weaver said the Senator will "absolutely" be at three-hour debate on Tuesday, Oct. 15.

In a video released by the campaign this week, Sanders stated he feels "great" and vowed to return to "the campaign trail as soon as possible." 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V7wlnI4Koco

Listen to the full interview above with campaign advisor Jeff Weaver to hear more about how Sanders is recovering, questions the heart attack raises about candidates' age in the Democratic primary and criticisms about the campaign's slow acknowledgment of Sanders' medical condition in the days after the heart attack.

Broadcast on Friday, Oct. 11, 2019 at noon; rebroadcast at 7 p.m.

Bob Kinzel has been covering the Vermont Statehouse since 1981 — longer than any continuously serving member of the Legislature. With his wealth of institutional knowledge, he answers your questions on our series, "Ask Bob."
Originally from Delaware, Matt moved to Alaska in 2010 for his first job in radio. He spent five years working as a radio and television reporter, radio producer, talk show host, and news director. His reporting received awards from the Alaska Press Club and the Alaska Broadcasters Association. Relocating to southwest Florida, he was a producer for television news and NPR member station WGCU for their daily radio show, Gulf Coast Live. He joined Vermont Public in October 2017 as producer of Vermont Edition.
Related Content