Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., expressed concern Sunday about young and working-class voters turning out for Democrats in the midterm elections.
Having been alienated by high inflation and rising gas prices, the young and the working class might be discouraged from voting for the Democrats in November, the 81-year-old senator told CNN host Jake Tapper during an appearance on “State of the Union.”
“I am worried about the level of voter turnout among young people and working people who will be voting Democratic,” he said. “And I think, again, what Democrats have got to do is contrast their economic plan with the Republicans.”
Sanders maintained that both young people and working-class people “are upset” because “real wages” have not increased during the past half-century.
Pinpointing “”So, I believe what the Democrats have got to say is, ‘We are going to stand with working people,'” Sanders said of corporate greed as a root of American misery. We’re ready to take on the pharmaceutical firms. We’re ready to take on the insurance giants and build an economy that works for everyone.'”
Playing “devil’s advocate,” Tapper asked Sanders what he would say to people who would point out that Democrats have dominated the executive and legislative branches while inflation has skyrocketed, which he claimed may lead some voters to question, “Why should I vote for you again?”
“However, Republicans are effectively saying — and I think everyone gets this — ‘Look, we are willing to let the United States fail on its debt, not lift the debt ceiling until… you talk about making sacrifices,'” Sanders added. “Isn’t that reckless? It’s completely irresponsible. You don’t do that by raising the debt ceiling.”
