Summary

Bernie Sanders won reelection to a fourth U.S. Senate term, defeating Republican Gerald Malloy and several minor candidates.

The 83-year-old Vermont independent, known for his democratic socialist views, has been a key figure in progressive causes, collaborating with the Biden administration on domestic policies like health care and workers’ rights.

Sanders cited threats to democracy, economic inequality, and climate change as motivations for seeking another term.

Malloy, a former Army officer and businessman, criticized Sanders for lack of results, while Sanders emphasized his record and commitment to progressive reforms.

  • @TheEighthDoctor
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    113 hours ago

    Hopefully he won’t get killed in the coming long knifes night

    • @demizerone
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      13 hours ago

      His blood is molasses and self healing.

  • @Olgratin_Magmatoe
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    577 hours ago

    He of all people has earned a retirement, but I’m still thankful that he’ll be around to add a voice of sanity.

  • @[email protected]
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    848 hours ago

    It’s great to see that Sanders is so popular. It’s sad to see that politicians of his caliber are so rare that if he ever retires, his absence will be painful.

    • @[email protected]
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      93 hours ago

      6 year term starting at 83 years old. That’s ridiculous. I like the guy, but seriously why is our country so fucked up that we would vote for someone for a 6 year position when they are ten years older than their expected life span.

      So what? At 113% expected age, let’s see if we can stack the stress of fighting a dictatorship forcing it’s way into fruition. Good look mate

      • @Lumisal
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        21 hour ago

        There was a study that showed controlled anger can keep you alive longer in old age.

        I remember it because I immediately thought “huh, ‘man to angry to die’ meme is real”.

    • @[email protected]
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      -168 hours ago

      Look into what a politicians salary is… unless your willing to be completely self sacrificing or come from old money, there is no altruistic way to maintain a position. There are very few exceptions, and any of them, like AOC could earn 10x absolute min via other methods at this point that would be illegal to do with her still in her seat.

      • @Entropywins
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        217 hours ago

        $174,000/yr…glad we have so many self-sacrificing, altruistic politicians willing to take that measly peanut salary

  • @IchNichtenLichten
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    528 hours ago

    I hate that we still need him, he’s 83 and should be putting his feet up but I’m glad he’s down for another term.

      • @IchNichtenLichten
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        188 hours ago

        AOC, I guess but we need more people who actually give a shit about the people they represent.

        • @[email protected]
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          127 hours ago

          I think we need to pay a lot more then. You should be able to support a family on a congressional salary. Which doesn’t seem currently possible given that it seems like you basically need to maintain two residences and travel costs.

          According to Google, they haven’t received a COLA for 15 years…

          • @IchNichtenLichten
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            177 hours ago

            Double it, triple it, but they don’t get to accept a single penny from anywhere else.

            • @[email protected]
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              140 minutes ago

              Yes, that’s how it’s supposed to be.

              People in my country complain that parliament gets paid way too much, but it’s 1) indexed to the mean (or maybe it was the median, I forgot) and 2) meant to be high so that they can comfortably live life without taking any bribes, while also having a long-ass commute for anyone who didn’t already reside in the capital.

  • @Rapidcreek
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    4810 hours ago

    He’ll be 89 years old when he finishes his term.

    • @[email protected]
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      4510 hours ago

      I’m not sure why Bernie is the exception for me…I feel like a giant hypocrite being ok with this. But dude does still seem spry AF.

      • NoneOfUrBusiness
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        238 hours ago

        Others mentioned the cognitive side; the other part is that Bernie isn’t out of touch. He knows what the people want and he voted for it. That’s very different to your average gerontocrat who barely knows what the internet is.

        • @FordBeeblebrox
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          34 hours ago

          He also got arrested at a protest as a young man and has been saying the same things about improving our country for decades, Bernie is a real one

      • Rhaedas
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        2910 hours ago

        That’s why age itself isn’t the problem. I see plenty of representatives far below that age that can’t do the job.

      • @[email protected]
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        199 hours ago

        It’s worth mentioning the POTUS is SIGNIFICANTLY more stressful and consequential than even his current position. Quite literally, stress can age you faster, inuring physical changes in the body. In addition to that, I also have faith in the people and professionals he surrounds himself with to stand by him because they believe he can do it, not because they want to be the puppeteers of a powerful senator. May be wishful thinking in the end, but I think the general point it the situations are quite different.

      • Drusas
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        58 hours ago

        Because he is still mentally sharp and he is still fighting as hard as he can for the average American. His values have not changed, nor has his fighting spirit.

        • @captainlezbian
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          48 hours ago

          Yeah he reminds me of my grandpa. Old as sin but smart enough that you might forget how old he is when he’s ranting.

      • Cethin
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        79 hours ago

        It should require cognitive tests. There are plenty of younger people who aren’t at the same cognitive level, and plenty older obviously. Age is a useful metric, but it isn’t actually the one that matters. It’s just much easier to identify.

    • @[email protected]
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      38 hours ago

      And that’s assuming he lives that long. Hopefully they’re working to groom a replacement and get a friendly governor.

    • qprimed
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      510 hours ago

      and, hopefully, we can finally let the man rest a bit.

    • @TropicalDingdong
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      -49 hours ago

      Look I did work for the guy, but 80 is too old. 89 is preposterous.

  • Curious Canid
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    379 hours ago

    Bernie is a national treasure. And no one who hears him speak will wonder about whether his mind is still sharp.