Sanders says the media has turned politics into a beauty contest

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) on Monday called on President Biden to focus more on politics as he makes his case to voters and blamed the media for turning politics “into a beauty pageant.”

CNN’s Kaitlan Collins pressed Sanders on Biden’s age and ability to fulfill his role as president on Monday’s episode of “The Source.” Sanders expressed confidence in Biden’s ability to serve as president, but continued to emphasize that the candidates’ positions on policy are what matters most.

“It’s a problem,” he said when asked about Biden’s age. “But you know what else people are worried about? Yes, they’re worried about his age. They’re worried about his mental acuity. But you know what else they’re worried about? families, paying the rent? They Are they getting a decent salary?”

“Let me just say this: What the media largely does is turn politics into a beauty pageant, into a contest to win a Grammy. You’re voting for someone in politics. Who’s going to make your life better? You “You want someone who thinks climate change is a hoax, who takes away women’s right to control their own bodies, who appointed extremely anti-union leaders to his administration, which is what Trump did,” Sanders continued.

Biden has been under attack in recent weeks following a difficult debate against former President Trump. Some Democrats, including some lawmakers, have called on the president to resign from the ticket, but Biden has said he will not do so.

Sanders also suggested that Biden interact with voters to make his case and again took aim at the media.

“And I think what he needs to do is go out, interact with people, turn off the teleprompter, and people will be able to judge for themselves how well he’s doing,” he said. “But I would also say we’re not talking about that. And that I really blame on the media. This is not the best artist. The truth is, Trump had a good TV show. He was a very good artist.”

“So what we have to do is inject politics, the contrast between what Biden represents and what Trump represents. And so if you do that, I think Biden will do well,” he added.

Sanders urged Biden on Sunday to appeal to voters by promoting his economic policy amid ongoing concerns about ageism. Sanders said in a CBS “Face the Nation” interview with Robert Costa that Biden needs to shift his focus to talking about an agenda for the working class.

This story originally appeared on thehill.com read the full story