Bernie Sanders to slow down campaign after recent heart surgery, says he was 'dumb' ignoring symptoms
Bernie Sanders’ electoral campaign for the 2020 elections was gaining momentum when he had a heart attack and found himself sidelined even as the political heat kept intensifying. The 78-year-old senator from Vermont is now ready to resume his mission and reintroduced himself to the campaign on October 8, when he said he had no plans of quitting the race in the wake of the illness but will certainly slow down his speed. Sanders, one of the prominent faces in the crowded Democratic race, was hospitalized last week in Las Vegas after he complained of chest pain while attending an event. He was diagnosed with a blocked artery and underwent a heart procedure.
Speaking to the media outside his home in Burlington, Vermont, Sanders said: "We were doing, in some cases, five or six meetings a day, three or four rallies and town meetings and meeting with groups of people. I don't think I'm going to do that.”
“But I certainly intend to be actively campaigning. I think we're going to change the nature of the campaign a bit. I'll make sure that I have the strength to do what I have to do”, he said. Sanders’ campaign canceled his events following his illness in Las Vegas and he was released from the hospital just a few days ago. He is set to attend the fourth Democratic presidential debate in Ohio on October 15.
The Democrat’s campaign though did not confirm whether he will resume his campaigning before the Ohio event or what will be his next set of plans. Sanders’ first exclusive interview is also scheduled to be aired on October 9.
Sanders’ health problems have raised questions at a critical time when the Democrats have gone all-out to corner President Donald Trump over an impeachment accusation. The poll numbers of Sanders, who also contested the 2016 election, saw a fall compared to his in-party rival Elizabeth Warren.
Sanders conceded to the media that he was “dumb” for ignoring symptoms ahead of his heart attack and that it could affect the voters.
Bernie's daughter-in-law dead
Meanwhile, the Sanders’ family was in for more shock over the weekend as Bernie’s daughter-in-law Dr. Raine Riggs died of cancer at the age of 46. She died just two days after being diagnosed with the ailment, as per an obituary from the Lee & Martin Funeral Home in Burgettstown, Pennsylvania.