Sanders' Heart Procedure Highlights Age as Campaign Issue

As of Wednesday evening, Sanders, 78, was still recovering in the hospital in Las Vegas, where he arrived a day earlier for a series of campaign events. Jeff Weaver, a longtime adviser to the senator, said he had experienced “some chest discomfort” at an event Tuesday night; a medical evaluation found blockage in one artery, and two stents were inserted.”

Sanders’ episode is likely to intensify the focus on age in the Democratic race, even as much of the public debate has centered on policies like health care and immigration. The three leading Democratic candidates, as well as the president they are vying to challenge, are all in their 70s. One of those Democrats, Joe Biden, 76, has drawn his own age-related scrutiny because of his sometimes rambling discourses and uneven answers in debates.

At the same time, Democratic voters and officials have been divided over whether it is time to make way for a younger candidate who represents generational change in the party.

Campaign aides did not provide any further information about Sanders’ episode. Throughout the day, Sanders’ top advisers remained guarded, telling other staff members little, even as some supporters sought to project optimism both in private conversations and on Twitter.

Late Wednesday afternoon, however, Sanders posted a tweet thanking his well wishers and using the incident as an opportunity to plug his signature policy proposal, “Medicare for All.”

Sanders’ campaign said he began experiencing chest pain during a campaign event at a restaurant in Las Vegas on Tuesday night, where spoke to a crowd of about 250 people. As Sanders began taking questions from the audience, he asked a staff member for a chair, an unusual request from a candidate who typically stands or paces onstage. “It’s been a long day here,” he said as he sat.

On Wednesday, Weaver spoke only in general terms about Sanders’ prognosis.

“Senator Sanders is conversing and in good spirits,” he said in the statement. “He will be resting up over the next few days. We are canceling his events and appearances until further notice, and we will continue to provide appropriate updates.”

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