Far-left firebrand Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) blasted Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley on Sunday for her suggestion that a mandatory competency test be given to elected officials over 75 years of age.
Speaking on CBS’ “Face the Nation,” Sanders labeled the idea as “absurd” and called it “discriminatory” against older Americans.
The former presidential candidate told host Margaret Brennan that there is a fight against racism and homophobia, and “I think we should also be fighting ageism.”
Sanders charged that there are many 40-year-olds who should not be considered competent. He suggested that people should instead “look at the individual” and judge them on their beliefs. He decried what he called “a blanket statement.”
Ageism’: Bernie Sanders blast Nikki Haley’s call for competency test for 75-year-old politicians https://t.co/65bAtLoy9F
— The Washington Times (@WashTimes) February 19, 2023
Sanders faces reelection to the Senate in 2024 and has not made a declaration on running for the White House again. Haley, who is also a former United Nations ambassador, threw her hat into the presidential ring last week.
The 51-year-old former South Carolina governor apparently took a shot at the two leading contenders for the next election cycle — 80-year-old President Joe Biden and 76-year-old former President Donald Trump.
Haley declared that it is time for the U.S. to see “the permanent politician” finally step aside. She stated her belief that the country will have term limits for Congress and should pursue “mandatory mental competency tests for politicians over 75 years old.”
She included in her announcement speech a call for “a new generation” of political leaders.
Haley is involved in another age controversy after embattled CNN host Don Lemon slammed her for being past her “prime.” The host started a firestorm of controversy by saying that women are only in their prime years in their “20s, 30s, and 40s.”
Lemon asserted that he was just “saying what the facts are. Google it…Nikki Haley should be careful about saying that politicians are not in their prime, and they need to be in their prime when they serve.”
He has since apologized.
Fox News’ Trey Gowdy observed that Haley is unlikely to be derailed by Lemon’s comments and said that she’s seen it and heard it all before.” He noted that she became governor of South Carolina by running against and defeating three men.
The former representative called the CNN host’s comments “patently stupid.”
