Sanders brushes off talk of 2020 bid: My focus is on midterms

Sen. Bernie SandersBernie SandersThe Hill’s 12:30 Report: Milley apologizes for church photo-op Harris grapples with defund the police movement amid veep talk Biden courts younger voters — who have been a weakness MORE (I-Vt.) on Sunday downplayed talk of a possible White House bid in 2020, saying he’s focused on helping Democrats in the 2018 midterms.

“Really right now what our focus is on is 2018. … Doing everything that we can to see that the Democrats regain control of Senate and House and some governors’ chairs as well,” Sanders said on CBS’s “Face The Nation.” 

Politico reported last week that Sanders, 76, met with several of his top political advisers recently to discuss a 2020 campaign for president. Sanders’s wife, Jane Sanders, his former campaign manager, a pollster and fundraiser were reportedly among those in attendance.

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Sanders lost the 2016 Democratic nomination to Hillary ClintonHillary Diane Rodham ClintonWhite House accuses Biden of pushing ‘conspiracy theories’ with Trump election claim Biden courts younger voters — who have been a weakness Trayvon Martin’s mother Sybrina Fulton qualifies to run for county commissioner in Florida MORE, but won several states during the primary campaign. A recent poll showed Sanders, former Vice President Joe BidenJoe BidenHillicon Valley: Biden calls on Facebook to change political speech rules | Dems demand hearings after Georgia election chaos | Microsoft stops selling facial recognition tech to police Trump finalizing executive order calling on police to use ‘force with compassion’ The Hill’s Campaign Report: Biden campaign goes on offensive against Facebook MORE and media mogul Oprah Winfrey all beating President TrumpDonald John TrumpSenate advances public lands bill in late-night vote Warren, Democrats urge Trump to back down from veto threat over changing Confederate-named bases Esper orders ‘After Action Review’ of National Guard’s role in protests MORE in a theoretical 2020 match-up.

Sanders on Sunday downplayed reports he’s gearing up for another presidential campaign, saying he typically speaks with his political advisers every other week.

“I’m afraid to say it was not a big deal,” Sanders said of the Politico report.

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CBS host Nancy Cordes noted that Sanders’s son, Levi Sanders, tweeted following the Politico report that the senator is “contemplating a run.”

“I love my son very much but he is not aware of all the things we’re doing,” Sanders said.