Bernie Sanders at Debate After Heart Attack: ‘I’m Healthy’

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) participates during the fourth Democratic primary debate of the 2020 presidential campaign season at Otterbein University in Westerville, Ohio on Oct. 15, 2019. Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) said that he’s “healthy” at the Democratic presidential debate on Oct. 15.

Sanders, 78, suffered a heart attack on Oct. 1 while campaigning in Las Vegas. He said he was scaling back his travel and campaign events.

“You’re 78 years old and you just had a heart attack,” the debate moderator said on Tuesday, wondering how he could reassure voters that he’s healthy.

“Let me invite you all to a major rally we’re having in Queens, New York,” Sanders said. “We’re going to be mounting a vigorous campaign all over the country. That is how we can reassure the American people.”

“I’m healthy. I’m feeling great,” he said.

He thanked people for their support.

Democratic presidential candidate former Vice President Joe Biden speaks in a Democratic presidential primary debate hosted by CNN and The New York Times at Otterbein University in Westerville, Ohio on Oct. 15, 2019. AP Photo/John Minchillo

The moderator turned to former Vice President Joe Biden, who is 76.

“I’ve watched it, I know what the job is, I’ve been engaged. One of the reasons I’m running is because of my age and my experience. With it comes wisdom.

“We need someone to take office this time around who on day 1 can stand on the world stage, command the respect of world leaders from Putin to our allies, and know what has to be done to get this country back on track.”

“I know what has to be done. I’ve done it before,” Biden added later. “I’ve gotten so many of pieces of legislation passed ... I know what has to be done. I will not need any on-the-job training on the day I take office.”

He reiterated a pledge to release his medical records, saying he would do it before the first primary, which is slated for Iowa on Feb. 3, 2020.

Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) speaks during the Democratic Presidential Debate at Otterbein University in Westerville, Ohio on Oct. 15, 2019. Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images

Sen. Elizabeth Warren, 70, who would be the oldest president to be inaugurated if she was elected, said in response to a question about voters indicating a preference for younger candidates: “I will outwork, outorganize, and outlast anyone, and that includes Donald Trump, Mike Pence, or whoever the Republicans get stuck with.”

Along with Trump, 73, the four top candidates are all septuagenarians.

Re. Tulsi Gabbard, 38, was asked about her age as well. The moderator noted she'd be the youngest president in office if she was elected.

“I’m glad you asked. It’s not fair to ask these three about their health and their fitness to serve as president but not every one of us,” she said.

“Here’s the real question: who is fit to serve as our commander-in-chief,” she said, adding she thinks she has the necessary military experience and time on military-related committees in Congress to serve in that position.