Bernie Sanders thinks Democrats can get 'total opportunist' Trump to back progressive plans

November 8, 2018

Excerpts:

Sanders, who plans to meet with House allies next week, will push for Democrats there to advance the first step of his "Medicare for all" bill's four-year phase-in plan, which would lower the eligibility age for Medicare to 55 from 65 and cover everyone under 18-years-old.

"That is a wildly popular piece of legislation," he told CNN in a phone interview. "Would I be shocked if Donald Trump says, 'You know what, that's a good idea and I'm going to run around this country telling people that I, Donald Trump, not only saved Medicare but I lowered the eligibility age?' Would I be shocked if he came out and said that? No, I would not."

Trump, he said, is a "total opportunist" with "no political ideology" -- the kind of politician whose thirst for adulation might, under certain circumstances, lead to his signing, or even championing, just about anything.

The difference now, Sanders reasoned, is that Democrats will, for the first time during Trump's time in office, have the ability to set the agenda -- and a real hand to play in any potential negotiations. He is also planning to push House Democrats to move a bill increasing the federal minimum wage.

"In a few months, what I would hope to see is legislation to raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour and get that legislation to the Senate," Sanders said, issuing a challenge to his Republican colleagues: "And let the Senate vote against that if they want."

https://www.cnn.com/2018/11/08/politics/bernie-sanders-plans-new-house-majority-trump/index.html