Bernie Sanders just ended John Delaney’s presidential aspirations

Tonight we are seeing the final round of 20 Democratic presidential hopefuls. The focus out of the gate is healthcare. Specifically, what has been considered the most “radical” of recent policies—Medicare For All. With Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren, and Pete Buttigieg representing the furthest left positions on tonight’s Motor City stage, the rest of the field has been attempting to present the GOP position that any public healthcare system means everybody loses the healthcare they already enjoy—if they enjoy it. Former Rep. from Maryland, John Delaney has been vocal in his criticisms of both Sens. Sanders and Warren and their adherence to a Medicare for All universal healthcare platform. The opening question of tonight’s debate was to Sen. Sanders, asking him to reply to Delaney’s insistence that a universal healthcare platform will lead to a Donald Trump second term. Sanders answer was pretty simple.

You’re wrong.

It’s pretty great and led to the much-needed reminder that this position is literally parroted by the Republican Party and private insurance lobbyists.

But Bernie wasn’t done. Realizing that he is one of the targets for Democratic candidates trying to stay in the primary race. Candidates like Tim Ryan whose angle on the Sanders Medicare For All bill is that it might not be a great deal for everybody. After Sanders explained that his bill would be better for seniors because it is a fully comprehensive program, Ryan tried to grab some light by x and undermining him. This led to this exchange.

Ryan: You don’t know that Bernie.

Sanders: I do know, I wrote that damn bill.

That led to an applause break.

Finally, Delaney, who continues to point to his time as a private insurance businessman himself as the basis for his expertise on healthcare, got this reality check from Sanders.

Sanders: Maybe you did that and made money off healthcare, but our job is to run a nonprofit healthcare system.

RIP John Delaney’s 2020 presidential run.