The news this morning that Bernie Sanders is putting his campaign on hold after being treated for a blocked artery has elicited understandable alarm from his supporters. It's been compounded by news that his campaign has canceled a major two-week $1.3 million ad buy in Iowa, which, on the face of it, sounds even more alarming.
But there is little reason to worry. According to the Sanders campaign, after experiencing “chest discomfort,” the senator had a medical evaluation, the blockage was discovered, and two stents — tiny tubes placed in an artery to keep it open and reduce the risk of more serious issues — were inserted. According to Jeff Weaver, Sanders's senior adviser, Sanders is “conversing and in good spirits,” and will be resting up for a few days, during which time he won't be doing scheduled campaign events and appearances. This most likely explains the ad-buy cancellation, too: Sanders was meant to be in Iowa this weekend, and there's little point in spending so much money on an ad campaign if it won't line up with physical appearances.
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