By Ted Cohen

The political establishment is reeling from analyst Mark Halperin’s prediction that Vermont’s senior senator is likely be the left’s presidential nominee in two years.

“He’s got a ton of energy,” Halperin told CNN’s Michael Smerconish. “He’s not a normal 80-something.”

“I ask Democrats and Republicans who are skeptical of my view that Bernie is rising to be the most likely nominee, tell me, what’s his second-biggest barrier to being the nominee?”

For Halperin, next to Sanders’ age – he would be 91 at the end of his term – his only other problem could be that he’s “too liberal,” but the veteran political analyst says the party’s mood is shifting on that. 

“He’s got experience running before,” Halperin added. “He’s won primaries, he’s won caucuses, he can raise a ton of money.”

To set voters at ease about his age, Sanders would have to pick a running mate who people felt really comfortable with and he’d have to say, ‘Unlike my two predecessors, I will be totally forthcoming about my health,’ according to Halperin.

“Now, I’m not I’m not handicapping how he’d do in the general election, but as a force to win the nomination, I believe he’s I believe he’s extremely strong,” Halperin added.

Halperin’s resume shows he has the cred to make such a bold prediction, previously having served as political director for ABC News.

He has also been a 20-year board member of the New Hampshire Institute of Politics at Saint Anselm College in Goffstown, New Hampshire.

Halperin is also a former political analyst and editor for Time magazine.

He has also co-authored the bestselling books Game Change and Double Down: Game Change 2012.

He gained attention for predicting Donald Trump’s political potential long before mainstream media networks took his 2016 candidacy seriously.

He was one of the earliest political journalists to predict that President Biden would drop out of the 2024 presidential race.

Halperin also correctly anticipated inside dynamics surrounding candidates, such as the friction within the 2008 McCain campaign over running mate Sarah Palin.