It was reported last week that Lev Parnas’ attorneys had released an 84-minute long audio recording of President Trump speaking with guests at a private dinner in 2018. This is the same video on which he is recorded saying he wants the U.S. ambassador to Ukraine, Marie Yovanovitch, fired.

But there was something even more interesting on the recording.

Trump is heard saying, “If Bernie would have been Vice President, it would have been tougher. Because all those people that hated her [Hillary] so much voted for me. You know, I got 20% of the Bernie vote because of trade. He’s a big trade guy. You know he basically says we’re getting screwed on trade. And he’s right. I’m worse than he is. And we can do something about it…He’s the only one I didn’t want her to pick.”

(Note: When I listened to the tape, I thought I heard 40% instead of 20%.)

The first recording below includes only this particular exchange. The second includes the full 84 minute version.

So, what does this mean for President Trump if Bernie Sanders wins the Democratic nomination? Sanders leads the 2020 candidates in terms of betting odds at 38%. He has surged ahead of Biden in Iowa which puts them at 25% and 22%, respectively. He has taken a decisive lead in New Hampshire with 23%. That puts him ahead of his closest competitor in the Granite State, Buttigieg, who is at 15.8%.

At first glance, a race between Trump and Sanders looks like an easy win for Trump. But, Crazy Bernie does appeal to a lot of people.

I’m not going to make any predictions, but I will say that Sanders would have been much more competitive against Trump four years ago. If possible, he has veered even further to the left since then. And I don’t know if Americans are quite ready for socialism. Still, I do hope there’s an age limit for vice presidential candidates. If there isn’t, we might one day be looking at Vice President Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.

Trump has the power of the incumbency, a soaring economy, what I view to be numerous foreign policy wins and he’s kept all of his campaign promises.

It would be an interesting match-up.

Trump on secret recording:

"If Bernie would have been VP it would have been tougher…I got 20% of Bernie vote because of trade. He's a big trade guy…

Had she picked Bernie Sanders it would have been tougher. He is the only one I didn't want her to pick."#BernieBeatsTrump https://t.co/n27miR67kT pic.twitter.com/pJUpwGcHxm

— antifascist sister (@BernForBernie20) January 25, 2020