Former Democratic National Committee interim chair Donna Brazile predicted a massive field of 2020 presidential candidates on Tuesday, telling MSNBC's Chris Matthews she foresees 25 potential Democratic contenders.
Matthews asked Brazile about possible candidates like Sen. Bernie Sanders (I., Vt.) and Joe Biden, who are 76 and 75, respectively, and wondered if there should be an "outer age where you're just too old to run" for presidents.
"Chris, I predict tonight that there will be literally over 25 people who will consider running for president," she said. "Perhaps Joe Biden, Bernie Sanders."
Other rumored contenders include Sens. Cory Booker (D., N.J.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D., N.Y.), Elizabeth Warren (D., Mass.), Kamala Harris (D., Calif.), Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe, Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti.
"Should the older guys run?" Matthews asked.
"The last thing I'm going to do at the age of 57 is to kick somebody who's 65 or 70 and tell them that their days are over," Brazile said.
"Donna, they're way over 70," Matthews said, laughing. "Why are you dodging this?"
"Chris, we have a big bench. I'm not asking anybody to leave the room," Brazile said. "I think the Democratic Party should allow everybody to run, everybody who wants to run. Let's not dog people just because of their age."
Matthews also asked Brazile about her new book Hacks: The Inside Story of the Break-ins and Breakdowns that Put Donald Trump in the White House. Brazile wrote she found "proof" of the Democratic primary being "rigged" for Hillary Clinton over Sanders, although she has since walked back that stance and even tried to claim she never used the word "rigged" in her book—she did.
Matthews said the DNC debate schedule looked "rigged" for Clinton, but Brazile put the blame on former chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D., Fla.). She said party leaders didn't understand there was a "great hunger" from the party's rank-and-file for additional debates and forums.