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U.S. Senate candidate, er, U.S. Rep. Bernie Sanders held a news conference this morning to talk about the ongoing fight in Congress over the Commodity Supplemental Food Program.

But the focus shifted from hunger to Hezbollah and Hamas, and Rich Tarrant.

Sanders held the Monday morning conference to say that as a result of the ups and downs of funding, the Commodity Supplemental Food Program can now serve 500 more low-income Vermont seniors. He wanted to get the word out that there are more slots available.

Sanders had previously held a news conference to say there was a battle in Washington over the funding, which the Bush Administration proposed slashing.

One veteran political columnist questioned why, then, was Sanders talking about the food program again. Could it be ... an election year?

Other questions posed to Sanders: What should the United States’ role be in the Israel-Lebanon situation? Are we going to see Sanders and Republican Senate hopeful Rich Tarrant together? Who are you voting for in the Republican primary?

Sanders’ answers: the U.S. has been distracted with Iraq and should have been paying more attention to Hezbollah. Maybe then the situation wouldn’t have deteriorated quite so far. Yes, Sanders plans to debate Tarrant, and he’s looking forward to it. On the primary? A hearty laugh.

And on whether this is an election year? Sanders didn’t need to answer.

—Sky Barsch