Old Presidents, Old Presidents!
Alright, folks, the 2024 White House race is shaping up to be a real exercise in time‑travel. Young folks are riding the wave of fresh faces, yet Americans—presidents included—are stretching their work weeks well past the classic retirement age of 65.
Age Check: The Top Two in the Physical Exam
Consider this: Ronald Reagan was 77 when he left the Oval Office; Joe Biden will hit 80 next month and could be a whopping 86 by the end of his potential second term. His main challenger, Donald Trump, would be 82 when he moves out of the White House if he wins in 2024.
Our Aging Nation (and Its Work Ethic)
- The population aged 65 and over is expected to almost double from 52 million in 2018 to 95 million by 2060.
- By 2026, a little more than a quarter of all men over 65 will still be on the job—Population Reference Bureau says.
Do the Numbers Look Too Big?
Some folks are raising eyebrows about the seniority of these two front‑runners. Polls show:
- 71 % of Democrats say Biden is “mentally sharp and able to take on challenges.”
- No, 46 % of those same voters think he might be hunting the hill‑climb in 2024.
- Only about 26 % of Republicans doubt Trump’s ability to sprint the final stretch because of age.
- On the whole, 68 % of the public think Biden might be too old two years from now, and 49 % feel the same of Trump.
- Shocking, but 86 % of Americans feel that the upper age limit for Presidents should be 75 or younger.
Old Talk, New Speech
Critics point to Biden’s occasional gaffes and wandering monologues as signals of age. US supporters counter that the President has been improvising front‑speeches for decades, overcoming a childhood stutter he’s now turned into his personal brand.
Recent Wins, a Fresh Breath of Life
Leadership on track: the Democrats surprised folks by performing better than expected in midterm congressional and gubernatorial races, giving Biden a boost in his second‑term prospects.
White House Speaks
When asked about age before he hits 80, White House spokes‑person Andrew Bates said, “Since 2019, Barack apps delivering the most votes, job creation, fair bill flow with big corporations, Medicare’s drug spend, gun reform, and the biggest infrastructure splash since the ‘50s—you’ve watched him. Watch him.”
Supporters’ Mixed Potpourri
- Paul Klenck, Illinois: “I think he’s done a great job, but I’m concerned a man in his mid‑80s is in this tackle. I’m not sure no one else will face these demands.”
- Catharine Stimpson, NYC, 86: “People under 60 should never march into political power. The ridicule about Biden is ageism. Let’s look at the man, not the number.”
Biden’s Own Reaction
During a recent MSNBC interview, when Biden was asked about his upcoming 80th, he chuckled, “I can’t even say what I’m going to be. I can’t get it out of my mouth.” He stuck with the move: “Questions about my age are totally legitimate, but I intend to pursue another term.”
Takeaway
The choice ahead is not just about policies but biographies. Should we pick a fresh volunteer or a seasoned, albeit pre‑senior, general? Only the voters can decide, and their room for humor, quite literally, is in the kitchen of democracy.
Ageing America, ageing leaders
The 88-Year-Old Congress: A Mix of Wisdom and Worries
Picture the U.S. Congress as a grand old family reunion where most of the guests are Baby Boomers—the folks born between 1946 and 1964. According to a Pew Research report, more than half of the House representatives and two-thirds of the Senate belong to this age group.
Who’s still hanging out?
- House Speaker Nancy Pelosi—the queen of Congress—just turned 82.
- Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell—the adviser to the GOP—faux‑wisened at 80.
- Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa, a seasoned veteran of 89 years, clinched another six‑year term on Tuesday.
Not everyone is clear‑cut optimistic about the age factor. A Reuters poll shows that two‑thirds of Americans favor an upper age limit for federal officeholders—presidents, congress members, even Supreme Court justices. The idea seems to be that less wisdom comes with more wrinkles.
Biden’s Place on the “Oldest Leaders” List
Although Joe Biden is 78, he isn’t even in the top ten of the world’s oldest serving leaders. The front‑row spot goes to 89‑year‑old Cameroon’s President Paul Biya, followed by 82‑year‑old Queen Margrethe of Denmark, and a few others.
Experts Say Age Is Just a Number
Deborah Kado, co‑director of Stanford’s Longevity Centre, reminds us that elders bring experience and that “experience shouldn’t be dismissed.”
Stuart Jay Olshansky from the University of Illinois at Chicago called Biden a “super‑age”—an older person who still keeps a sharp mind. “Age is simply used to attack,” he said, urging people to stop weaponizing age.
Polling Insights
The Reuters‑Ipsos online poll sampled 1,003 adults (468 Democrats, 342 Republicans) across the U.S. Its uncertainty margin is just ±4 %, giving us a fairly reliable snapshot.
In short, while some voters prefer younger leadership, many experts argue that age alone isn’t a reliable metric for capability.
