Reagan was a consequential presidential who left office at 77 just as his mental decline was becoming apparent. After living through both the Biden Administration and start of Trump's second term, I can't understand why anyone would ever vote for a presidential candidate again who was over the age of 72, regardless of their party label. I am reading Jill Biden's new book "View from the East Wing" to see if my harsh assessment of her role in encouraging Joe to run again is fair and fact-based. I suspect Trump would not have won a second term if Biden had honored his early pledge to be a transitional president and announced he would not seek re-election during 2023.
The problem, Carl, is that age is one of many factors. To my mind, that’s where primary voters can make a difference - and put a good age high on their list of qualifications. I too am reading Jill Biden’s book, but I have not finished. I am enjoying what she has written about her childhood, but I do not see her changing anyone’s mind on her belief that Joe Biden should have stayed in the 2024 race, and if he had, he would have won. We know the couple believe he would have won if he had stayed in the race. I suppose that is (remotely) possible, but he just seemed too rickety for the job.
Biden could have said that he refused to debate Trump until Trump acknowledged the results of the 2020 race were valid. Trump would have almost certainly refused, and Biden's epic meltdown on the debate stage would never have been witnessed by the American public. Even Jill now admits, however, that Joe probably couldn't have completed a second term.
Looking at my local political environment, I know that fresh ideas don't always come from young people. However, I also think that people get tired, sometimes, by the same politicians popping up over and over again. It's probably why voters rejected Jeb Bush and Hilary Clinton. I remember watching Sarah Huckabee Sanders give a rebuttal after one of Biden's SOTU addresses and I remember her talking about a time for younger, newer voices. I thought for sure voters in the primaries and caucuses would have chosen DeSantis or Nikki Haley instead of another term with and old voice, past ideas. Again, while age doesn't always indicate new or old ideas, but I will be happy to hear some fresh voices in 2028.
I previously noted that Biden & Trump have convinced me never to vote for a presidential candidate over the age of 72. There is, however, a 78-year-old senate candidate competing against a 41-year-old in a primary on Tuesday who would receive my vote if I was a registered Democrat in Maine. Although Mills would become the oldest freshman senator in U.S. history if elected, a yawning gap on issues such as work experience, personal integrity, and general character can prompt me to cast a ballot for a "museum piece."
That is such a good point, Monica. I heard a recent interview with Robert Harris about his historical novel, “Precipice” about PM H.H.Asquith’s affair with a young socialite Venetian Stanley. Asquith was sloppy with state secrets. He would get intelligence reports while in his carriage, wad them out and toss them out the window. Harris said that when you have been in power for too long - more than 30 years in various offices - you can’t see outside your bubble.
You are right, Anne. I didn't want to make this another long list in one piece, but Kelly definitely should be on a more comprehensive list.
Reagan was a consequential presidential who left office at 77 just as his mental decline was becoming apparent. After living through both the Biden Administration and start of Trump's second term, I can't understand why anyone would ever vote for a presidential candidate again who was over the age of 72, regardless of their party label. I am reading Jill Biden's new book "View from the East Wing" to see if my harsh assessment of her role in encouraging Joe to run again is fair and fact-based. I suspect Trump would not have won a second term if Biden had honored his early pledge to be a transitional president and announced he would not seek re-election during 2023.
The problem, Carl, is that age is one of many factors. To my mind, that’s where primary voters can make a difference - and put a good age high on their list of qualifications. I too am reading Jill Biden’s book, but I have not finished. I am enjoying what she has written about her childhood, but I do not see her changing anyone’s mind on her belief that Joe Biden should have stayed in the 2024 race, and if he had, he would have won. We know the couple believe he would have won if he had stayed in the race. I suppose that is (remotely) possible, but he just seemed too rickety for the job.
Biden could have said that he refused to debate Trump until Trump acknowledged the results of the 2020 race were valid. Trump would have almost certainly refused, and Biden's epic meltdown on the debate stage would never have been witnessed by the American public. Even Jill now admits, however, that Joe probably couldn't have completed a second term.
Don't rule out Sen. Mark Kelly. Far better than several other possible nominees.
Looking at my local political environment, I know that fresh ideas don't always come from young people. However, I also think that people get tired, sometimes, by the same politicians popping up over and over again. It's probably why voters rejected Jeb Bush and Hilary Clinton. I remember watching Sarah Huckabee Sanders give a rebuttal after one of Biden's SOTU addresses and I remember her talking about a time for younger, newer voices. I thought for sure voters in the primaries and caucuses would have chosen DeSantis or Nikki Haley instead of another term with and old voice, past ideas. Again, while age doesn't always indicate new or old ideas, but I will be happy to hear some fresh voices in 2028.
I previously noted that Biden & Trump have convinced me never to vote for a presidential candidate over the age of 72. There is, however, a 78-year-old senate candidate competing against a 41-year-old in a primary on Tuesday who would receive my vote if I was a registered Democrat in Maine. Although Mills would become the oldest freshman senator in U.S. history if elected, a yawning gap on issues such as work experience, personal integrity, and general character can prompt me to cast a ballot for a "museum piece."
That is such a good point, Monica. I heard a recent interview with Robert Harris about his historical novel, “Precipice” about PM H.H.Asquith’s affair with a young socialite Venetian Stanley. Asquith was sloppy with state secrets. He would get intelligence reports while in his carriage, wad them out and toss them out the window. Harris said that when you have been in power for too long - more than 30 years in various offices - you can’t see outside your bubble.