Science says age is only a number, not a proxy for physical and mental fitness. But with three Democrats in their 70s vying to challenge the oldest first-term president in American history, age's importance will be tested as never before.
"I'm not going to sugarcoat aging," said well-known aging researcher S. Jay Olshansky of the University of Illinois at Chicago. But, he added,"how many times they've traveled around the sun should not be a litmus test for the presidency." Some experts have called for independent health exams for presidents and candidates of all ages, much like the fit-for-flight physicals that pilots undergo. To Newman, the grueling endurance contest that is a U.S. presidential campaign is a pretty good substitute.
Biden had a brush with death in 1988, requiring surgery to repair two brain aneurysms — weak bulges in arteries, one of them leaking. Medical records released in 2008 during Biden's vice presidential campaign showed he'd made a full recovery with no trouble since. Not surprisingly, 37-year-old Pete Buttigieg, the youngest of the candidate crop, should have the most years ahead of him.
When it comes to brain health, even normal aging can bring a slowing of certain functions such as retrieving memories. Trump has targeted Biden's career-long penchant for verbal gaffes, such as when Biden recently compared"poor kids" with"white kids." Trump later questioned whether Biden is"mentally fit to be president," an ironic dig given the president's own slips and lack of verbal finesse.
He's no REAGAN!!
So Trump is 73 guessing you all forget.
Joe Biden is A Retread, Just Retire Joe, Take All the Money you Fucked the Taxpayers out of, The Whole System in this country needs An Over Haul. Government is Supposed to Work for the Good of All, not Just a Few, That can Enrich themselves.
Now talk about Supreme Court justices.
Mind?
“Science” doesn’t say anything. “Science” isn’t some disembodied authority figure going around saying anything. It is not mysticism. I hate that y’all present it as such. When you downgrade the idea of what science is to the level of mysticism you elevate mystics &their nonsense
Joes got one foot in the grave and the other on a banana peel
Time for a woman to take a shot.
I think we need wise leaders. Work out the age of maturity and start there.
Age is a number, no two 70-year olds are the same.
Of course health is important. However having a good memory is part of that 'good health'. Biden seems to have lose some of his.
Sorry but 70 should be politicians mandatory retirement age
Not just too old....
I really like certain candidates but there are a couple of them that I would like better if they were younger than what they are. This is for the presidency, it is a big deal.
Biden is my guy
Some people age much better than others so to a certain degree it depends on the person. Genetics, lifestyle, attitudes factor in with aging.
We would like to think that age is just a number but most of us know the longer we live that it simply isn't true.
Mark of a dying culture.
Science tells us bodies and brains weaken with age. It's ridiculous we are choosing between candidates far past their mental peaks. We have a minimum age to be president. We need a maximum age.
yes
We already have proof that age is a big reminder how not to go there DT wrong
Mother trump is old like a moon rock and is still shaking his moon to people. A silly old apy human.
“Age is only a number” Reference please...
Democrats tend to pick running mates who are much dumber to make themselves look smart, Gore, Biden.
My parents are in their 70's. It's too old for the Presidency. America deserves a President at their prime.
It’s not his age I fear, it’s his past history I fear, no credibility for me.
Bernie is mentally sharper than both trump and biden. With that being said..we need an age limit on who can run for president. If you have to be 35 years old, you shouldn't be allowed to be double that age. Simple as that.
Maybe we shouldn't worry as much about age, but rather we should worry about whether running for President should require an education, experience in government, foreign policy etc...& absolutely extensive financial & moral background checks.
He is too old, not because of his chronological age, but because he's already displaying signs of dementia.
Not to worry, Trump in 2020.
Biden is very physically fit Bernie & Bonespurs... no
If elected... Sanders would be 78 at the start of his inauguration; Biden would be 77. Technically 70s is accurate but also misleading. ...with one in their 70s and two almost 80 - there, that should do it! Thanks:)
I’m 75 and I can still ride my motorcycle Trike, do woodworking and other things. However I have to be careful because forget things, and at times I get confused. I’m retired and don’t have to do anything. 70s in my opinion is to old to be President.
No old stale ideas, samre old PROMISES, old and new DELUSIONS all mashed up like mash potatoes milked down to much. Feel me!
Science says we die at 76. This is nonsense.
Age ain't nothing but a number Biden dont know where he is Bernie thinks he running in Venezuela Buttigieg thinks america is ready for a gay President when we wouldnt elect a women So dems you have no one Cory thinks you can hand out $1,000 per person 322 million RIGHT
How old is the incumbent again? Get bent, ABC News.
I don’t think George Washington would agree
I think as recently as a couple decades ago this would have been a much more serious risk to debate. I'd argue though that with medical advancements and what we now understand, age should be at least less of a general consideration.
Sounds like ABC (just another MSM) is pushing the good ole DC swamp gangstas who have been collecting political welfare checks most of their lives. Age DOES matter if youve been part of the running-the-nation-into-the-ground problem for most of it!
It is my hope that a bunch of young people with daddy and granddaddy issues can see the forest for the trees and chooses wisely. They will decide who our next president is.
If a host of a reality tv show can be elected I’m sure we can elect an actual experienced politician in their 70’s.
Low energy pedo Joe will never make it. The Dems are doomed once again!
Everyone ages differently. For some the body is strong, but the mind is slipping and others just fat.
I'm 74. Dont tell me age is just a number. Aging for real. Mid 70s are not the same as 60
Trump proves he's mentally unfit every single day
'Science says age is only a number, not a proxy for physical and mental fitness.' You must be kidding. That's definitely NOT what science says... 🙄
Yeah well the law says age isn’t just a number. Perverts.
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