The Age Question

[barbara]

http://www.cnn.com/2014/04/25/politi...tml?c=politics


Is age a critical factor when considering a presidential candidate?

[merrylander]

Other than what the Constitution requires not really, except I should think mental age is important. There are senior members on this board that I would not entrust with a tricycle let alone the presidency. I am not even certain I would trust myself.

[donquixote99]

For each candidate, there should be a long-form, unscripted interview. then you could judge based on the individual, not the number.

Whether there will be such an interview is doubtful, though.

[icenine]

I do not think it matters as long as she or he is healthy. Reagan was pretty old and McCain is obviously capable of leadership. In this age if infirmity becomes an issue we will see it almost immediately.

If either Hillary or Biden run I think they will have a younger running mate. I would not be surprised if Hillary just does one term. And women last longer than us men

[Boreas]

I think 35 is too young from the standpoint of maturity and experience but, at the upper limit, I don't think you can safely generalize.

John

[4-2-7]

Yes too young of an age is more detrimental than an elder of experience.

Looking at higher ages I would need to know the health and stamina of the individual. We have all watched the Presidency beat down the individual over time. I thought Bush got stronger over time and look at him today mountain biking and running.

Hillary's health I would defiantly question. She was beat down as SS doing nothing but traveling. She looked young and vibrant in 2008 until her emotional breakdown towards the end of the primaries. After her term a SS she went into hiding because she was so run down, (oh and Benghazi) I don't see her being able to handle the job, no stamina and her health will be a hindrance.

[barbara]

Originally Posted by icenine

I do not think it matters as long as she or he is healthy. Reagan was pretty old and McCain is obviously capable of leadership. In this age if infirmity becomes an issue we will see it almost immediately.



If either Hillary or Biden run I think they will have a younger running mate. I would not be surprised if Hillary just does one term. And women last longer than us men

I agree that health might be a consideration but I don't think that applies only to older candidates. If I remember correctly, JFK had health problems and he was relatively young.

[Boreas]

Originally Posted by barbara

I agree that health might be a consideration but I don't think that applies only to older candidates. If I remember correctly, JFK had health problems and he was relatively young.

He had Addison's disease and also severe chronic back pain from injuries he received in the "PT-109" incident.

John

[BlueStreak]

Physical health would be less important to me than mental acuity. As age advances, individuals can experience difficulties due to early onset of dementia, Alzheimers, etc. and associated memory losses, lapses, perceptual issues and so on.

Although some seem to remain remarkably sharp to their final days.

Dave

[Pio1980]

Mental acuity vs likelihood of completing the commitment in reasonably good health.

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