Sources
- https://www.pewresearch.org/politics/2023/09/28/majorities-of-americans-say-age-limits-are-needed-for-elected-officials-supreme-court-justices/
Pew Research Center provides authoritative data on public opinion regarding age limits for elected officials, including the presidency, which directly supports the discussion in the blog post. - https://www.nytimes.com/2023/02/07/us/politics/biden-trump-age-2024.html
The New York Times is a reputable source that has covered the age and health concerns of both Joe Biden and Donald Trump, providing context for the blog post's argument about age in the 2024 election. - https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/life-expectancy.htm
The CDC's National Center for Health Statistics provides reliable data on life expectancy in the US, which is relevant to the blog post's discussion about the average lifespan and implications for presidential candidates. - https://constitution.congress.gov/constitution/article-2/
The official U.S. Constitution website provides the text of Article II, which outlines the qualifications for the presidency, including the minimum age requirement, supporting the constitutional discussion in the blog post. - https://www.brookings.edu/articles/the-25th-amendment-the-difficult-process-to-remove-a-sitting-president/
The Brookings Institution offers an authoritative analysis of the 25th Amendment, which is relevant to the blog post's discussion about presidential succession and the role of the Vice President.
Key Points
- The blog post expresses personal views and not those of constitutionus.com or its affiliates.
- The 2024 Presidential Election features older candidates: Joe Biden (82 if elected) and Donald Trump (almost 79).
- By the end of the term in 2029, Biden would be nearly 87 and Trump would be 82.5.
- Some argue for an age limit for the President due to potential physical and mental decline.
- The average male lifespan in the US is 74.5 years, with an additional 7 years for those reaching 80.
- If the President is unable to serve, the Vice President takes over, raising questions about democratic legitimacy.
- The Constitution sets a minimum age of 35 for the President but no maximum age limit.
- The issue balances the importance of experience and wisdom against the need for physical and mental capability.
- The post invites contributions for future discussions on political views.
Summary
The blog post discusses the debate over age limits for U.S. presidential candidates, noting that both Biden and Trump would be in their 80s by the end of their terms, raising concerns about physical and mental fitness. While the Constitution sets a minimum age of 35 for presidents, it lacks a maximum age limit, sparking discussions about experience versus capability. The piece highlights the potential implications of an aging leader and the role of the vice president, emphasizing the complexity of the issue.
Please note that any views expressed on this page do NOT represent constitutionus.com or any of its affiliate websites. They are solely the views of the writer.
We accept opinion pieces on (almost) any political view to promote discussion and intrigue. If you would like to contribute to a future newsletter issue, please contact us at:
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Is the US, No Country for Old Men?
As we approach the 2024 Presidential Election, it’s worth considering the age of the candidates running for the top job. As you know, the current President, Joe Biden, will be 82 years old if he wins the election, while his opponent, former President Donald Trump, will be almost 79.
By the end of the presidency in January 2029, Biden will be nearly 87, and Trump will be 82.5.
Some people might argue that there should be an age limit for the President of the United States.
After all, age can bring physical and mental decline, and the President needs to be at the top of their game, both physically and mentally, to effectively lead the country.
The average lifespan for a male in the US is just 74.5 years, and the average lifespan for someone who reaches the age of 80 is only an additional 7 years.
In the event that the President is unable to fulfill their duties while in office, the Vice President would take over. When the people vote for the President and Vice President, they are aware that the Vice President may assume the role of President if necessary. However, it’s important to note that the Vice President has not been directly elected by the people for the role of President, leading to questions about the democratic legitimacy of their presidency.
The Constitution does set a minimum age for the President, which is 35 years old, but it does not set a maximum age limit. This means that, in theory, someone could run for President at any age as long as they meet the other eligibility requirements set forth in the Constitution.
This is a complex issue with valid arguments on both sides. The importance of experience and wisdom versus the need for a physically and mentally capable President are both valid concerns.
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Frequently Asked Questions
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2 Responses
Cognitive testing should be a requirement or all government offices. A minimum knowledge of world and domestic affairs should be required by testing candidates 90 days prior to elections. Test results should be made public within 48 hours. All public and private jobs require some type of knowledge of the job and task at hand when applying for the job. Sometimes applicants are required to take a written test. The military requires testing to find out what skills a candidate has and placed in training to hone those skills.
I take exception to this: “However, it’s important to note that the Vice President has not been directly elected by the people for the role of President, leading to questions about the democratic legitimacy of their presidency.”
The President, by design, is NOT elected by the people, but by the states. This is laid out in the Constitution, and there is no question of legitimacy whatsoever.