Biden president at 78.

[mikkyr]

I just don’t really understand... 78? He will be 82 at the end of his term. They’ve made such a big deal about Trump being one of very few presidents who failed to secure a 2nd term so will Biden run again at 82? And then we have a 86 year old US president at the end of that term?

Is the consensus that Biden won’t see out this term and hand over to Harris?

I recall my grandparents needing 2 days of recovery after their UK-SA air travel at a younger age and there is no jet lag to factor in.
How is this guy going to cope? And quite honestly why does someone who should be enjoying their retirement have any desire to be president. I get these men live off power but why do voters think this is reasonable.

@Sara2000 president of what? Get your facts straight; "America" is a continent. Or rather two continents - north and south.

. I think most people understand what is meant when someone says America in this context.

You must spend your whole time getting worked up if you cant work that one out.

Such an ageist post. I hope there comes a time when such posts are seen as unacceptable as racist, sexist, or homophobic posts. Open your mind to the quality in age.

It is a sectarian twat/cunt

@BabyEI

Such an ageist post. I hope there comes a time when such posts are seen as unacceptable as racist, sexist, or homophobic posts. Open your mind to the quality in age.

Hurrah!

It is a shame this needs saying - but it is always heartening to see ageism called out for what it is.

Meh. Hes an old man running the most powerful country in the world. Its ridiculous. You call it ageist. I call it common sense. He canr even remember names and sounds barely more coherent than Trump. Let's see how long he lasts.

@BabyEI

Such an ageist post. I hope there comes a time when such posts are seen as unacceptable as racist, sexist, or homophobic posts. Open your mind to the quality in age.

That’s ridiculous. Asking questions and looking for opinions is not ageist racist or sexist. That’s the whole bloody point of putting questions and opinions out there ... so you can learn and understand and perhaps change your point of view based on the responses you get from others! All things in life are multi faceted and are viewed differently from each individuals perspective. Would be interesting to note if all those calling out ageism were young folks or those considered older? Bet your perspective would have been different 50 years ago when you were in your 20s talking about a 78 year old man running the US. Churchill himself ran his health into the ground during his last year as prime minister until it necessitated his resignation! I’m sure many younger folks had a lot to say about it at the time.

@Sara2000

Meh. Hes an old man running the most powerful country in the world. Its ridiculous. You call it ageist. I call it common sense. He canr even remember names and sounds barely more coherent than Trump. Let's see how long he lasts.

You can call it what you like. It’s ageist, pure and simple. Clearly you missed Biden’s speech yesterday which was articulate, coherent and to the point, more than you can say about the considerably younger Johnson’s wafflings.

How is it ageist to acknowledge that a person's mental and physical capabilities slow down as we get older? For every 80 year old on this thread that is still (apparently) whizzing around like they're 15, there's a 1000 that aren't. It's ridiculous to suggest that we can't mention this, for fear of seeming discriminatory. I'm (only) in my mid 40's and I know myself I'm probably past my peak fitness.

The pension age in this country is 66 for a multitude of reasons and giving a 95 year the chance to finally build that 10 foot wall in his back garden by hand is not one of them.

Just because Biden was the least worse option between him and Trump does not mean that we shouldn't be able to question whether he's going to be up to the job at hand.

@KurtansCurtains

How is it ageist to acknowledge that a person's mental and physical capabilities slow down as we get older? For every 80 year old on this thread that is still (apparently) whizzing around like they're 15, there's a 1000 that aren't. It's ridiculous to suggest that we can't mention this, for fear of seeming discriminatory. I'm (only) in my mid 40's and I know myself I'm probably past my peak fitness.

The pension age in this country is 66 for a multitude of reasons and giving a 95 year the chance to finally build that 10 foot wall in his back garden by hand is not one of them.

Just because Biden was the least worse option between him and Trump does not mean that we shouldn't be able to question whether he's going to be up to the job at hand.

No, but it is discriminatory to suggest that a demonstrably vital, active and mentally acute person should be questioned merely because of their age.

On a more general note, isnt it really difficult to know where the line is when you want to want to acknowledge the issues someone in a particular demographic may face yet you don't want to stereotype.

Specially these days, when there is so much talk of identity politics - when things get written onto policy and law you should be really precise about things, but it's just such a nebulous area.

@mikkyr But your OP didn't say "Is this individual capable of handling the presidency", it said "is a 78 year old capable of handling the presidency". That's the essence of ageism - regarding someone as defined solely by their age.

How is it ageist to acknowledge that a person's mental and physical capabilities slow down as we get older? It's not ageist to say that on average mental and physical capabilities decline with age. It is ageist to say "this person is old and therefore their mental and physical capabilities must have declined to make them incapable of this job".

Just as it's sexist to say "this person is a woman and therefore must be hopeless at maths" or "this person is black and therefore must be musically talented".

Just because Biden was the least worse option between him and Trump does not mean that we shouldn't be able to question whether he's going to be up to the job at hand. You absolutely should question it, on the basis of his individual qualities and his record so far. What you shouldn't do is assume he isn't, simply because of his age.

@BlueCatRedCat

And quite honestly why does someone who should be enjoying their retirement have any desire to be president. I get these men live off power but why do voters think this is reasonable.

He's spent 50 years in public service for the country he loves. He's aspired to be president for over 30 years, this was his third run. He's well liked and respected on both sides of the aisle. It was him that helped Obama get any sort of cooperation from the Republicans during Obama's time in office - Obama had only had a couple of years in senate before he became president and he was not particularly liked outside his party, Joe had all the political connections. His son died 5 years ago, and told his dad before he died that Joe needed to make sure he had a purpose in his life. He's seen his beloved America torn apart by a sociopath, and has stepped up in the hope he can heal the divisions. Not all older people aspire to sit in a chair watching daytime TV for the remainder of their lives. Why not give him a chance?

Completely agree

"It's not ageist to say that on average mental and physical capabilities decline with age. It is ageist to say "this person is old and therefore their mental and physical capabilities must have declined to make them incapable of this job".

Just as it's sexist to say "this person is a woman and therefore must be hopeless at maths" or "this person is black and therefore must be musically talented"."

You're confusing different things there. There's no basis for saying women can't do maths and black people are musically talented, but as you admit yourself there is basis for saying that people slow down as they get older.

He’s not doing the work all by himself though is he?

He has aides and advisors to assist him. He has a team, plus he knows what kind of work it entails. It’s not like he’s a newcomer like Trump. He has decades of experience in the US government on top of having been Vice President for eight years, four years ago.

Is there someone else you can name with his qualifications, experience, and already established rapport with U.S. allies?

Age shaming is discrimination.

Personally, I'd like to see election laws here in the USA changed so that before you can run for State or Federal office, you must have a physical by an independent doctor, a psychological evaluation by an independent psychologist, and a financial review by an independent forensic psychologist. If that were in place, Trump would never have been elected in the first place, and no one would question Biden's fitness for office. Of course, if Trump hadn't been elected, Biden wouldn't have run.

Trump managed to get by with very little travel (except to Florida) and a non-grueling schedule. So did George W, for that matter. Biden is full of energy and drive.

"He’s not doing the work all by himself though is he?

He has aides and advisors to assist him. He has a team, plus he knows what kind of work it entails. "

The buck stops with him though doesn't it? It's not a normal job, it's potentially 24-7 and a hand on the nuclear button.

As mentioned by PPs, Trump didn’t work very hard (allegedly).

It is not his age but his corruption and nepotism that are a problem.
that the Democrats could not find anyone better speaks volumes.

This is just one of many accounts:

theintercept.com/2019/10/09/joe-hunter-biden-family-money/

As for Harris, not corrupt but what a wokefest.

@TheNighthawk

It is not his age but his corruption and nepotism that are a problem. that the Democrats could not find anyone better speaks volumes.

This is just one of many accounts:

theintercept.com/2019/10/09/joe-hunter-biden-family-money/

As for Harris, not corrupt but what a wokefest.

Biden's Corruption?

Biden's nepotism?

Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha...

[takes breath]

Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha haHa ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha haHa ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha haHa ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha haHa ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha haHa ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha

Oh, and fuck off with the racism.