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.

@Polishedandbatty

I’m not talking about his stutter. The other day he introduced one of his granddaughters as her dead father, Beau.

That kind of thing is often stutter related. I do similar.

I'm only 64 and I mix up my dog and my daughter all the time, it's a thing people do with the names of those they love - my grandmother did it with her daughters and grandchildren, my mother did it with her sisters and my brother and me for as long as I knew her (so not an age thing).

I don't think I'm ageist to feel ''pissed'' that when I was in my mid-forties, ageism definitely affected my re entry in to the workplace. I finally found a job in a sector that is fairer (in its policies) so I finally after 3 years of job hunting and being fired from shit jobs found a secure job where there is a minimum level of respect. So to accuse normal working people of ageism because they look at a 78 year old and wonder how he slipped through the net............. not really ''ageism, I'd wager. I seriously despair that a 'mum returner' in her forties or early fifties is considered so old she's unemployable but a 78 year old can be president,a nd not only that, but to ask if he could have a second term is ageist!?!?!?!?

'' I’m not talking about his stutter. The other day he introduced one of his granddaughters as her dead father, Beau. ''

Mixing up names of people in one's family is something many people do, especially when tired. I can't tell you the amount of times I have called my sibling my kids' names. She probably reminds him of Beau and he will see him in her all the time!

We all have strengths and weaknesses and whilst yes one of Biden's is that he is frailer than he used to be, his strengths are his political experience, connections, maturity and wisdom that come with age.

I thought it was fairly well known that Biden's a trojan horse for Harris, as the party know the US is rammed with racist misogynists (see present incumbent as example #1)?

I'm only 64 and I mix up my dog and my daughter all the time, it's a thing people do with the names of those they love - my grandmother did it with her daughters and grandchildren, my mother did it with her sisters and my brother and me for as long as I knew her (so not an age thing).

It might well be an age thing. Getting someone’s name wrong momentarily isn’t the same thing as putting your arm round a young girl and saying, “ “This is my son, Beau Biden who a lot of you helped elect to the Senate in Delaware.”

I mean... come on.

I'm glad he is older, he has had more life experience.

This is the stupidest thread I’ve seen for a while...

And quite honestly why does someone who should be enjoying their retirement have any desire to be president

Hmm you could be PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES or ‘enjoy retirement’.....have you heard yourself OP?!

sevencontinents

I’m sure he is a wonderful man. I don’t believe he is in fit shape to be President for even one term, unfortunately.

The most frighteningly energetic, dynamic woman I know is 82.

The US seems to historically vote older Presidents. I guess its partly to do with only being allowed to serve two terms.

Those mentioning the Queen, she has political papers she reads daily and meets with PM every week. As well as the ceremonial stuff opening Houses of Parliament, Armistice Day and the other jobs she does. She's slowly been handing more over to Prince Charles and I expect that she will retire in April when she turns 95, Prince Philip retired at 95.
She's slowly

I think the Vice president will do the lion's share or the work with him as a figurehead?

@flaviaritt

sevencontinents

I’m sure he is a wonderful man. I don’t believe he is in fit shape to be President for even one term, unfortunately.

But how do you know, I mean, really?? Yes, you can speculate but why make the leap that man at 78 = not in a fit state to run the country? Why not give him a chance? For the record, I think the Democrats have absolutely done the right thing having a younger, more progressive representative in the VP role but I DO think there is a subtle ageism here which is placing far too much emphasis on the down-sides of his age and not enough on the huge advantages that such an experienced person brings to the table.

I do find it a bit strange that the rest of the population is considered over the hill and instructed to bow out gracefully at 66 but apparently running the country can be done from 78-82.

Mind you I have a lot of friends in the US and they aren't as ageist as they are here in the UK plus they seem to value experience more. I worry for my job seeking friends here even in their 50s as the odds are really stacked against them.

I dont think he is that old?

The Queen should be handing over to Charles imo. However She doesn’t have to do a lot of things other elderly have to do such as cooking, cleaning , worrying about the bills and house maintenance though. People are around her helping her constantly.
If the president is just mainly a figurehead and other people are going the hard work then it’s ok being president at 78.

It’s not even subtle ageism. Those saying that he is too old are essentially saying that they wouldn’t employ someone because of their age. That is ageism however you try to dress it up.

Bearing in mind that he opted not to live in the White House when he was VP, but instead commuted to work on public transport.... every day.... for eight years. And that was only four years ago.

The grand daughter he called Beau is Beau's daughter. I expect he meant to say this is the daughter of my son Beau.

Again, when you have a stutter you often make mistakes like that.

But how do you know, I mean, really??

I don’t. I think. Like everyone else, I have an opinion. It’s just not the one you want me to have.

But he runs on stage all the time so must be super human

Someone younger can get ill too.

As he is committed to climate change (and there's a global pandemic), he doesn't need to be travelling anywhere anyway.

Polishedandbatty

Possibly. It didn’t look that way to me, and nor do his many other errors. He looks on the edge of serious decline. With that said, I prefer him to Trump so it’s a lesser of two evils situation.

@ivfbeenbusy Biden is also deeply anti British and anti Brexit so don't expect any support on that respect

Where do you get that he is deeply anti British from?

@Gemma2019

I do find it a bit strange that the rest of the population is considered over the hill and instructed to bow out gracefully at 66 but apparently running the country can be done from 78-82.

Mind you I have a lot of friends in the US and they aren't as ageist as they are here in the UK plus they seem to value experience more. I worry for my job seeking friends here even in their 50s as the odds are really stacked against them.

But people aren't instructed to bow out gracefully at 66. Retirement is a choice. Many people who retired have the odd experience of feeling bored or somehow 'older' or that they no longer have a purpose when they retire, so they choose to re-enter the workplace as it keeps them invigorated. I imagine Biden would fit into this category of person.