Too Old to be President of the United States?

Op-ed by TheWiseOldFart

What age should the President of the United be when elected? I admit that this is an unfair question. The presidency does not require a great amount of physical exertion. However, it does require enormous mental acuity.

What must be said is that spending 8, 10, or even 12 hours each day reading, studying situations around the world, and deciding how every event will affect our nation’s people and then evaluating the choices made by her or him result in fatigue.

The most recent example is President Joe Biden. His many accomplishments prove that his mind is sharp. However, at times he appeared tired.

On June 27 of this year, he had just come back from a lengthy trip in service to our country. He was clearly not feeling well and appeared to be exhausted. He is 81 years of age.

The mainstream media, in collusion with Donald Trump, made Mr. Biden’s age an issue.

Ronald Reagan was 69 years old when elected in 1980. In the first year of his first term, after serving for just over two years, he needed longer naps, and displayed what happens to all of us as we age.

In his second term, which began in his 73^rd year, he became the butt of jokes for late-night comics based on his need for longer and more frequent naps. By the end of his second term, it was clear that he was suffering from dementia, Alzheimer's, or another form of mental decline.

Trump was 71 years old when he was sworn in, in January of 2017. His official work schedule, when he was in the White Huse, was from 11 a.m., until 3 p.m., although he seldom remained in the Oval Office for the entire four-hour period. Most of his four years were spent on a golf course, partying at his Mar-a-Lago resort, or holding one of his infamous hate rallies. By his own admission, much of his time spent in the White House was involved with watching FOX News, where “he learned everything he needed to know.”

Although he managed to avoid most of his responsibilities, he often appeared tired and had difficulty walking.

AN ACT OF PATRIOTISM AND COMMON SENSE

On July 21 of this year, President Biden formally withdrew from his reelection campaign. I must tell you that I predicted Mr. Biden would be a one-term president in 2021.

When his term ends on January 20, 2025, the President will have served his country as a Senator, Vice-President, and President for nearly 52 years. Enough is enough. It’s time to enjoy his remaining years with his family and friends.

I am aware that this was in many ways a difficult decision. His agenda for saving our nation from the failures of another Republican president is not complete. However, his decision was based on his love of country, and common sense, and I admire him greatly.

WHAT MATTERS MOST IN 2024

In 2023, the American people were disappointed and divided. It appeared that deciding who would lead our nation in 2025 would once again be between two, old, white men: President Biden, and Donald Trump.

The President will be 81 on election day, November 5, and Trump 78.

Trump’s primary criticism of Mr. Biden was his age, calling him “Sleepy Joe.” I can only imagine the fear he felt when on July 21, Kamala Harris, a 59-year-old woman, replaced the President as the Democratic candidate.

Once again, age became a major issue. Trump constantly stumbles over words, and forgets the names of his allies during his rallies. Although his speeches have always rambled on and on, repeating the same basic message, in 2024 some of his supporters are exiting his hate rallies before he completes his often incoherent speech.

Trump’s birthday is June 15, 1946. President Biden was born on November 20, 1942. If our nation’s people lose their collective mind and reelect Trump, he will become the oldest president in history, surpassing President Biden by five months. If he survives another term, he would be 82 when he refuses to leave office again.

CHRONOLOGICAL AGE IS NOT CRITICAL, BUT FOR A PRESIDENT, MENTAL ACUITY IS

Trump is unfit for any office which affects anyone other than himself. He displayed his inability to focus on important issues when he was sitting in a New York court facing criminal prosecution. He fell asleep multiple times although his personal future was in jeopardy.

What would he do if a crisis occurred in the middle of the night? Would he ignore the call? Would he be in a state of consciousness which would make him capable of comprehending what was happening? He appears unable to do the latter at his current rallies.

Finally: Trump’s plans for our country would move our nation backwards, again. Kamala Harris will work for all Americans, not just a few, and move us forward with courage and resolve into the 21^st century.

America is no country for old men whose mental abilities are in decline.

Op-ed by James Turnage

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