My elderly parents think Joe and Hillary are too old to run for Pres.

[RandySF]

Last edited Fri Nov 15, 2013, 12:14 AM - Edit history (1)

I'm not joking. My dad is 77 and mom is 71, in good health and love both people. But they are actually holding out for younger candidates. In the end, they'll probably vote for Hillary, But it's interesting that they feel this way.

[Warpy]

1. I'll vote for whatever stiff the party decides on

but I'm hoping very much that Clinton is out in the primaries for a number of reasons. Her age is one of them but it's at the bottom of the list.

[msongs]

2. time for somebody to campaign as a democrat, win, and govern as a democrat nt

[DJ13]

6. Democrat.....

Isnt that a creature of myth that hasnt been seen for over 30 years?

[GreenStormCloud]

3. Face it. When we get old we lose health.

I am 67 and there are things that I just can't do anymore. I need more sleep than I once did. I notice that the downhill slide now has a faster, steeper slope. With most people we also lose mental acuity. It is just a biological fact. The Presidency is a very stressful, demanding job.

Sorry, Hillary. Sorry, Joe.

[Lugnut]

14. Wow! Isn't that the truth!

I always say if my body could do what my brain wants to, I could lick the world. In reality my joints ache and my eyes close when I sit down for any length of time. I need my nap time, too. There is no way I could hack being President at my age of 68.

[NightWatcher]

4. Trust no one over (what is it) 30?

[sharp_stick]

5. They quit saying that pretty much

the day after they turned 30. So did I.

[Warpy]

7. Still, it rings true

since the cohort before the Boomers, born at least 10 years before the Boomers, was one of the most conservative cohorts in history. While the outliers were some of the best lefties, ever, the majority of them are now teabaggers and long for another Reagan and thought Stupid did a damn fine job kicking Arab ass and that their lives would be perfect if all those poor people would get off their asses and get jobs. Born just prior to and during the Depression, they were too young to have learned many of its lessons.

And they really, really hated having to compete with black folks and women.

[HijackedLabel]

11. I'm nearly 26 and I trust no one my age to hold positions of power.

Thank goodness for that constitutional age limit.

[Dems to Win]

8. I agree with your parents.

My parents started getting a bit confused about things at age 75.

I watched my mom become a frail elderly woman practically overnight at age 74 after surgery for colon cancer.

The presidency is a tough job that ages people quickly. We need a strong healthy person with a sharp mind and good values. No doubt, younger is better.

[enough]

9. I'm 69, and I see their point. I wouldn't vote against a candidate because of it,

but I would hope for somebody younger if possible. It's not so much a matter of health; one can be in excellent health and very active, and yet still be aware that the amount of energy required both to run and to do the job is truly enormous.

One has to have essentially infinite reserves of energy to run, and to do the job after winning. It's a very rare person who has infinite reserves of energy after 70.

[Blue_In_AK]

10. I'm 67, and I agree.

[markpkessinger]

12. I remember my Dad watching Strom Thurmond, very late in his career . . .

. . . in a Senate Judiciary Committee confirmation hearing for one of the SC Justices (I forget which one). Thurmond was in his late 90s, and seemed to be having trouble following the proceedings. At one point, my Dad, a Republican, in utter exasperation, exclaimed, "He's too goddamned old to be there!' He can't even follow what's going on!" Dad, who was then 71 and had all his faculties in fine form, then added, "Hell, I"M too old!"

[bottomofthehill]

13. Funny at lunch today the same conversation came up

Was with some old friends and good Democrats and the same topic came up. The surprising thing to me was the oldest two at the table, one male and one female and they both said the same thing. One of them was a Delaware native and long time political supporter of the VP. How old is to old became an interesting topic

[DFW]

15. A friend of mine (and most of DU) will be 65 in 3 days and he agrees

He has run for president before. I already asked him, less than a month after Obama's first inauguration in 2009, if he thought he'd ever run again, and he said, no, younger people need to be doing this job. "Obama is about the right age," he said.

He might consent to be a candidate again in 2016, but VERY reluctantly, and his wife would go ballistic. He said he would only do it if there were a complete vacuum, and the Democratic Party would be in dire shape if that were the case.

So, your parents are in good company.

[okaawhatever]

16. Her age doesn't bother me, especially with the time off she's had and recent hectic schedule. Yes,

being potus is extremely draining but so was sec of state so she can handle it. Also, she'll be refreshed after this break. As to a second term i'd have to see how she's looking after the first 4 years.