Sorry, not Biden. Too late.

[trof]

I'm a bit less than a year older than Joe.
Maybe his gaffes seem a bit endearing (to some), but I guarantee it will get worse.

My short term memory sux. I mean seriously.
I won't take up space here to give you examples, but it happens from one minute to the next.
Really.

I don't get lost, so I can still drive (in the local area) and my reflexes are still pretty good.
Hey, I flew real big airplanes for about 30 years so you might say my reflexes were better than average to begin with.
But I'm 78 years old and I feel every bit of that.
Don't give me the "you're only as old as you feel" crap.
Yeah, I know there are folks running marathons in their 90s.
Believe me, they are the very small exceptions, BY A LONG SHOT.

Joe Biden has been in elected office for over 40 years.
Folks, that's a career. That's plenty. That's enough.
Joe? Go enjoy your grandkids.

It's time for the youngers to come in.
OK, I got my Nomex undies on, so flame away.

[Cha]

1. No.. sorry that's your opinion.. everyone

has one.

But, more people's opinions, who have him in the lead, are what are important in this election

You should know everyone is different.

[DownriverDem]

16. For Sure

Biden running with a strong, progressive, Dem woman would be a formidable ticket. He will be on the job with an experienced staff immediately. It will take time to undue all the damage from trump.

[olegramps]

212. Biden will bring in a competent, much attentioned to staff of experts for advise.

Short term memory has nothing to do with judgement and assessment of a situation. I am in my 80's and yes I do have some short term memory loss, but I still am providing consultation for my former company. So far I haven't bankrupt them. Trump in his prime was a financial disaster and only survived because he has absolutely no principles. He was able to run his game for a while until his lies caught up with him and no responsible creditor would finance him. The only way, just a his son admitted, was they became dependent on Russian oligarchs who stole millions for the Russian people to cosign his notes. And guess what? We are paying the price for his selling his soul to our arch enemy. He is an amoral person in the same category as Hitler and Stalin. A man without a conscience who thinks it is bilking people is a virtue.

[Peacetrain]

299. Using the op's logic.. well.. we should run RGB out of the Supreme Court..

for having the audacity to get older... just saying...

[hlthe2b]

2. There are many people in their 70s whose minds are sharper than many or most in their 20s

Age is a number. It isn't a "diagnosis".

It is, however, an indication of experience for those who have worked in areas that confer it. That's beyond reassuring to me.

[pnwpolicy]

14. But

Biden isn't one of those many people tho. He couldn't remember President Obama's name today...

[Cha]

19. Baloney.. so what. We all go through

moments like that.

Joe Biden took questions from black reporters for 90 minutes. He did not disappoint.

https://www.democraticunderground.com/1287256796

The majority want Biden now.. and of course those with other candidates don't.

[bluewater]

21. "The majority want Biden now" um, no, he's polling at an AVERAGE of 28.9%

Perhaps you mean a plurality, at the moment, wants Biden?

[zentrum]

20. Agree with you

...do you have the link for the Obama name forget?

He makes way too many gaffes. What if he does it on the debate stage with Rump?

Rump is given a pass on this stuff, but the Democrats won't be.

[BeyondGeography]

26. It's all over wingnutville

He was referencing the spat with Putin and the Crimea and called Obama President...My Boss. There’s a clip but it’s a RW source.

[FloridaBlues]

52. He often referred to Obama as his boss. Nothing new. Because he was.

[FreeState]

73. That doesn't appear to be what happened

“ “He’s saying that it was President … my boss … it was his fault.” is a direct quote from the video.

[treestar]

161. that does not prove he forgot

he might have decided mid-sentence to change the reference.

[Mr.Bill]

76. It's also all over wingnutville

that Michelle Obama is a trans gender who was born a man. Guess what, I don't believe that either.

[Tipperary]

149. There is an actual video.

He really seems to have forgotten Obama’s name.

[renate]

219. can I just say how much I admire your open-mindedness and honesty?

I see you're a Biden supporter (I love him too!), but you aren't sugar-coating the fact that he may actually have forgotten Obama's name. I haven't seen the video yet so I have no opinion on the matter, but I think it's critical that we acknowledge any weakness in our favorite candidates, because goodness knows Trump will.

[emulatorloo]

112. The wingnutville that claimed HRC had Parkinson's Disease and assasinated people?

Not sure why you are gleefully bringing the lies of wingnutville to DU.

[BeyondGeography]

150. This isn't a plot

Last edited Thu Aug 29, 2019, 05:42 AM - Edit history (2)

You could see for yourself, as several others in this thread apparently have, or you could just go CT with it.

[emulatorloo]

292. It was your decision to bring wingnutville here. Very poor judgment at the very least

Don’t try to turn it back on me by insinuating I am a conspiracy theorist. You are the one decided to promote Rightwing bullshit. That’s on you.

[emulatorloo]

294. Stop putting words in my mouth I didn't say. Your attempts to deflect from your promotion of RW

talking points aren’t working. We saw what you did, and it is totally on you.

Citing wingnutville to destroy a Democrat you don’t like isn’t fine, no matter how much you try to deflect from what you did by attacking other posters.

Delete your post.

[True Blue American]

153. 100+

I thought it was against the rules.

[marieo1]

200. Another wingnut!!!

My guess is he is a troll and doesn't belong on DU!!!

[Hekate]

140. Wingnutville will never vote for any Democrat, ever. They traffic in outrageous lies...

...some of which people reference in this subthread. They are not worth quoting.

[hlthe2b]

37. You don't know that... I've seen people in their 20s do that with sleep deprivation and too busy

schedules. Hell, I did that when I was stressed after major tragedy in my family and I was only in my 20s. I had friends who were probably afraid I'd get on the wrong plane or park my car and never remember where.

'Sick of the damned ageism but of course that is always the conclusion ageist people come to for any malapropism, gaffe, or a momentary lapse of attention. You may feel superior in doing so, but your time for others to judge you harshly (and likely unfairly) for similar reasons is coming.

[Jake Stern]

75. I'm 40 and have "moments"

Just the other day it took me the better part of 20 minutes to find my keys that I had just placed on the table.

My mind was in another place - my son was sick and crying, I was trying to get ready for work at half past the ass crack of dawn and a pretty big bill was due so I was fretting that.

[LakeArenal]

44. I couldn't remember the model of our 2011 car today

When filling out our hotel parking permit.

Let alone our plate number.

It happens. My mother used to call everyone “what his name”.

[True Blue American]

154. I call them honey!:)

[treestar]

162. There is so much data today

Life today involves many teeny details - I know the feeling, thinking how in the heck can I not remember that? of a word for something. Our brains are overloaded with details.

[True Blue American]

151. I have never been able

To remember names and there is nothing wrong with my memory.

Have discussed this with many highly educated people who have the same problem. They can remember the most complicated problems, but not names.

Biden talked with black reporters for 90 minutes. Could answer every question.

[True Blue American]

152. Experience works for me!

We have seen what lack of experience and down right stupidity can do.

[samnsara]

170. hell my hubby is 66 and a hospital pharmacist and hes called in the middle of the night to..

..calculate dosages...wake up from a deep sleep to do (lifesaving) math. You try it...at any age!

[DIVINEprividence]

225. Be careful of the primary bubble

The primary is a progressive alternative reality. Warren and Sanders and the rest need to demonstrate how they are going to win in swing states. In the midterms the centrist candidates fared much better than the more progressive candidates who got all the crowds and hype. I like Biden because he was 100% correct on the TTP. We would have avoided this ridiculous trade war, enhanced the U.S. economy and isolated China. The fact that Sanders and Warren demagogued this sensible policy demonstrates their cluelessness on a central economic issue. If they could be so spectacularly wrong on this, what else are they spectacularly wrong about

[NYMinute]

3. No one gets to decide who is old and what is a gaffe.

Let the voters decide. I respect that you won't be voting for Biden. However, Biden is the most likely nominee because (likely) only he can defeat Trump.

The 40 year career comes with a LOT of experience -- don't forget that. No one else can match that.

Also, having Obama's VP defeat the visceral Obama hater would be sweet poetic justice.

[Maggiemayhem]

191. Other candidates have been polled beating Trump

[NYMinute]

206. Not outside the MOE

Only Biden beats Trump beyond the MOE

[trof]

260. I sure do get to decide who is old and what a gaffe is. And that ain't all...

I get to decide for me.
You may disagree if you wish.
Also...please read my OP very carefully and point out the place where I said I wouldn't vote for him.
If he is the Democratic nominee I sure as hell will vote for him.

[jberryhill]

4. You should reconsider...

Nomex® is a registered trademark of DuPont, and should not be used without the ® symbol. The Nomex® mark should never be used to indicate inferior flame resistant fabrics.

If your underwear is not genuine Nomex®, then you should not refer to it that way.

[sprinkleeninow]

91. Oy veh.... sans text

[proActivist]

101. LOL sans text

[Hassin Bin Sober]

207. Spoken like a true patent lawyer.

A construction forum I belong to received a letter from romex regarding using their name without the r thingy.

How do you make that r thingy anyway?

[trof]

263. Do you plan to come check for a label, or what?

Bring it.

[jberryhill]

291. I'm bringing the crew...

[Vinca]

5. I'll vote for Biden's detached big toe if that's what's on the ballot against Trump.

[jberryhill]

6. Left or right?

[Demsrule86]

8. Either big toe works for me.

[question everything]

10. We need this

[tonedevil]

65. You want a toe?

I can get you a toe, believe me. There are ways, Dude. You don't wanna know about it, believe me.

[lunasun]

100. ++Thanks I need a smile

[tonedevil]

106. You can't bring up detached toes...

and not mention the most famous one.

[Newest Reality]

87. Without expressing a bias

about Biden, you make a point there that concerns me. Consider it an aside.

Here, we find another negative effect of Trump's impact. I am sorry if I am being a bit idealistic, (maybe unrealistic) here, but it seems that we are being forced to gravitate more towards the person who can beat him than being focused primarily on issues, policies and other factors and criteria about who can do the best JOB during a term in office and can present the best plans to deal with current and impending issues of import. I know that those factors play into it, but I am just noting an observation of a tendency.

While I share that view that anyone that can beat General Skidmark in 2020 is of most vital importance, it is just disappointing to have that take precedence when so much is at stake in so many ways. What I mean is that the table now tilts more towards personality and popularity, likability, etc., in a very general way. Of course, many people might vote by those standards anyway, but it is kind of like a lowest common denominator effect. I would like our party to move away from the problem of low-information voting over time by inspiring a move towards it, which only helps distinguish us from the other side. Again, idealistic.

That does then feel like a compromise, but then, I am aware that I am being too idealistic and things have changed a lot.

Now back to our regularly scheduled programming

[Hekate]

141. With few exceptions, each and every Democratic candidate we have now would do their utmost...

...to fulfill every plank in the Democratic platform. Some of them have different emphases to be sure, to distinguish themselves from the pack -- but every one of them is pro-environment, pro-healthcare, pro-choice, and in favor of peaceful international alliances. I guarantee it.

In context of this thread I wll keep my feelings about the few exceptions to myself. Two are not going to make it much further anyway.

We have a great group. When it comes to the General Election, there will be no nose-holding by me.

[Vinca]

172. You make good points, but I honestly feel our democracy is in peril and beating Trump - for me - is

the only issue. Any of our candidates would be light years better than what we've got now. I joke about Biden, but I've decided he's right on healthcare. I want Medicare For All, but I think gradually getting there via Obamacare and a public option is the way to do it. In the 2018 elections we learned Obamacare is really, really popular and we should build on that sentiment by adding a public option. That said, you notice I'm not endorsing anyone yet. If I had to vote in the NH primary today, I'm not sure who I would mark the box for. For me, any of our candidates - even Williamson - have their good qualities. I might vote in the Republican primary instead (we can do that) and cast a vote for Weld. I'd love to see Trump lose a state primary.

[TryLogic]

217. Our democracy is obviously in peril, from Trump AND his Republican enablers. But,

a well functioning democracy requires an informed, thinking citizenry -- who vote! Too many who vote for the person with the best early poll numbers are voting scared, thinking only about poll numbers. That's how John Kerry got the nomination, in my opinion. People thought it extremely important to beat Bush/Cheney. They watched poll numbers and followed the crowd. But Kerry lost.

The country is one-third independent. Independents intend to vote for the best candidate. We must ensure that we have a great candidate. The good news is that this year we have a bunch of excellent candidates running.

People on this forum will vote for the Dem at the rate of about 99.9%, I am sure. Who will the independents vote for? The good news again is that independents will have a difficult time voting for Trump.

[samnsara]

171. me too!!!!!

..and that should be on a bumper sticker!

[Demsrule86]

7. It is not your decison to make...and it looks like Biden will be the nominee...I doubt any of the

'youngers' could beat Trump. I really don't understand why you would even post this...

[cwydro]

32. Maybe the OP had a view he wanted to express?

What is it lately with people telling others what to post or not?

“Looks like Biden will be the nominee.” Seriously? At this early stage?

Time will tell.

[secondwind]

83. Hear, hear.... I was taken to the woodshed a couple of months ago

because I dared to ask an honest question about Biden, because he seemed “off” to me that day.

[cwydro]

271. Lol, how DARE you!

There’re always a few who like to tell others what to do and how to think.

Some will even send you personal messages to instruct you how they think you should post.

[True Dough]

117. +1

The behavior you describe has been going on for several weeks as well as the presumptions. Far too many variables -- especially a lot of time -- for anyone to call this race over.

[trof]

266. Thank you. You understand what DU is for.

[pangaia]

48. "I really don't understand why you would even post this.."

Maybe that is his/her opinion...

could be..
very possible...

[ChubbyStar]

147. Thank You

That post is beyond the beyond......

[Demsrule86]

231. Really...the idea that Biden is not mentally competent is a rightwing talking point...I object to

our side helping them...I suppose I have a right to an opinon as well.

[ChubbyStar]

274. Of course you have a right to your opinion

Let others have theirs. It is that simple.

[Demsrule86]

288. voicing right wing propaganda is not good idea period...even if it is your opinion.

[ChubbyStar]

290. Let me quote you from a post upthread

"It is not your decison to make" and you spelled decision incorrectly BTW.

[Demsrule86]

230. Biden is the front runner and likely nominee...this is a right wing meme...heard it on the radio

Last night, as I drove to pick up hubs around 11:00 PM ...I was looking for something to listen to on the radio-heard this more than once on different Right wing show as I scanned the channels...RW talking points should not be on this site IMHO...are we going to support our candidates or nominees ...or not. This 'opinion' is shared by Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, and many other right wing types... the OP is not in good company.

I doubt this can be used by the right to hurt Biden because we have a president who thinks we had airports in the 1700's, but the Democrats engaging in this sort of rhetoric can cause damage. We don't need that. Some 'opinions' should not be posted if we want to win in 2020. Let's not shatch defeat from the jaws of victory as we did in 16.

[cannabis_flower]

234. So is it alright....

to not be for Biden for other reasons? Is it ok if there are things in his record we don't like. Or will that be not ok also?

[jcgoldie]

131. "looks like Biden will be the nominee"

This post is about 9 months too soon.

[zackymilly]

180. It IS his decision and the rest of us voters to make.

"Looks like" means nothing this early in the race.
It looked like Hillary was going to win weeks before the 2016 election.

Don't put all your chickens in one egg!

[Larrybanal]

9. gotta agree

I am closing in on 70 but my parents are in their early 90's...people in their 80's almost always start declining rather rapidly. yes there are exceptions but I have seen it too many times. my mother never stopped walking or riding her bike but suddenly she started falling down and has had many close calls. biden's decline is not as bad as trump's but you are right...we need something new and I fear biden just wants to resurrect obama

[Control-Z]

57. Biden's decline?

What a ridiculous thing to say.

[Mr.Bill]

69. Are you serious?

Look at the orange pile of shit living in the White House now and tell me "resurrecting Obama" would not be a vast improvement.

[treestar]

165. again, the person or their parents

prove nothing. People "almost always" decline when? Jimmy Carter is building houses.

[Tarheel_Dem]

174. Taking gratuitous swipes at Obama? You sure you're in the right place?

[SCVDem]

11. If ya ain't got

nothing good to say ..........

[bluewater]

12. Thank you for sharing your personal insights.

One thing is certain, Joe Biden's electability comes down to voters trusting he is up to handling the job as President.

Right now, Biden has not seemed to be "as sharp as a tack", as the old adage goes. What voters will make of that if it keeps up is what will determine his fate this primary season.

Thanks again!

[riverine]

13. All three of the current leaders are in their 70s but Biden has by far the best policy proposals

and he is not pushing some pie-in-the-sky single payer program that would lead to defeat in the general election.

Expand the ACA into the red states. If Kentucky can make the ACA work any state can. Even Mississippi.

[pnwmom]

23. The risk for Alzheimers, for example, doubles every 5 years from the age of 65.

So an 80 year old is at much higher risk than a 70 year old.

[riverine]

25. I would like to see him make a deal with Amy Klobuchar - she is VP and immediately becomes

POTUS in waiting. One Term then handoff.

She has the Obama pragmatism.

Female.

Midwestern.

[LakeArenal]

47. No way Joe will be a lame duck president on Inauguration Day.

Although Klobuchar is fine by me.

But again I don’t know why a VP choice has to be a primary opponent.

Katie Porter is great. Stacy Abrams is great. Al Franken is great

[PatrickforO]

50. I'd rather see Warren on the ticket.

Although Klobuchar is ok. She's just a bit centrist for my tastes.

[dflprincess]

81. She's way too centrist

and Amy on the ticket with Biden is going to be a real downer for a lot of people (yes, I would still vote for them).

I don't want Warren in the VP slot as I'd rather see her in the Senate if she's not the nominee. Besides, and flame me if you must, if Biden, Warren, or Bernie were the nominee, we need someone younger in the VP slot.

BTW Amy is quite a ways behind Warren in the "bean" poll* the DFL is taking at the Minnesota State Fair, but ahead of Bernie. Warren is running away with it. (Yes, it's unscientific, but the results are still interesting).

*So named because you place a bean in the cylinder with your choice's picture & name on it.

[PatrickforO]

84. Interesting take on it.

Yes, Warren is going to be 70 when elected, if elected. So, yeah, if she had someone on the ticket younger like Buttigieg, they would smash Trump and Pence.

Warren's an awfully young 70 though.

[dflprincess]

95. Yes she is

and I am leaning Warren (and she's who I'll vote for in the "bean poll" when I'm at the fair tomorrow).

[TryLogic]

220. Hurray for the bean poll. (:

[Turin_C3PO]

252. We need a progressive

like Warren or Harris as VP.

[Ace Rothstein]

204. Biden's status quo policies will give us another Republican in the WH in 2024.

Should he win this year.

[TryLogic]

221. Scary prediction.

[OilemFirchen]

15. Wait...

I should not vote for a candidate because of your limitations?

Looks like you still have a healthy sense of hubris.

[Hortensis]

22. :) I still feel like I'm at least 4 inches taller than I really am,

when mirrors tell me it's 4 inches wider than I was.

[pangaia]

53. LOL!!!

[True Blue American]

155. Well,yeah!

[emmaverybo]

79. +1000

[treestar]

163. +1 it is very common

to see this argument - "I am x years old and can't remember my ass" or the parents. That proves nothing about Biden.

His gaffes are over covered and those of younger candidates not noticed.

[Hortensis]

179. :) Yes. I have memory problems. Nancy Pelosi is famous for

a killer memory that soaks up information and pops it onto the mental screen as needed. And retirement hardly prepares me for her typical day. I'd collapse under a high intensity workout before I got up to speed, if the constant stress didn't take me out first. Or trying to spend them in those heels...! We're not the same.

Biden's gaffs are over covered but are also being insidiously hit again and again by hostile pundits insinuating mental decline, more on CNN than MSNBC. I check to see what CNN's more relatively honest shows are covering but always end up switching when the next RW agent, brought in to create national mental decline, goes to work.

[TheCowsCameHome]

17. His age does concern me.

and the possibility of a second term? Not likely.

I really like Joe, always did, but being close to his age myself it gives me a new perspective.

I'd vote for him if he's the nominee though.

[Gothmog]

134. There are more important things to worry about

Link to tweet

My response to both was the same, as it was when I was asked about the Biden issue on MSNBC’s “Andrea Mitchell Reports.” There is a racist sitting in the Oval Office implementing a white supremacist policy agenda. So, you focus on Biden’s mouth marbles, and I’ll keep my eyes on the prize. The prize being the eviction of Trump from the White House.

As Waldman also wrote, Trump “is waging a reelection campaign based on racism and fear,” not to mention being “the most prolific liar in American political history (he just passed 12,000 false or misleading claims).” And what makes the focus on Biden’s mouth extra aggravating is how it wipes our memories of the moronic things said by this president, as my follower @absolut_irish was so kind to remind Biden’s critics.

Link to tweet

Some of these are funny. Some are worthy of a cocked eyebrow. But they are not nearly as consequential as the racist and white supremacist beliefs parroted by Trump and the right-wing echo chamber that found their way into the manifesto of the suspect in the El Paso mass shooting, who told police his target was "Mexicans.” The atmosphere of menace and danger is now indisputable. Your time would be better spent worrying about the shredding of our values, ideals and the rule of law than the flubs of a particular candidate who would put an end to this shameful chapter.

[True Blue American]

156. Perspective there!

[Gothmog]

193. Joe Biden was interviewed for 90 minutes by the press yesterday

Biden was very impressive.

Link to tweet

[True Blue American]

196. I agree with every word.

At this time my choice would be Biden/ Warren.

Biden to undo the Trump mess, Warren to take on the financial mess made by Trump and Republicans.

[Gothmog]

197. I worry about losing Warren's senate seat

The governor of Mass. is a republican and if Warren is out of the Senate, we will lose that seat until a special election is held

I personally like Harris.

[BannonsLiver]

18. The primary electorate will determine if it's too late.

[bluewater]

27. Indeed!

[Perseus]

24. Fanatism will get us nowhere

I think her is right, Biden is showing that he is not on his "A" game.

[treestar]

205. Do we need his A game

Right now his D game is better than Donald Dotard's A game.

[Perseus]

241. Yes, we need his "A" game, anything less will give ammunition to the repubs

And we want a president who will be on his "A" game to fix all the damage this administration causes everyday.

Of course Biden is better than the creature, in every aspect, there is no comparison, but Biden still needs his "A" game, we should not expect anything else from our candidates.

[treestar]

257. To repair the Damage

that Hairplug Himmler caused makes Biden the best one, though, as he has so much experience. And with the big picture - his underlings can deal with small details. We don't need him to have all the details off the top of his head, but we need his big picture knowledge.

[bucolic_frolic]

28. I'll take wisdom and experience over youth, any day of the week

As I age, I am surprised how wisdom snowballs. It grows exponentially. Things are connected that I never knew were connected. I am able to draw together disparate pieces of information from distinct areas of knowledge, and synthesize them.

Older politicians understand how fierce their opposition will be, and they know how to scheme and plan and maneuver, and what to do about it. Younger politicians with a dream in their eye think everything runs on the up and up, that of course everyone is patriotic, and cannot be subverted from that ideal.

Read David McCulloch's "John Adams". The depth of his insight in the papers he left to posterity rings to this day. It's going to take wisdom and experience to solve this crisis. Democrats need to be wise to the lay of the landscape. It takes wisdom.

[HeartlandProgressive]

34. Personally, I rather be in my fifties again.

This age and wisdom stuff increasing exponentially is just not true.

[redstateblues]

60. Sad for you. I find it true for myself. I think it has a lot to do

With how mentally active you are. For instance, practicing musicians’ IQs stay higher than the general public. Of course I’m a working musician closing in on 71!

[Princetonian]

115. Elite athletes who also play and read music perform better at sports than elite athletes who do not.

Scientists found studying music created better focus in sports under pressure.

[LanternWaste]

185. Not true in your case, maybe. But try not to project your limitations onto everyone else.

"This age and wisdom stuff increasing exponentially is just not true..."

Not true in your case, maybe. But try not to project your own limitations onto everyone else.

[TryLogic]

222. Age and wisdom snowballs? (I'm 75)

Then why did a majority of old white guys vote for Trump. (Not me!!)

[MFM008]

29. I wish he and Sanders

Werent in the race[ along with about 8 others] but i will pledge to support
Our nominee.

[cwydro]

30. I like Biden, and he was my fave at first.

But he just doesn’t seem up to it to me.

And Jill’s commercial to just “swallow a bit” and vote for him struck me as bizarre in the extreme.

[oldsoftie]

31. So I guess Ruth Ginsberg should retire immediately. Shes in her mid 80s!

A friends dad is 88 and is in better shape than his son. It depends on the person
Biden's gaffes arent because of age, he's been making them his whole career!
get back on the bus!

[Skittles]

67. YES

she should have retired when Obama was president

and can't we have a president who not EXPECTED to make chronic gaffes? IT'S NOT FUNNY.

[oldsoftie]

92. WEll Obama is retired, shes older NOW, so she should retire?

I think Beto has made his share of gaffes as well. They ALL do. the camera is on them ALL the time.
If Biden ever looks like he's just not all there, thats a different story. Thats not happening now

[Skittles]

119. again, Ginsberg should have retired long ago

and Biden is KNOWN for his gaffes - HUGE difference

[oldsoftie]

159. Not really. Biden has been known for gaffes for years, has nothing to do with age.

Look at W; he gaffed his whole life
If you think RBG shouldve retired because of her age when obama was president, then you should still have the same opinion; even stronger since shes OLDER.
Age only matters when it stops you from doing your job.

So if he wins the nomination you wouldnt vote for him because of his age?

[Skittles]

245. I'd vote for a ham sandwich if they ran it against Donald Fucking Trump

but we should not have to SETTLE

[treestar]

164. that's not due to age but political

there's no proof she is not doing the job or making gaffes in opinions.

[Autumn]

192. She was appointed at 60. Would you appoint an 86 year old to the Supreme Court?

[MineralMan]

33. Well, you have one vote in your state's primary.

So do I.

[trof]

269. C'mon man. I'm in Alabama.

The state Democratic party is dysfunctional.
The two 'leaders' were disqualified at the national convention in California.

I'm working with other grassroots orgs to try and change things, but it's an uphill battle.

[MineralMan]

295. Your state has a Democratic primary and sends delegates

to the Democratic nominating convention. You have one vote, and so do I in my state. That's it.

[Kurt V.]

35. the capabilities of the human brain begin to decline at average age of 56. Exceptions of course

[emmaverybo]

82. Actually, decision making can improve.

Snip———————————-

A persistent myth in our youth-focused culture suggests the process of aging means inevitable, progressive decline. In my field of research, brain health, this myth results in most people believing and allowing their best brain years to be in the past.

Think about it. When do you believe your brain was operating at peak performance?

I frequently ask people this question, and the answer is almost always 10 to 20 years ago - no matter what age they are!

While it is true that many brain processes decline as we age, that is only part of the story. As brain health experts, we are discovering there is more to be celebrated than to be feared. Some brain functions actually improve as we grow older. In fact, as long as no disease is present, the majority of seniors continue to have the capacity to continue to learn new things and make sound decisions.


https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/make-your-brain-smarter/201508/the-potential-the-aging-mind

[Princetonian]

135. Bookmarked for REBUTTING AGEIST ATTACKS

A persistent myth in our youth-focused culture suggests the process of aging means inevitable, progressive decline. In my field of research, brain health, this myth results in most people believing and allowing their best brain years to be in the past.

Think about it. When do you believe your brain was operating at peak performance?

I frequently ask people this question, and the answer is almost always 10 to 20 years ago - no matter what age they are!

While it is true that many brain processes decline as we age, that is only part of the story. As brain health experts, we are discovering there is more to be celebrated than to be feared. Some brain functions actually improve as we grow older. In fact, as long as no disease is present, the majority of seniors continue to have the capacity to continue to learn new things and make sound decisions.


https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/make-your-brain-smarter/201508/the-potential-the-aging-mind

Thanks, emmaverybo!

[treestar]

166. "average"

[guillaumeb]

36. No attacks from me.

And I agree, and I have posted about this, that at a certain point, one must be willing to step back and allow the next generation to step forward.

I am 68, and I was a Union Representative for over 33 years. This spring, the current President of our local asked me to run for President when he retires. I told him that I have been retired for almost 6 years, and that while I attend meetings and read the union papers, I am 6 years out of the business.

So I said that it is time for the younger Representatives to step forward.

And I work out every day, and my wife and I walk 5-6 miles a day, but I cannot lift what I did at 30.

[True Blue American]

157. What does lifting

Have to do with your brain? If those you worked with believe you are capable why not.

[guillaumeb]

232. We often experience physical and mental decline.

As to my situation, I like being retired. My wife is also retired, and we have time to pursue hobbies.

[Sugarcoated]

39. We'll have to agree to disagree

[wasupaloopa]

40. At 73 I agree with you.

[hlthe2b]

45. I am way younger, but what I will say is at 20, I never could look like the super models of the time

and when I reach my 60s and older, I'll never look like the Cheryl Tiegs and the Christie Brinkleys today--
well into their 70s and 60s respectively.

Age. like looks, is on a continuum and how well both "play" is very much an independent phenomenon.

I've known people in their 30s so arthritic they looked decades older. I've also known people in their late 80s-90s who hiked 3 miles a day in the Colorado foothills and could beat anyone they knew at the NYT crossword puzzle in the most astounding way.

[Hoyt]

41. My primary is in March. I'll see how he's doing then, and if he is still

favorite to beat trump.

[Freethinker65]

42. Commit to one term and surround yourself with competent people.

I will vote for whoever the Democratic nominee is.

[George II]

43. Tell that to Jimmy Carter.

[El Supremo]

59. Jimmy was only 52 at his inauguration. n/m

[redstateblues]

137. He is still sharp enough to be President at 90

[FloridaBlues]

46. Everyone is entitled to their opinion.

[LincolnRossiter]

49. Sorry you feel that way, sir. You're certainly entitled to your opinion, though.

Cheers.

[Ferrets are Cool]

54. Have to agree. Those who don't see it, won't see it. nt

[El Supremo]

58. And you support a 70 year old? n/m

[Ferrets are Cool]

86. It's not about age. It's about the gaffs

and mistakes.

[Princetonian]

98. Warren made a big mistake until 1996 that Joe was too smart to make.

[True Blue American]

158. Touche

[Laura PourMeADrink]

55. No, love you, but no. Unless everything changes, no. nt

[El Supremo]

56. I agree.

We need a vigorous leader to overcome all the damage that Drumph and his minions have done.

[Princetonian]

61. Why single out Joe? Bernie is older while Liz is a little younger. All are septuagenarians.

[Mr.Bill]

70. And so is Trump.

Biden has about 40 IQ points on Trump.

[Princetonian]

78. lol... exactly!

I find it amusing that many of the people recommending this OP are supporters of Bernie and Liz, both septuagenarians. Talk about frontrunner envy.

[Martin Eden]

62. Joe would be 82 at the end of his first term.

The more debilitating effects of aging might not be evident now, but they can snowball pretty fast once they strike -- especially in perhaps the most demanding and stressful job on the planet.

I have to agree with the OP.

Joe,
Thank you very much for your service. Enjoy your grandkids.

I'm a very active 62 year old, but I am not the man I was mentally or physically 20 years ago.

[Mr.Bill]

72. Thanks for letting us know.

If you run, I won't vote for you. I wouldn't have made a good president at any age. But I'm not Joe Biden, and neither are you.

[jalan48]

63. I agree.

[Mr.Bill]

64. His age and experience

make him the best person to repair the foreign relations disaster Trump will leave behind.

Hell, Joe could probably handle it with a few phone calls his first week in office. He needs to highlight these skills in his campaign ads.

[Princetonian]

68. Good idea, Mr. Bill.

[Skittles]

66. I hear you, trof

ENOUGH already

[Princetonian]

88. ENOUGH of what? A kind, decent man with the highest levels of legislative and executive experience?

[Skittles]

118. someone who is past his prime

[Princetonian]

120. What does that even mean?

[Skittles]

121. LOL

*done here*

[Princetonian]

122. Yeah and so is Beto who needs more of what VP Joe has: gravitas.

[trof]

268. I think I poked a hornets' nest.

[highplainsdem]

71. I'm several years younger than Biden, and I'm very aware that people age at very different rates.

I'm also very aware that there are a lot of younger people who don't think particularly clearly.

Nor do they have very much knowledge and experience.

So I don't see anything wrong with a candidate who's older, but who's also in good health, with more experience than anyone else running in governing and legislating at the national level, more friends and allies across the nation and the world than anyone else running, more compassion than any other politician I can think of, and an openness and willingness to keep trying and keep confronting new challenges that would be amazing in anyone at any age.

We're lucky he's running.

[customerserviceguy]

74. Our big problem with the candidates we have

is that there are no "tweens", people who have been in the public eye for say, twenty or thirty years. We have Biden and Sanders who have, as you say, made a career of it, and we have people who nobody heard of ten years ago.

[BarbD]

77. It is the responsibility for we older Dems (I'm 81) to step aside

and mentor the younger generation.

[Princetonian]

80. Step aside for whom?

[BarbD]

89. We have a multitude of qualified choices.

The chaotic mess that is currently unfolding, and the dismantling of our government will demand an extremely capable president and cabinet to try and put things back together. This will be a formidable task. These people will have to be at the top of their game.

[Princetonian]

96. Such as?

[BarbD]

99. Warren, Harris, Klobucher

[highplainsdem]

103. Not as qualified as Biden. And Warren is 70, so if age is disqualifying, she should also step aside.

[Princetonian]

104. Warren is 70. She should move aside, right? Plus she has very little support from black voters.

Harris has a troubled DA & AG history that Tulsi Gabbard highlighted at the second debate that will be cannon fodder for Trump during a GE. Plus she has a small fraction of black voter support relative to Joe.

Klobucher has little support across the board.

None of the above can win the GE. Only Joe can:

[treestar]

262. Warren has one term as Senator

Harris had not one term as Senator and AG experiences, which is a lawyer job.

Klobuchar has Senate and some AG experience.

Nothing to 30+ in Senate and 8 as VP.

[treestar]

261. the top of Biden's game is way better

than the top of the other candidates' games - he has more direct government experience - in 2 branches. Age notwithstanding.

[Demsrule86]

233. None of the other candidates can win...a good VP selection is the solution ...not losing to Trump in

20.

[Turin_C3PO]

255. If we get out the vote, we will win.

Even the if the nominee is someone like Sanders. Trump’s approval is way underwater in the swing states. Even Arizona, Georgia, Iowa and North Carolina will likely be in play. Heck, we could take Texas, or at least make it competitive if Trump totally collapses.


BUT we mustn’t get complacent and we must GOTV, donate time and money, etc.

[Demsrule86]

289. We won't win by getting out the vote...we won the house with moderate voters...

we could even lose the house with a left candidate...I think Sanders has a small chance...to take Wisconsin. We have to attract independents which tend to be more moderate. Trump wins three purple states...WI, MI and PA...he wins the electoral college.

[treestar]

259. Looks like not everyone agrees with that

And Biden clearly does not.

[lunasun]

85. Of the three oldies he seems to have the least vigor When he was VP in the beginning he seemed in

great physical shape but I guess even then he made the gaffes . Bernie I think is older but seems more on mentally. Maybe it is just Bernie’s personality that comes on strong
Warren is just a few years younger than both but maybe shows that those are important years that can make a difference depending on the person.
They all are senior plus yet those three are the top numbers in polls
But Biden seems to be leading in polls. He may go down or up but still stays on top Maybe he is seen as the safest bet
My question is all those other candidates -where do their supporters go as the race goes on as they drop out , and what about independents ?.. . We have to come together in the end is my only hope and at this point I really don’t have a favorite candidate but it will not be a blow out win no matter who is the nominee imo
Not just trump heads but propaganda, voter suppression and interference will make it a struggle no matter who is the candidate
I also wonder how many people are like me that they still don’t really have a preference & just want to beat trump
Any way the wind blows I’ll bend ! Sad but true
How old was Reagan ? He always seems more decrepit than any of our candidates from inauguration on

[Loki Liesmith]

90. Great. You have an opinion. Awesome.

And whatever.

[True Dough]

123. Discussion forums aren't worth much

without opinions, like 'em or not.

[iluvtennis]

93. Sorry, but going to call it like I see it and that is we need an old white man to beat an old white

man. Biden is the man who cna beat trump. In different times with a different person in the oval office, I'd agree and say 40 years is enough, go enjoy the grand kids. But these are critical times, and to save the soul of our nation, we need Joe Biden as the democratic nominee.

[TrollBuster9090]

94. First, I don't think Biden is in mental decline. But even if he was...

...even if he was, he doesn't have to be perfect. He just has to be better than Trump. Which, ON THE WORST DAY OF HIS LIFE, Biden WILL be.

Second, that only means Biden should pick a younger running mate, who excites the next generation. I'm sure he'll do that, and I'm also sure that he's honest and self-aware enough to RESIGN, and turn the Presidency over to his VP if he senses a mental decline.

Finally, I can't believe the MSM is even TALKING about this. I've watched Biden for all 40 years he's been in public life, and he's ALWAYS made EXACTLY the same number of verbal gaffes that he does now. I've never like that about him, but there it is. It's not a sign of mental decline.

But I can't believe the f-#king MSM devotes a whole news cycle to the odd Biden misspeak, while f--ing TRUMP has at least TEN mental brainfarts for every minute he speaks. He can't remember which Kim he's supposed to be talking about. Took his aides MONTHS to get him to remember "Jong Un." Can't even remember that his own wife never MET him. Gives people childish nicknames because he can't remember their REAL names. (The main reason he called Kim 'little rocket man' for months.) Has Washington and his men storming f-ing AIRPORTS, renaming Tim Cook 'Tim Apple' and then childishly REFUSING to admit it was just a gaffe...

The damned news media should be embarrassed that they even MENTION Biden's gaffes, when Trump commits more of them in five minutes than Biden does in a month.

[Duppers]

97. 👍👍

[emmaverybo]

144. I see no decline evident in his recent Op-Ed on the relationship between years of failed policy in

Central America and the migrant humanitarian crisis; no cognitive impairment in his widely praised
speech after El Paso; “losing it” not discernible in his solid foreign policy address, thoughtful Anderson interview, and during the 90 minutes he held discussions with leading black journalists.

I guess the brave young Major Ginger Tate, who gave Joe the most moving endorsement today, doesn’t get that he’s on his way to certain dementia.

Maybe someone should tip off Atlanta’s popular and accomplished mayor, Keisha Bottoms, and Texas Rep, Eddie Bernice Johnson, chair of the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee, and the five other CBC members supporting Joe because they didn’t get the diagnosis memo.

Maybe the board certified specialists at DU should alert all Biden endorsers to the “signs” before they get duped any longer,

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

208. Biden gets slagged for the kinds of minor slips of the tongue

that are ignored when others make them, because, you know, he's "gaffe-prone." So of course the media are all, See, he did it again! Meanwhile, Trump lies a half-dozen times before breakfast and everybody yawns.

[amuse bouche]

102. I must agree with you. Joe's great and all but dang I would love to see

some smart as whip candidate like Mayor Pete. He has so many talents and seems brilliant

We have a bunch of excellent candidates. It seems many just want someone comfortable

[Autumn]

105. Look how much 8 years aged Obama, and he wasn't forgetful like Joe. We need a full 8 years, not 4.

[Princetonian]

107. Senator Obama said he visited all 57 states. President Obama got gray hair, so what?

Joe is already a silver fox.

[Autumn]

109. In your eyes Biden's a silver fox. Obama's gaffes were very few and far in between. nt

[Princetonian]

111. I have good eyes. I am almost half his age but I find him really fit, fun and charming.

Yup, he's a total silver fox.

[True Dough]

124. Yes, the "57 states" thing gets trotted out daily

It's the go-to defense. Mighty repetitious.

[Princetonian]

125. But also true and not nearly as repetitious as the gratitious ageist bigotry aimed daily at VP Joe.

[Autumn]

176. And it's stupid, there is no comparison. None.

[LanternWaste]

188. Like alleging "so many gaffes. How concerning..."

"It's the go-to defense..."

As is alleging "so many gaffes. How concerning..."

Mighty repetitious, indeed.




(insert distinction lacking relevant difference below to maintain pretense of current framing and narrative)

[LanternWaste]

186. What is the specific number of gaffes of each?

On what objective measure is that pulled from, and how do the two numbers compare?

Or... you're simply making things up to suit your own narrative. (I won''t blame your age for doing so, though...)

[Autumn]

190. If you really want to know the specific number of gaffes of each I suggest you try google.

I can assure you, Obama's will not even be close to Bidens.

[treestar]

167. the presidency does not age them

they age because they are at least 50 and that's when you start looking older. This happens to anyone in 8 years. We just want to believe the Presidency is the most demanding job in the world. It also has perks that other jobs don't have. And one is not worried about one's financial fate anymore. It's more stressful to be retired on low income, I bet, worrying about bills and survival every day; worried about medical events that the POTUS knows can be treated and will be treated by the very best medical care.

Obama went gray because, with individual variation, it is quite common for one's hair to turn grayer from the ages of 47 to the age of 55.

[SayItLoud]

108. What are you going to do...

If he’s the nominee? Carry your opinion to conclusion.

[7horses]

110. We are not all the same...

I would vote for Jimmy Carter (94) if he ran, but it is not Biden's age it is he mind that is going.

[Mars and Minerva]

113. RBG...nt

[mopinko]

148. big difference between

how long you can stay in a job, and looking at the future.
would you appoint her today?
i dont really think so.

[Mars and Minerva]

281. He's six years older than your candidate. Maybe you think that Warren is too old.

My uncle ran his own highly successful company with branches in 30 states until he retired at 92. He was in his office every morning at 7am and never missed a beat.

I understand that some people come from families that don't age well. My experience is exactly the opposite.

To answer your question, RBG is ten years older than Biden and she is still an enormous force on the bench.

[Imperialism Inc.]

114. How many women do you figure the GOP has in waiting that are willing to say

Joe got a little too touchy feely at some event or government function? That and a long career with questionable positions to draw from to run the same targeted negative campaign they used against Hillary makes me think Joe as nominee could be disastrous.

[Princetonian]

116. How many black voters do you think will turn out for Warren in a GE relative to Barack's brother?

[Tipperary]

145. Barack's brother?

Please.

[Princetonian]

187. Yes, that's right.

[zackymilly]

182. Obama's brother is running? n/t

[Princetonian]

189. Yes, his name is Joe.

[zackymilly]

198. Wonder if I call Bill Gates 'Daddy' it will make is so. n/t

[Princetonian]

239. Stay classy, zackymilly.

[treestar]

168. lol he'd be running against the Great Pussy Grabber

[myohmy2]

126. +1

...I think many people are coming to the same conclusion about Joe...

...

[Sugarcoated]

128. Some

But it looks to me like Joe is ahead by a wide majority of people and that lead is steady and holding.

[Princetonian]

129. Um, Bernie is the oldest candidate in the field.

I've read on this thread that Alzheimer's could strike at any time, so Bernie must move aside along with Joe and Liz just in case.

[dchill]

127. I take your point - but everyone is different.

Personally, I'm 68, which probably seems young to you. But when I go to the store to buy Prevagen, I can't remember what it's called. Either that, or I know exactly what it's called, but don't remember what it's for. I wouldn't be surprised if that's precisely where Biden is right about now. Doesn't mean he shouldn't be President, though. IMO.

[NNadir]

130. I spent an afternoon with Freeman Dyson in his late 80's. It was one of the most...

...impressive afternoons of my life.

I'm not a Biden supporter, and I am an old man, but one person's experience is not everyone's experience.

Freeman Dyson was more together in his late 80's than I have been on the best day of my life.

[True Dough]

132. No flaming here, trof

You might be getting up there in years but you expressed your opinion cogently. Respect to you for it, whether others appreciate it or not.

[Gothmog]

133. What about trump's gaffes?

Biden's so-called gaffes will not be an issue in the general election https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/meet-the-press/democrats-battle-each-other-trump-s-greatest-ally-time-n1042191#anchor-Whatabouthisgaffes

But if Biden’s gaffes were substantial news, why wasn’t there the same level of discussion on what President Trump said yesterday in Pennsylvania?

“That’s a lot of people back there for a — like an 11 o’clock speech. That’s a lot of people. (Laughter.) That’s a lot.” (In fact, the speech was after 2:00 pm ET.)

“This Shell petrochemical plant in Beaver County, Pennsylvania — I did very well here. We did very well. How many points did we win by? Does anybody know? I'll tell you. Isn't it, I think, 28 points?
That's a lot.” (Trump won Beaver County by 19 points in 2016.)

“I got sued on a thing called ‘emoluments.’ Emoluments. You ever hear the word? Nobody ever heard of it before. They went back. Now, nobody looks at Obama getting $60 million for a book.” (Obama signed his book deal in 2017, after leaving office.)

Trump’s two and a half years in office definitely have changed the political and media world.

Shouldn’t they also change how we cover gaffes and misstatements?

[notKeith]

223. Some gaffes/misstatements are different than others..

..for lot of reasons.
The biggest issue is the media, which has normalized Trump's insanity, non-stop lying, malignant narcissism and stochastic terrorism. But they'll fine-tooth-comb anything coming from a non-Republican.

Which leads to this - Biden referring to "poor kids being just as bright as white kids" is the sort of cringe-worthy media disaster that would kill him in a debate with Trump - even if Trump continued to lie in a torrential stream. He is expected to lie. There are different rules for him; hell, he violates federal law daily, it seems, by the time he's consumed his first McWhatever and coke.

So.. "Shouldn't they also change how we cover gaffes and missstatements"? -- well yah, but who's going to make the Fourth Estate (finally) start behaving again like the .. Fourth Estate?

[TryLogic]

226. "What about Trump's gaffes?" does not convince me of anything.

A is great because B is worse?

A is great because B is terrible?

Does not work for me.

[Gothmog]

296. And they worry about Biden's verbal gaffes? The president is a category 5 disaster

Gaffes will not be an issue in the general election

Link to tweet

[Joe941]

136. Ageism. Plain and simple.

[pattyloutwo]

138. Heart not in it

His heart doesn’t seem in it. I think he thinks he can win and that’s why he’s running. Looking over some of the reasons listed such as, “it takes an old white man to beat an old white man” are not what Democrats should be aiming for. Remember how inspiring the 2008 election was? Let’s go for inspiration and getting people on board for effective change!

[emmaverybo]

146. It's his heart, and his ability to connect emotionally with people that we supporters have been

talking about. Journos have too. From his campaign launch, he has delivered some of the most inspiring moments and most profound message so far of any one in the field. I am inspired by his call for unity, his framing this race as a “struggle for the soul of America,” by his consistently denouncing Trump’s lack of moral fiber, his refusal to acknowledge, to support the America idea.I am inspired by Joe’s vision of America, one he has put forth throughout his campaign when others are getting bogged down in policy wars.

And when I see him with individual everyday people he is bonding with at his events, I feel radiant decency and compassion.

You have missed that heart. They say he wears it on his sleeve.

[ecstatic]

139. That's really my only concern with regard to Biden,

the age thing. I like him. I trust his judgment. I have no issues with him or his gaffes.

[TomCADem]

142. CNN: Watch Bernie Sanders' punch backfire (Does Not Fit The Narrative)

I think the focus on Biden's "gaffes" is just a narrative adopted by lazy journalists. For example, can you imagine what would be running 24/7 if Biden did this:

Yet, you see no mention of this while various threads on Joe's age or gaffes get repeatedly boosted.

[zackymilly]

183. I'm not voting for someone who can punch a bag or do more push-ups than Trump. n/t

[UniteFightBack]

143. Why would anybody care what an old guy thinks anyway....ain't that right? nt

[delisen]

160. Huge declines in rate of age-related dementia

Most Americans are unaware of the documented declines in incidence of age-related dementia in recent years. This is true in the US and many European countries. The declines were unexpected and may be related to improvements in health care and education.

Many well-regarded studies attest to the decline-the following is just one:

https://www.nia.nih.gov/news/study-examines-factors-behind-decline-dementia-incidence

Their findings suggest that while the number of people with dementia may be rising due to the aging population, the risk of dementia may have been decreasing in high-income communities such as Framingham. They found:

There was a progressive decline in dementia incidence, at any given age, with an average reduction of 20 percent per decade since the 1970s.
The amount of education appeared to play a significant role in dementia risk. Among volunteers with at least a high school diploma, dementia incidence declined by 22 percent by the 1980s, 38 percent the 1990s, and 44 percent by the 2000s when compared to the first decade. They also noted that more study participants graduated from high school as the study progressed.


These declines have occurred even withe the increase in diabetes which is associated with dementia.

What seems to have remained steady is prejudice against older people

[samnsara]

169. but you WILL vote for him if hes the Dem nom...riiiiight???

..cuz in the end thats all that counts. We all have our opinions of the noms but the only thing that counts is we support whichever of them gets the nom and believe me a cpl i will hold my nose to vote for them...but i will!

[Tarc]

173. Old, White, Male. I do not want a candidate that hits all 3.

Vote for him in a heartbeat if he's the candidate, but the preference is four younger, diverse blood in the party.

[DrFunkenstein]

177. My First Concern is Policy, Which is What Really Matters

I simply disagree with Biden's corporate friendly version of establishment politics and his tepid response to the massive surge to the right that the Republicans and their wealthy benefactors have taken us basically since the invasion of Iraq.

Which is another excellent way to distinguish Bernie's opposition from Biden's enabling.

I have long been from the Wellstone side of the party, so any "third way" candidates are going to be low on my list.

I am a passionate supporter of the policies from both Bernie and Liz, but given the choice I'd rather break the ultimate glass ceiling with someone as powerfully intelligent as Warren. I'll vote for the eventual nominee, just as I voted for Clinton, but we are still a point where we can choose someone we really and truly believe in.

And if we can make history in the process, so much the better!

[TryLogic]

227. I agree (mostly) with your lead:

"I simply disagree with Biden's corporate friendly version of establishment politics and his tepid response to the massive surge to the right that the Republicans and their wealthy benefactors have taken us basically since the invasion of Iraq."

Rather than "massive surge to the right", I would say his willingness to "work with" right wing radicals to find "common ground". Remember Obama/Biden's first two years?

And rather than "since the invasion of Iraq" I would say since Reagan declared "government IS the problem".

I have a high level of trust for Warren. I like that feeling.

[DrFunkenstein]

280. Agreed.

It really does go back to Reagan.

[lillypaddle]

175. You're a brave man, trof

and I agree with you.

[trof]

275. Ha! Guess I didn't realize what I was getting into.

[lillypaddle]

284. Just don't say anything bad about BS

or you will REALLY be in trouble!

[ooky]

178. The most important thing about this election is to win. Period.

I'm sure Joe will have a capable running mate to take over if he can't complete his term. For now he looks up to the task to me.

[colsohlibgal]

181. Agree Totally

Maybe he he is mentally sharp enough now......but will he be through his presidency? Do we want to risk that?

I guess it, for whatever reason, is not a concern for the Biden crowd but it is what it is.

[LanternWaste]

184. No need to project your own devolvement onto everyone of the same age.

We're all different. We all age differently.

[Gothmog]

194. "People don't care about the gaffes. Because when you look at what we currently have in Joe Biden.

Link to tweet

[tberry65]

195. You're absolutely right!

[Ponietz]

199. Energizing non-voters and independents is what the Party most needs

That won’t happen without offering true change.

[saidsimplesimon]

201. I agree without the Nomex undies at 72.

[extvbroadcaster]

202. You are right, Biden is too old

I got flamed for saying the same thing. Biden is too old, so is Trump and so is Warren really. There should be a number of requirements to run for President. An age limit is one. Release tax returns. Pass a basic civics test for Christ sake. The OP is right, I don't care who you are. At upper 70's you are losing steps and are much better off in an advisor role, not running the show. A younger ticket would provide a clear contrast to Trump as well. Two old white guys on a debate stage? Trump wins. He has no intention of playing fair, and the news moderators will never press him. So he will ramble on, call Biden names, and his "base" will lap it up. 4 more years! I can hear it now. The goal here is to get rid of Trump, and I am afraid that Biden is not up to it, his heart is not in it, and he will lose to the orange anus.

[Sloumeau]

203. My Dad is 87, and due to lifetime of eating right and exercise, can probably kick the butts of most

78-year-olds. He does crossword puzzles every day, and the two 60-year-olds that he plays Scrabble with are amazed at how often he crushes them when they play. My dad and his 82-year-old wife (my mom) will be flying to England and Ireland in a few weeks so that they can walk around the countryside. They TIVO and watch the national news and Rachel Maddow five nights a week, and they know more about Democratic politics than 90% of the country (they were both teachers. My family lives by four ideas: eat right, exercise, learn, help people)

Not every 78-year-old is the same, and it is a mistake to think that Joe Biden is the same as another 78-year-old. I know that Biden will pick a good VP and that he will step down if he needs to due some medical emergency, unlike Reagan, who stayed in even though he clearly had Alzheimer's. On his worst day, Biden is better than Trump is on his best day, and he is better than George W. Bush was on his best day, and Bush was 54 when he took office.

Trump understands nothing about the U.S. Government or about how it should work. Biden has more experience in how the government is supposed to work than anyone else running. He will crush Trump like a bug, and he will work hard to make sure that everyone feels included and that the rising tide lifts all boats. He will unify us where Trump has divided us.

Reagan appealed to Republicans, Independents, and even a lot of Democrats because he offered to take Americans back to a time before the divisiveness that occurred from things like Watergate and stupid wars like Viet Nam. Biden will offer the same appeal to get back to a time before Trump's reckless and evil divisiveness, and because of that appeal, Biden will win.

We were on the right track with President Obama. Trump seriously derailed us. We need a candidate will help us to get us back on the track we were on with Barack Obama--the one that Hillary Clinton would have kept us on. We need to be on the track that has economic improvement for all, not just tax cuts for the rich. We need the track with improvement for race relations, not the one with Muslima bans and Latino children in cages. We need the track with advancement for the LGBTQ community, not kicking Trans people out of the military, and we need the track with a President who does not spend every day insulting people who are not part of the coalition that elected him. Biden, like Obama, Clinton, Carter, and JFK before him, wants to win not by insulting people, but by offering a positive vision of America and by offering to at least initially trying work with everyone. He wants to bring America back to the country it was before it got derailed

President Obama had us on the right track. Trump derailed an entire country. Biden will get us back on track. Go Joe!

[still_one]

209. What is amusing is the OP choose to single out Biden, not the other leading candidate who is older

than Biden, or the other leading candidate in her seventies

One might think this is just an opportunity for some to create a Biden bashing thread, since other older candidates are not even alluded to

The sure give away though is exclusively attacking him him on ageism, not on differences in policy or ideas

and then with the authority, see I am not ageist because I am old too. That is almost as laughable as those who say I am not prejudice because “Some of my best are....”

I also amused by those that always begin, “he is a great fellow, but....”


Excellent ageist and divisionary flame-bait OP, that people can see right through

love those generalizations

I could see similar reasoning used against FDR because of polio

Thank you all you neurologists who contributed to this bullshit. Wonder how many were the same faces telling us about Hillary’s health issues?

[Drunken Irishman]

210. I'm guessing a big bulk of the likes are also from Bernie & Warren supporters...

It's perfectly okay to be an ageist when it's Biden - but the other two? Meh. There's such a hypocrisy on DU that it's nauseating. If anyone else made a post that called out Warren for being a woman, or Harris for being a black woman, using those against either candidate, they'd have that post removed and likely would be banned from the forum. But it's perfectly acceptable to be an ageist. I don't care if the OP is older or not - it's insulting. It's demeaning. It's trash. This whole thread is trash.

[still_one]

213. No doubt about it, and it is divisionary and insulting.

[highplainsdem]

242. You're right. See my reply 240. I decided to check, got too bored after checking the first 52

who'd recced this thread, but of those, 22 were Warren supporters and a couple were Sanders supporters.

And I just checked the bottom couple lines of names of DUers who recced this thread, and it looks like those are about half Warren and Sanders supporters.

[duforsure]

211. I love Joe, but

Too many gaffes, and lapse's when he speaks, and we need an expert speaking for us , not someone who has troubles remembering lines, and policies.

[still_one]

214. LOL. Another I love Joe but.......................... Post. "some of my best friends are.........

[Turin_C3PO]

256. Bottom line is that Joe needs to get his misspeaking under control.

There’s no point in sticking your head in the sand and saying he doesn’t have some things he needs to work on. I don’t believe his “gaffes” are due to mental decline or age at all, I think it’s just something he’s always done. But it will eventually start to hurt us in the general against Trump because the media sucks and will focus on Biden’s misstatements and not on Trump’s Dosen daily lies.

I support Biden because of his foreign policy chops as well as his electability but I think Warren, Harris or possibly but unlikely, Sanders might catch up to him in the polls if he keeps making mistakes.

[treestar]

218. He is an expert on a lot of things

pauses do not indicate otherwise. Obama was famous for "ummm" and "look" Still knew more than anybody else in the room.

[HeartlandProgressive]

215. It is the individual, not their age that matters

So it is important to notice each candidate's behavior and performance and not make excuses for any obvious lapses or shortcoming

[Martin Eden]

228. Can you predict how advanced age will affect someone in a very stressful job 5 years from now?

Joe Biden will be 82 at the end of his first term.

If 80 isn't too old for the most demanding job on the planet, how old is too old -- 90; 100?

[Always Randy]

216. Biden with full blown dementia for 8 years is better than another day of Trump

I can't understand how people are picking out wallpaper for the dining room when both their front and back porches are on fire

[Autumn]

235. When my front and back porches are on fire I'm not sure a 77 year old firefighter would

be up to the job of putting out the fires and Joe will be 77 in November.

[DIVINEprividence]

224. Biden has to earn it

Let's see how he does in the debate with Warren. I think he will do great. Biden is a great man.

[citizen blues]

229. I agree.

I'm in my 50's, and I can feel a difference between my 20's and now.

I'm really not interested in Biden. He's had his time - 40 years of it. Bernie's a year older than Biden, and like Biden, he's also had his time - 16 years in the House plus 12 in the Senate.

We need some fresh faces in the Democratic party.

[Auggie]

236. K&R

[nolabear]

237. So RBG should retire for sure, then. Because allegers are like you.

My father in law is 96. He was once on the short list for Surgeon General. He was a surgeon until he hit mandatory retirement in his 70s, then went to the state board of health. He's not the man he was for sure now but in his 70s he was sharper than most people in their fifties.

I'm a retired therapist and know something about brain function. Age does indeed cause things like anomia so people forget names of things in the short term, but that has no actual bearing on their ability to reason or be effective in other cognitive function. Being onstage or pressured to come up with something under a spotlight exacerbates it. It's not harmful unless you're dealing with someone who has a prejudice against it. It's also very often exacerbated by menopause, so women deal with it earlier, often. We are not less capable. We just have to work around it.

If Joe actually exhibits cognitive decline that could be problematic I'll remark on it. So far he hasn't worried me about his capabilities in the office at all, except that he is kind of entitled and gets irritated that people give him the kind of unfair grief they give everyone else. I wish he'd get over that.

I still think he can get us back on track so the younger, more progressive people can follow.

[True Dough]

238. trof, if you were having any second thoughts based on responses to this thread

take a gander here first:

https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1287&pid=258897

[trof]

267. I wasn't, but thanks. WOW.

You KNOW the repugs will run that tape.

[True Dough]

286. Yes, sir

they will. Over and over again.

[highplainsdem]

240. Hilarious, or hypocritical? Nearly half the DUers reccing this thread support 70-year-old Warren.

At least that's my guess based on checking the first 52 names, out of which 22 were Warren supporters.

Out of those 52, there were also a couple of Sanders supporters, though Sanders is older than Biden.

There were a few Buttigieg and O'Rourke supporters -- the candidate names you'd expect to pop up from those most concerned about Biden supposedly being "too old."

And there were a couple of other candidate names, including Bennet and Steyer if I recall correctly.

And a lot of undecideds, though I recognize some of the undecideds as being regular Biden critics who support Sanders or Warren in their posts.

Most noticeable, though, were the Warren supporters.

Who think age is VERY important.

But apparently to them 70 is fine, while 76 isn't.

[bluewater]

243. Warren is 6 years younger, that means she is 8% younger. That's a lot.

both Biden and Sanders will turn 80 in their first term if elected.

Warren will not turn 80 even if serving two full terms.



Just sayin', since you asked.

[highplainsdem]

244. No, it isn't. Not enough of a difference if you're truly concerned about age.

[bluewater]

246. 8% is a HUGE age difference.

Especially for candidates in their 70's.

[highplainsdem]

247. No, it isn't. But I'm sure you'll find other Warren supporters who'll agree with you that 76 is too

old but 70 isn't.

I think you'd have a tough time selling that argument to anyone who isn't a "let's ignore Warren's age" Warren supporter, though.

What's really important is health.

All three of our oldest candidates, including Warren, are in good health.

[bluewater]

251. Look at Biden's performance today.

Sorry, but 6 years, 8% of their lifetime, is a huge difference and seem to be taking a toll on Joe.

But let's judge the candidates as individuals. As an individual, Biden's continuing gaffes, memory lapses and general confusion is very concerning.

Just today, there is a story in the Washington Post where Biden told a war story that just did not happen as he described.

“This is the God’s truth,” Biden had said as he told the story. “My word as a Biden.”

The upshot: In the space of three minutes, Biden got the time period, the location, the heroic act, the type of medal, the military branch and the rank of the recipient wrong, as well as his own role in the ceremony.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/as-he-campaigns-for-president-joe-biden-tells-a-moving-but-false-war-story/2019/08/29/b5159676-c9aa-11e9-a1fe-ca46e8d573c0_story.html

So, Joe Biden is not as sharp as a tack anymore. I know he is not a liar, so he must be confused.

We have to judge each individual candidate on what they say and do, right?

[highplainsdem]

254. See that New Yorker article I gave you the link for.

https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1287&pid=259057

[bluewater]

258. So, any explanation why Biden was so confused today?

[highplainsdem]

264. Again, see the article.

[treestar]

265. He's not confused about the big picture

Others can deal with details. He will pick really good people for that.

He would be elected to restore sanity. That's the only reason he is running. He would not be running if there was a normal R President, rather than one who is messing things up to a degree not seen before.

[blakstoneranger]

248. I LOVE JOE, BUT TROF IS RIGHT!!

From what I've seen with my own eyes I think maybe he's not capable of handling POTUS. I don't want to see him end up like trump. I would hate to see him make the crazy, inept mistakes in words and action as president dinkle tinkle. I really want him to have this, but he seems too medicated. He's not the only one, hillary, trump, pelosi, mcconnel, graham. There's a bunch of these old guys in washington who seem to be on some kind of powerful medication that affects their cognitive abilities. I hope I'm wrong, he's really the only one who really beat the pants off trump. Hey, if biden drops out, who would be a better choice to actually beat trump? SAVE AMERICA, DUMP TRUMP 2020!!

[highplainsdem]

249. So you think both HRC and Pelosi are too old? I guess that leaves Warren out, too, since she's just

one year younger than HRC.

And though you have Biden as your preferred candidate you now think he's too old.

Any more of our most powerful, most effective Democratic leaders and candidates you'd like out?

[MBS]

300. I see Buttigieg is the candidate of the hour.

•Appeals to moderates as well as progressives (essential!), and thus electable.
•Has bold ideas, but a moderate, straight-arrow persona.
•Wise and mature beyond his years, while stilll offering fresh perspective.
•Can deliver a tough message but one infused with hope and good sense.
•Smartest guy in the room, but not condescending; effortlessly connects the dots, drawing on astonishing breadth of knowledge, and boiling it all down into an accessible and sensible message.
•To my knowledge, has never had to walk back a misstatement.
•Has excellent judgment and can think on his feet.
•Picks great people as staff.(another essential quality!)
•Seems to get under MF45's skin. : )
•Has unquestioned integrity.
•Listens to people.
•Good with children and dogs. (sounds like a weird criterion, but it's a key litmus test for me in judging character).
•Has a ready wit.(essential survival skill!).

•Will have the energy and stamina to serve 8 full years at full throttle*
* This last quality is to me essential! The next president will be facing what is already a national (and international) emergency.
This seems to me no time for a caretaker or "transitional" president.

___
Many of our candidates have many of the qualities I've listed above- we are indeed lucky to have a talented "bench"this time around; and (ok, with a few exceptions), I wouldn't mind any of them as the GE nominee. But to my mind, Buttigieg is just better than the rest.
•He has ann uncanny way to getting right to the core of an issue and explaining it to voters, often on the spur of the moment, in an accessible way
and
•he has a broader and deeper and more integrated vision than anyone. (And see above for the rest).
Most of our candidates are excellent; but, for me, Pete is the man of the hour. Every time I hear him speak, I just hear a president.

OK, infomercial over.

[Aaron Pereira]

250. He'll never be as polished as Buttigieg or Obama that's for sure.

I'd hate to see him pushed out over his age and that seems to be a developing line of argument against him now. Maybe if he came out and said he would only be a one term president it might take the pressure off.

He's not my first choice but I think he deserves some room here.

[flamingdem]

253. Ah bullpucky. Joe Biden got heart, experience, and

he's running his campaign with intelligence.

A PROVEN PATRIOT

So get used to it:

PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN!!

[samnsara]

278. if all Biden did for a week after his election was put his arms around us and tell us everything..

....will be ok...my blood pressure would return to normal..I would sleep at night.. I would no longer have nausea after my first cup of coffee..my stomach WOULDNT HURT!! Not only do I feel he is going to metaphorically heal America....he is going to actually,physically heal all of us. I need that healing! We cant let voters 'buttery males' another potential savior of Democracy. This may be it...and Im kinda scared.


and yes I would be perfectly fine with a big ol bear hug from joe!!!

[trof]

270. Feels like I pulled the pin on a grenade and just rolled it in here.

Wow.
Interesting to read all the comments.
I guess it pisses a lot of folks off when you express an opinion in this forum.
I'll stick to GD in the future.
See you at the polls.

[Turin_C3PO]

272. Yeah and it's nothing like it was in previous primary seasons.

You remember 2004, 2008, and 2016. This thread is downright civil and calm compared to 2016, especially.

You certainly do have a right to your opinion and I respect it, although for me as a supporter it’s not his age but his misspeakings that have me a little nervous. I’m voting for him in the primary because I like his foreign policy experience and believe he, at the moment at least, is the most electable.

[highplainsdem]

279. Your OP slammed the front-runner. Did you expect your post to be ignored?

You're also getting a lot of agreement from DUers who don't like Biden -- who's standing between their favorites and the nomination -- but it's both hilarious and hypocritical that much of the agreement with your argument that Biden is "too old" is coming from people whose primary preference is another of the three candidates in their 70s.

[trof]

282. "Slammed"? Really? No, I didn't 'slam' him.

Here's a slam:
Joe Biden is a doddering drooler way past his sell by date.
He has to have his campaign manager buy his Depends.

Now THAT'S a slam.
I merely pointed out that, in my humble opinion, he might be a bit past his prime and that other candidates might be more capable.

I was kind.
And this is an opinion forum.
So...you get to have one TOO!
But what you don't get is to characterize my post as something that it isn't.

Thank you.

[highplainsdem]

283. You don't have to include childish insults to slam someone.

"Maybe his gaffes seem a bit endearing (to some), but I guarantee it will get worse" is a slam.

Insisting he's too old is a slam.

Yes, it's your opinion. It's still a slam. It wasn't "kind."

But thank you for your "concern" about him.

[colorado_ufo]

273. We need experience to handle all the crap that comes with this presidency, thanks to Trump.

Warren has enough, and Biden has it in spades.

Love Obama, but if these were the circumstances and he was running for the first time, I would choose experience even over his brilliant potential.

Biden knows Washington and he has limitless connections. He can actually be the one to staff the Cabinet and the whole administration with "the best people." Warren also knows Washington and has great plans. Sanders has experience, but he remains an Independent at heart (in my opinion).

The only way to get experience of this level with with age and time.

[samnsara]

276. biden knows where all the bodies are hidden....

...thats someone i want on MY side! He makes me feel safe.. gawd i need that.

[EveHammond13]

277. I trust Biden and his values and morals completely.

[doc03]

285. Why does the media and everyone else get on

Biden's case if he makes a gaff but Trump can outright lie 12000 times.

[Maine-i-acs]

287. But You Will Vote For Him If He's The Nominee ...

RIGHT???

[trof]

298. I will vote for whoever has 'D' after their name.

I will not even have to hold my nose.

[Maine-i-acs]

303. bless you Trof

I was the same with Hillary, not my first choice, still voted for her

[Gothmog]

297. I promise you if I'm elected president, unions will have no stronger champion in the White House.

Link to tweet

[cwydro]

301. Kick.

This latest Times piece says a lot.

[nini]

302. The voters get to decide

And many of us are ok with that experience.