General Discussion

Algernon Moncrieff

(5,961 posts)

68. I assure you that candidate age will be an issue in the GE

Tue May 26, 2015, 08:12 PM

May 2015

It does not matter what you or I think; it matters what the media and the public buy into.

Scott Walker is currently 47
John Ellis Bush is currently 62
Chris Christie is currently 52

Reagan (who has, for better or worse, set the old-guy bar for presidential politics) was just shy of 70 at the time of his innauguration.

HRC is currently 67
Bernie Sanders is currently 73

..and since you asked

Elizabeth Warren is currently 65
Al Gore is currently 67
Martin O'Malley is currently 52

Bernie would be almost 4 years older than Reagan when he takes the oath (in this sake-of-discussion scenario). He was born in September of 41, meaning he'll be 75 in November of 2016. If you don't think that will be a campaign issue, send me the name, address, and price list of your dealer, or the brand of liquor you are enjoying.

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Just for conversations sake, lets say 75 year old Sanders wins the 2016 Election... [View all] Joe the Revelator May 2015 OP

I don't know, but I will say this Cali_Democrat May 2015 #1

Are you seriously implying that Bernie would choose a "Sarah Palin" type as VP? djean111 May 2015 #3

No. Cali_Democrat May 2015 #4

Well, then, I am totally confident that Bernie will pick his VP with an eye to djean111 May 2015 #6

Yes and winning the GE. Agschmid May 2015 #54

How about Hillary? She's all of six years younger than Bernie. merrily May 2015 #205

Bernie's VP will be loyal to his agenda, we can be sure. Unlike the rest. TheNutcracker May 2015 #127

I'd argue that many recent picks would have been loyal to the top of the ticket Cali_Democrat May 2015 #138

No. Agschmid May 2015 #5

I think Julian Castro is THE Veep pick on the Dem side. MohRokTah May 2015 #22

I still think if someone like him were to announce, the nomination could be ripe for the picking.... Joe the Revelator May 2015 #27

What a strange comment. nt enlightenment May 2015 #71

Not when you realize it is coming from a Bernie basher LondonReign2 May 2015 #166

Ah. Makes more sense. enlightenment May 2015 #167

Why? Joe the Revelator May 2015 #78

I agree with you. Julian would be a very good pick for our nominee. jwirr May 2015 #141

How people here view him as a VP pick... NCTraveler May 2015 #178

And McCain was 4ish years younger than Bernie in 2008. Joe the Revelator May 2015 #9

+1 Tarheel_Dem May 2015 #12

As long as he's of sound mind, and capable of doing the job eloydude May 2015 #2

Who tells the President he's of sound mind? Joe the Revelator May 2015 #7

Friends of mine attended a meeting with Reagan, in the White House, the subject was djean111 May 2015 #10

I wonder what was worse for the country: hifiguy May 2015 #17

lol! ALBliberal May 2015 #129

Careful. You can't ponder too deeply about the possibilites re: Bernie Sanders. I found that out.. Tarheel_Dem May 2015 #8

Yeah I figure it was slippery ground, but it certainly should be talked about, just as Hillary's age Joe the Revelator May 2015 #11

Well, I thought the lack of ethnic diversity at his big announcement was worth talking about.... Tarheel_Dem May 2015 #24

Your concern is duly noted. Thank you for playing. peacebird May 2015 #26

Like I said...this won't help -------->>>>>>>> Tarheel_Dem May 2015 #44

They don't want you to have concern.. but, they want to question African Americans who support Cha May 2015 #144

I agree with BainsBane..."Bernie's greatest liability is his supporters". Tarheel_Dem May 2015 #154

A lot Cha May 2015 #188

Ain't it the truth? It's like circa 2000 all over again, and we know what happened there. Tarheel_Dem May 2015 #189

YOUR ARROWS ARE POINTING TO THE RIGHT!!!!!!!!!! BUSTED!!!!! nt. NCTraveler May 2015 #179

It's Vermont, hifiguy May 2015 #36

And "chances are" the optics have just sealed Bernie's fate. Tarheel_Dem May 2015 #46

Nonsense -- everyone knows that is the town he was mayor of and where he karynnj May 2015 #107

+1 eloydude May 2015 #119

Hear hear! Art_from_Ark May 2015 #142

Bullshit HERVEPA May 2015 #135

That point can't be made often enough. Orrex May 2015 #152

Same with Clinton. jeff47 May 2015 #159

I haven't seen anyone make that claim about Clinton, though. Orrex May 2015 #161

You don't need to be well-liked by the party. The party will be turning out no matter what. jeff47 May 2015 #162

Well, that's a load of shit from start to finish. Orrex May 2015 #165

If you don't want to talk about loyalty oaths, don't ask for them. jeff47 May 2015 #169

I asked for no loyalty oath. Orrex May 2015 #170

If you truly hadn't, I would not have struck a nerve. jeff47 May 2015 #171

If you are emblematic of Sanders' supporters, he's doomed indeed. Orrex May 2015 #172

And again you're back to lying about me. jeff47 May 2015 #193

If the primary were held tomorrow between Sanders & Clinton, who would get your vote? Orrex May 2015 #195

Neither. jeff47 May 2015 #198

Why are you obsessed with that particular straw man? Orrex May 2015 #204

Why are you obsessed with my vote? jeff47 May 2015 #209

I ask about your vote to try to give your nonsense some kind of context. Orrex May 2015 #212

Well then, we're lost... Chan790 May 2015 #173

^^^^ THIS ^^^^ Tarheel_Dem May 2015 #181

Hmmm, catnhatnh May 2015 #53

He announced in Vermont, which was 96.7% white according to the last census. tblue37 May 2015 #64

Vermont is not that ethnically diverse a state. Erich Bloodaxe BSN May 2015 #65

Vermont is mostly Caucasian right? I think he will appeal to and draw diverse crowds as he campaigns ALBliberal May 2015 #134

Don't count on it. Tarheel_Dem May 2015 #155

I maintain his popularity will grow among all groups. ALBliberal May 2015 #157

Perhaps, but there's no built in loyalty to Bernie Sanders in minority communities. It might suck, Tarheel_Dem May 2015 #177

That's a fairly derogatory view of one of the most ALBliberal May 2015 #208

Thanks for posting that article, Tarheel! lunamagica May 2015 #174

Reality bites, don't it? Attempting to silence anyone who's not a Bernie fanboi won't work with me. Tarheel_Dem May 2015 #175

Right on. In the real world Hillary has an enoumous lead lunamagica May 2015 #182

I'm sorry you got a hide for pointing the lack of diversity since it's true. they are so sensitive Cha May 2015 #143

Shhhh. They haven't figured out yet that the country is not Vermont. No shade intended, but.... Tarheel_Dem May 2015 #153

So Sanders needed to bus in some minorities? jeff47 May 2015 #158

No. That's an absurd suggestion. Cali_Democrat May 2015 #183

Shhhh. They never thought Obama bashing could come back to bite someone they liked. Tarheel_Dem May 2015 #186

So instead he should have ignored where he came from? jeff47 May 2015 #190

Where did I say Bernie has a problem with black voters? Cali_Democrat May 2015 #201

Well, Bernie has some unions backing him for the nomination. I'm sure they can fix the optics going Tarheel_Dem May 2015 #187

:eyes: jeff47 May 2015 #191

Pointing out the lack of diversity at the big announcement is "race bating"? Boy, it's gonna be a.. Tarheel_Dem May 2015 #206

No, claiming there must be higher diversity than the local population is. jeff47 May 2015 #211

"Diversity" brings y'all down. I've got your number now. No need for further comment. Tarheel_Dem May 2015 #213

Vermont is pretty white. The real diversity tests will com when he campaigns eridani May 2015 #185

Your concern is noted. truebluegreen May 2015 #13

So, you have nothing to add? I think its a fair question. Joe the Revelator May 2015 #14

You realize Clinton is only six years younger, right? Scootaloo May 2015 #15

She's no spring chicken either...but lets be serious. Joe the Revelator May 2015 #18

Uh, yes it is 'ageist' when you simply base your concern on 'age'. Erich Bloodaxe BSN May 2015 #29

Mentally, I'd probably wager that by 2020, Christie would be sharper. Joe the Revelator May 2015 #56

Not a Sanders supporter but... BlueStater May 2015 #66

And talking about the age of someone you want to elect to the highest position in the country.... Joe the Revelator May 2015 #19

It is when you use it to concern troll. Scootaloo May 2015 #21

Asking a question is concern trolling? Joe the Revelator May 2015 #25

I'm sorry Joe, you're just not as clever as you think you are. Scootaloo May 2015 #28

You can keep looking for boogymen in the shadows, Scootaloo... Joe the Revelator May 2015 #31

No, it's really not valid Scootaloo May 2015 #38

I admit, the question is hypothetical, and focused more on democratic continuity... Joe the Revelator May 2015 #45

And then there is RBG. pangaia May 2015 #77

RBG will outlive a lot of people eloydude May 2015 #120

Exactly... pangaia May 2015 #150

Excellent rebuttal Scootaloo. Stay after it. nt ladjf May 2015 #151

"If you don't want to discuss things, don't join a discussion board. " rhett o rick May 2015 #124

There is no lack of issue threads on the front page.nt Joe the Revelator May 2015 #132

Juror #4 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE Explanation: You dare to alert on Scooty? L0oniX May 2015 #30

Say what now? Scootaloo May 2015 #32

You were alerted on. Alert failed. L0oniX May 2015 #35

And someone said that? Yeek! Scootaloo May 2015 #39

Apparently enough people like you very much and won't hide your post. L0oniX May 2015 #41

For the record, I didn't alert on anyone Joe the Revelator May 2015 #47

It's not concern trolling if it's a legitimate campaign issue Algernon Moncrieff May 2015 #43

it's not an issue for either of them Scootaloo May 2015 #49

I think democratic continuity is a campaign issue as well as i think that.... Joe the Revelator May 2015 #52

Is the 80 year-old person able to drive? Then what's the problem? Scootaloo May 2015 #60

I don't know, lets take a look at the 80 year old... Joe the Revelator May 2015 #61

I assure you that candidate age will be an issue in the GE Algernon Moncrieff May 2015 #68

This,this, this Joe the Revelator May 2015 #80

All we have to do show the Republicans eloydude May 2015 #122

Out of line. Agschmid May 2015 #103

It's personal fucking smear! What's your problem? Too tough to address real issues? L0oniX May 2015 #40

Calm down there, high speed....nothing personal about it. nt Joe the Revelator May 2015 #50

Yea ...age, looks, hair are all personal. L0oniX May 2015 #55

Age actually matters. Joe the Revelator May 2015 #57

Is he handsome? Is Hillary beautiful? We can't be having ugly people for POTUS. L0oniX May 2015 #75

who in this thread is making that argument? Joe the Revelator May 2015 #76

Personal is ...personal ...and it's supposed to be off limits. L0oniX May 2015 #79

If you want to pretend that science doesn't exist.... Joe the Revelator May 2015 #85

Google "Hillary heart problem" if you really care about age related issues. L0oniX May 2015 #89

You seriously have no idea how much I dislike Hillary...however...Edward Klein as your source? Joe the Revelator May 2015 #91

Unfortunately the decision is not solely made on character, and you know it. Agschmid May 2015 #104

You did stand up for McCain when he ran at age 69 against the ageism, didn't you??? madinmaryland May 2015 #90

Of course, DU as a whole did.... Joe the Revelator May 2015 #97

I think these questions apply to her as well Renew Deal May 2015 #114

It is a legit concern hifiguy May 2015 #16

Solid answer Joe the Revelator May 2015 #20

!... KoKo May 2015 #62

Running mate is very important. Renew Deal May 2015 #115

Thus why Julian Castro is a bad pick for a running mate. BlueStater May 2015 #121

I agree completely. Renew Deal May 2015 #123

Age doesn't matter if they appear physically and mentally well and Sanders doesn't have a problem JI7 May 2015 #23

Nice personal attack. L0oniX May 2015 #33

You called McCain an old white geezer snooper2 May 2015 #168

I thought aspirant May 2015 #34

I never said i was in disarray, pulling my hair out or losing anywhere near millions.... Joe the Revelator May 2015 #37

This message was self-deleted by its author eloydude May 2015 #125

If I recall, Reagan said he'd step aside if he started to become senile Algernon Moncrieff May 2015 #42

I knew an 85 year old that was still splitting wood... Kalidurga May 2015 #48

I'm okay with that. LWolf May 2015 #51

Another solid answer, thank you. Joe the Revelator May 2015 #58

You're welcome. LWolf May 2015 #59

Yes, as long as he's not confused, erratic, or doddering deutsey May 2015 #108

When you vote, you are also voting for his successor nadinbrzezinski May 2015 #63

He tapped Truman, ditching Henry Wallace, at the demand of the southern wing Jackpine Radical May 2015 #133

That is very true nadinbrzezinski May 2015 #136

The party back room dwellers screwed Wallace at the eleventh hour. PeteSelman May 2015 #146

What if Hillary has a stroke? Seriously, dude - TBF May 2015 #67

This is part of the script nadinbrzezinski May 2015 #69

Agree. nt TBF May 2015 #70

They're "Just Asking Questions" because there is "word" that "people are concerned" about. arcane1 May 2015 #72

Exactly. nt TBF May 2015 #84

Post removed Post removed May 2015 #82

I don't know the details but remembered hearing about the fainting TBF May 2015 #86

Also, very fair criticism of Hillary, IMO. nt Joe the Revelator May 2015 #87

The New York Compost is a right-wing rag and not credible. n/t BlueStater May 2015 #92

Hey wait a minute... I thought personal was personal? Agschmid May 2015 #106

Medical issues, while personal, are related to fitness to serve. Different from hair, age, or feet. NYC_SKP May 2015 #139

Five Reasons The Media Shouldn't Trust Discredited Journalist Ed Klein Renew Deal May 2015 #116

I hope we are lucky enough to find that out after his first term. Tierra_y_Libertad May 2015 #73

Well, Bernie has an active, viable, inquisitive brain. pangaia May 2015 #74

Nice way of framing the question to avoid saying too old. guillaumeb May 2015 #81

I would rather have a president die in office while actually working for us yurbud May 2015 #83

Im not even that afraid of him dying in office, 84 isn't SO old.... Joe the Revelator May 2015 #88

He's not 84 - he's 73. Next year 74. 74+8=82. TBF May 2015 #95

Do you guys even know your own candidate? Joe the Revelator May 2015 #98

Again, where is 84 coming from? nt TBF May 2015 #100

2024 he will be over a quarter of the way into his 84th trip around the sun Joe the Revelator May 2015 #101

Lame. He'd be nearly out of office. nt TBF May 2015 #109

You're arguing semantics. 80+ for the sake of this conversation, is still 80+ Joe the Revelator May 2015 #112

I'm arguing that you're exaggerating in order TBF May 2015 #149

likewise, Bernie firing on half is cylinders would be better than a DLCer firing on all yurbud May 2015 #163

likewise, Bernie firing on half his cylinders would be better than a DLCer firing on all yurbud May 2015 #164

Agesim....so sad. fredamae May 2015 #93

Are we OK with Hillary's Blood Clot Brain Injury? Joe Turner May 2015 #94

No! We shouldn't be. At all. She needs to release ALL medical records. Joe the Revelator May 2015 #99

Fuck McNuttier go ANN KIRKPATRICK! lonestarnot May 2015 #96

I will support President Sanders AS LONG AS HE WANTS. I am OK with him 84 or 94. Vincardog May 2015 #102

if by some minor miracle he wins the Dem nomination, the RW media will pound him on this issue. DCBob May 2015 #105

They already are, as evidenced by this thread. nt TBF May 2015 #110

I think RW media would love for Bernie to be competitive. DCBob May 2015 #111

No they don't. They like Clinton on the issues waaaay more than Sen Sanders. Clinton agrees with rhett o rick May 2015 #126

You are confused.. DCBob May 2015 #145

Clinton gives them a horse race. jeff47 May 2015 #160

Nice analysis but I don't agree Hillary is a riskier candidate. DCBob May 2015 #184

Then she would have won 2008. jeff47 May 2015 #196

I was referring to the general election. DCBob May 2015 #202

Gotta win the primary first. jeff47 May 2015 #210

I'm RW media?? Man, I seriously had nothing against Sander's supporters, but.... Joe the Revelator May 2015 #113

Don't forget to cash you check from Fox, bro. Agschmid May 2015 #118

The other candidate passed out at age 65 then hit her head and suffered a concussion and subsequent CentralMass May 2015 #128

I would wholeheartedly agree with that. Joe the Revelator May 2015 #131

Not monsters - media TBF May 2015 #148

The OP is *NOT* the right wing media... Agschmid May 2015 #117

actually DonCoquixote May 2015 #130

Maybe he should just be 54. Like the shrub was. Age makes so much difference. n/t jtuck004 May 2015 #137

Trying to compair Sen Sanders with DipShit McCain is an insult. But I assume rhett o rick May 2015 #140

You lost me at 2014. B Calm May 2015 #147

"Too old" is as diaphanous and illusory as "too emotional." LanternWaste May 2015 #156

Well said! n/t markpkessinger May 2015 #197

Anyone youthful enough to make it through an American Presidential election cycle... NCTraveler May 2015 #176

Here is the takeaway from Sanders and Clintons age. NCTraveler May 2015 #180

As opposed to 67 year old HRC? Seriously that all you got? Rex May 2015 #192

I look at it like this: it doesn't matter how young or old a candidate is . . . markpkessinger May 2015 #194

If Democrats make age an issue in the primary . . . markpkessinger May 2015 #199

A few desperate people are grasping at straws here. BOTH are past retirement age. Rex May 2015 #200

Maybe the nominee won't be either Hillary or Bernie. Koinos May 2015 #207

What of Hillary, who is all of six years younger than Bernie? merrily May 2015 #203