General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: What's with all the Ageism in These Threads?? [View all]delisen
(6,042 posts)Last edited Sun Mar 19, 2017, 05:50 PM - Edit history (1)
The presidential term is 4 years. Some presidents do substantial work in 4 years . One young president was killed but did well for the country in the less than 4 years served. I think a well-qualified person could serve for four years and not run again.
Konrad Adenauer, Chancellor of Germany from 1949 to 1963 entered office at 73 left at age 87 nd died 4 years after that. He did millions of times better for Germany than the leader before him- much younger guy, Adolph Hitler.
I would never have a categorical age criterion and , as I think about it more, I think that the comment Clinton often made about Trump not having the temperament for the presidency is a quality I have unconsciously considered.
I've never been a big fan of John Kerry, although I did, of course, vote for him. He had the temperament, the experience and I could be confident that he would do everything he could to be a good and wise president, and would be able to make tough decisions and be patient rather than reactive.in foreign policy.
He's 73 now. If is is just in reasonably good health I would vote for him today over many younger, less experienced candidates.
In a nuclear age I really want to know the experience and the termperament of the candidate. I am not interested in a candidate who has little history.
We do have 5 living ex-presidents. This a lot, historically.