Because the presidency is a unique office.

And there is no age litmus — there’s only an age minimum. I don’t think there should be a restriction, only that if the candidate is over 80 or so it’s fair to consider it maaaybe as a deterrent, and fair reason one might prefer someone else who’s qualified and equally as good in other ways? 8 years is a long time…

Presidents don’t have to die in office for it to be a big deal — Reagan was 77 when he was done and the consensus was he wasn’t necessarily competent for a good chunk of it. (His son claimed he saw signs of Alzheimer’s as early as 1984)

there is something to be said for having lived through an extensive arc of history: immigrant family; the Great Depression; and more than anyone’s share of wars.

Health is the issue. Being President is incredibly stressful and entails a grueling schedule. I don’t think that means a young person need do the job. But you know how they show those pics of what a Pres looks like on inauguration day vs. what they look like 8 years later? It take a pretty big toll on even young men…

I feel this is an exaggeration to prove your point. You brought up your 86 year old grandfather, and people responded to that age — as well as the subject of this post i.e. having two 80 year olds run in 2020. This is where it feels too much for most. Not “above 55", which is doubtful as Id bet almost everyone here…

Doctor here. Besides the statistical likelihood for death increasing with age AND various cognitive issues besides Alzheimers like others mentioned, there’s a REASON these things happen. We now live decades longer than we would naturally, thanks to modern medicine and biotechnology. But this doesn’t mean the cells and…

That is fucking nonsense. When it comes to the presidency, it’s not about ageism, it’s a matter of national (and global) stability. You brought up JFK, but neglected to mention Reagan, who was inaugurated at 70 and was exhibiting symptoms of Alzheimer’s by the end of his presidency. That’s not okay.

Yeah, experience is obviously a good thing. I’d argue that there’s a sweet spot where most lifelong public-servants have plenty of experience and good work under their belts, but are also statistically going to be alive and healthy and mentally up-to-the-task. Probably their 50s and 60s. I even thought Hillary might…

I suppose, if they are fixated on their legacy (as I think Bernie and Biden are — they are not saints, they are politicians), they might care more than the average oldster. But they still won’t be HERE to actually experience the future they are working for. I think that counts for something (no, none of us can assume…

Yep. I’d vote for literally anyone over Trump. I’d vote for that lady in Italy who just turned 116 and says she lived so long cause she’s single. But since there are dozens of eligible candidates, and not just a centenarian and an evil crazy-person, it’s probably a good idea to narrow it down to the ones that are…

No one should run for president unless we can be confident that they can serve for two terms; in my opinion, that means 70 or younger; preferably younger. The presidency ages a person as if they lived double the amount of years that actually passed.

Yeah, but we also had a president who spent half his time in office covering up his Alzheimers. And he’s the oldest (soon-to-be second-oldest) we’ve ever had. I’ve also heard theories that dementia has contributed to some of the insane shit Trump’s been doing and saying over the past year-and-a-half. Like, he was…

And I’d like someone who will have some skin in the game and actually, statistically, be around to see the effects of what they enact. *Shrug* Sixty-something, sure, yes, absolutely. Seventy-something, pushing it, but that’s what we’re stuck with now. Eighty-something, especially LATE eightysomething? Nope, not unless…

OK I’ll totally agree with that when you have the ability to tell the future.

At your dad’s age, health problems can come up and take over VERY quickly. Happened to my grandfather at 87. He was healthy and sharp for most of his life, then was diagnosed with congestive heart failure and died (after a HORRIBLE time) a little more than a year later.

Also, let’s be honest — someone who is 86 is NOT going to have to live for very long with decisions made regarding the future. I’d like to have a leader who has a little more skin in the game, fair or not, than one who will be statistically lucky to live another decade.

That’s why I think Trump won’t make the four years not because of scandal or impeachment, but health. Dude doesn’t exercise or sleep, and eats fast food. He doesn’t have a real doctor so who knows what he has. He’s a walking quadruple bipass waiting to happen.

I adore both of these dudes but was always skeptical of folks keeping them in the 2020 conversation as well. 80 is up there.

I was thinking the same thing when they both mentioned that they might run. Love the guys, but being president is a stressful job and stress isn’t very good on anyone’s health, especially the elderly.