Considering term limits, mandatory retirement ages
Both major political parties are in a sort of quandary. One is mostly of its own making.
Republicans are desperate to turn the page on a chapter that brought to the pinnacle of power, for the first time in the nation's history, a twiceimpeached leader who shows no signs of departing. In fact, former President Donald Trump glories in the criminal behavior which defined his disgraced reign as justification to elect him to a second term.
In 2016, Democrats, after the usual fractious primary process, managed to put forth a candidate who appealed to enough voters unwilling to endure four more years of total disruption.
President Joe Biden was not the first choice of many in his party. But he succeeded in calming troubled waters that were threatening to engulf our struggling democracy.
His composure combined with his administration's notable achievements after just two years laid out convincingly in the recent State of the Union address makes him a formidable incumbent if he decides to run as anticipated. In fact, recent polls show that he could beat Trump in a rematch.
Paradoxically, these strengths are now being weighed against his most glaring vulnerability — that, if reelected, Biden would be, at 82, the oldest president ever to serve. For comparison, Theodore Roosevelt, the nation's 26th president, took office for two terms at the age of 42, becoming the youngest to date ever to serve.
His youth was not an issue.
Roosevelt retired at 50 — 7.3 years before the average age of all ex-presidents in the 20th century at the time of their inaugurations. For comparison, Bill Clinton and Barack Obama were a mere 54 and 55 respectively when they left office, both still in the prime of their lives.
At the other end of the spectrum, Gen. Dwight Eisenhower had turned 70 when he departed the White House in 1961 after serving two full terms as president. He suffered a heart attack five years earlier.
Ronald Reagan holds the record for oldest presidential retiree leaving office at 77, reportedly in robust physical health for his age though showing clear memory loss.
Woodrow Wilson, elected president in 1912 at the age of 56 having survived multiple strokes, stands out to this day as one who, in retrospect, was unfit for continuing in office. He remained in denial about his deteriorating condition which was never disclosed to the public — a coverup in which his wife, Edith, and his top advisors were fully complicit.
For the final 16 months of his presidency, his wife was the de facto president of the United States making nearly every important decision.
The responsibilities of running a government are daunting at any age. Both mental infirmities and physical illness must be a pervasive concern when entrusting the reins of leading a nation to any individual — man or woman.
The 25th Amendment to the Constitution, not enshrined in law until 1967, deals with presidential disability. It requires a president to submit a written declaration to the Senate and the speaker of the House of Representatives if the president “is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office.”
The amendment has yet to be invoked, though it was discussed in some circles well before the insurrection on Jan. 6, 2021.
Paradoxically, longevity has not been much of a factor for U.S. senators who serve in a body with no term limits, where the average age at the moment is 62.9 years. There are five senators well over 80, making it the oldest Senate in U.S. history.
Though the Supreme Court is skewing younger lately — the last seven pics are all under 70 with Clarence Thomas now the senior member at 74 — Stephen Breyer was 84 before stepping down, outlasted by Ruth Bader Ginsberg, who stayed on the bench until her death at age 87. Their mental acuity had not demonstrably waned and it was not questioned.
Long experience is rightfully honored. It only comes with age and youthfulness cannot be the sole guiding principle when choosing our leaders.
Let's dispense with the controversy. Term limits or mandatory retirement ages for all three institutions should be seriously considered.
The responsibilities of running a government are daunting at any age.