# Is Biden too old? **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [September 28, 2022, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-biden-too-old/972405 "2022-09-28T18:35:21Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Sage\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sage_rat/32/399_2.png) [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2022, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-biden-too-old/972405/1 "2022-09-28T18:35:21Z")
There are plenty of videos of Biden looking a bit old and out of it, but most of these that I’ve seen seem to rely on camera angles where he’s responding to something off screen that we can’t see and hear. Today, however, he forgot that the death of a Congresswoman for whom he delivered a eulogy about a month ago. > **[Biden asks if lawmaker killed in August accident is in attendance at White...](https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/3665136-biden-asks-if-lawmaker-killed-in-august-accident-is-in-attendance-at-white-house-event/)** > > President Biden on Wednesday asked if Rep. Jackie Walorski (R-Ind.), who was killed in a car accident last month, was in attendance at a White House hunger conference. Biden was delivering a speech… I have to admit, that’s concerning. Even if we might say that it’s more an issue that he’s dealing with a lot of stuff in the world and getting calls at 3am to make decisions emergencies all over the globe, so it’s more an issue of being overworked rather than being senile - I have to imagine that a younger person would be able to handle the strain better. Even if you’re not senile, that doesn’t mean that you’re physically robust enough to deal with the demands of a job that requires spinning a lot of plates and getting woken up at all hours. Politics and optics be as it may, we’re dealing with a lot of hard issues in the world and the reality is that we sort of need an organized, competent, and mentally fit individual to be in charge of it all. If the issue is age then he should step down and accept the reality that he’s simply not fit. If the issue is sleep then he should adjust the system and do more delegation. ---
**Author:** ![Two\_Many\_Cats2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/779978/32.png) [@Two\_Many\_Cats2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Two_Many_Cats2)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2022, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-biden-too-old/972405/2 "2022-09-28T18:40:03Z")
I don’t think asking about Walorski’s presence at a hunger conference is that big of a red flag. Were they close friends or something? If he asked about her attendance while delivering her eulogy, I might be more concerned. ---
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2022, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-biden-too-old/972405/3 "2022-09-28T18:55:44Z")
No, everyone forgets things. ---
**Author:** ![Si\_Amigo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/si_amigo/32/2877_2.png) [@Si\_Amigo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Si_Amigo)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2022, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-biden-too-old/972405/4 "2022-09-28T18:58:25Z")
I have many friends who have passed away and sometimes I forget for a minute that they are dead. You don’t just automatically place them into your dead friend memory space, sometimes it takes a while to sunk in. Especially when it comes to people you don’t see often. ---
**Author:** ![dolphinboy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dolphinboy/32/330_2.png) [@dolphinboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dolphinboy)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2022, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-biden-too-old/972405/5 "2022-09-28T19:00:17Z")
I think Biden is acting exactly as you would expect a 79 year old to act. He’s not as sharp as he was 20 years ago, but who is? Is it impacting his day-to-day job? I don’t see that, and I don’t think he should step down because he forgot somebody’s name or whatever. The bigger question is should he run for another four years? I think he should consider not running, but it should be his decision, and if he feels up to it, and it’s decided he’s the best Democratic candidate available, then so be it. ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2022, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-biden-too-old/972405/6 "2022-09-28T19:02:43Z")
> [@dolphinboy](#): > > The bigger question is should he run for another four years? I’d say yes, he is too old. I’d prefer my leaders to be under 80. Preferably under 65. Sure, there are some sharp, vital 70 yr olds, but it is exceptionally rare for them to be as sharp and vital as they had been a decade or 2 earlier. ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2022, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-biden-too-old/972405/7 "2022-09-28T19:04:40Z")
Yes, too old. I want my presidents to be under 60. ---
**Author:** ![SuntanLotion](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/suntanlotion/32/16165_2.png) [@SuntanLotion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SuntanLotion)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2022, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-biden-too-old/972405/8 "2022-09-28T19:05:42Z")
Bernie. ---
**Author:** ![Sage\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sage_rat/32/399_2.png) [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2022, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-biden-too-old/972405/9 "2022-09-28T19:15:32Z")
> [@Si\_Amigo](#): > > I have many friends who have passed away and sometimes I forget for a minute that they are dead. You don’t just automatically place them into your dead friend memory space, sometimes it takes a while to sunk in. Especially when it comes to people you don’t see often. I did consider that but, as said, he spoke at her funeral. On top of that, if we consider something like when he asked the wheelchair-bound Chuck Graham to “stand up” back in 2008, he realized what he had done and amended his statement. Here, he never does (or, at least, I can’t find any source indicating that he did). ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2022, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-biden-too-old/972405/10 "2022-09-28T19:18:04Z")
The thing is most of the people who say Biden is too old to run for President at 81 (which will be his age in 2024) want to vote for a guy who will be 78. It makes their declaration of principles seem a little suspect. ---
**Author:** ![Sage\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sage_rat/32/399_2.png) [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2022, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-biden-too-old/972405/11 "2022-09-28T19:26:21Z")
And like I told them about what happens if Trump was impeached - President Michael Pence (R) - it should be noted that what happens if Biden steps down in we get President Kamala Harris (D). Nancy Peloei wasn’t going to replace Trump and, likewise, Biden won’t be replaced with Kevin McCarthy. That’s not how it works. There’s no downside. You go into the next election with a younger incumbent who is the one that lead us out of a new cold war, fixed up everything after Hurricane Ian, etc. It’s pretty much all upside. As it is, it might already be Harris doing a lot of the work. We really don’t know. ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2022, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-biden-too-old/972405/12 "2022-09-28T19:33:05Z")
I struggle to take any statement from someone who has said Jared Kushner is the most qualified person to run for president seriously. I’m also sick of this notion that Biden is on his last legs. There are a lot of really able, smart people who just happen to be old. We’ll be hard pressed to find someone as qualified and masterful as Biden has been in his administration of government, even at his advanced age. Show me the Democrat other than Biden who has the chops to rebuild a hollowed-out government, take on a raging pandemic along with predictable side-effect supply chain recession and ensuing inflation, an overseas unnecessary vanity project/slaughter of war against the Ukrainian people requiring the reunification of NATO which Trump very nearly pulled us out of, passage of landmark climate change and infrastructure legislation (with a 50/50 Senate, no less!), successful prosecution of a shitload of traitorous persons including a significant number of Republicans in Congress, massive misinformation infecting all aspects of government – just to mention a few – and we’ll talk. I agree with @dolphinboy. It’s Biden’s call. ---
**Author:** ![Sooner](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sooner/32/7875_2.png) [@Sooner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sooner)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2022, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-biden-too-old/972405/13 "2022-09-28T19:36:11Z")
I do have concerns about him running again. I have a very hard time seeing an 85 year old preforming the job well. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2022, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-biden-too-old/972405/14 "2022-09-28T19:37:53Z")
> [@dolphinboy](#): > > The bigger question is should he run for another four years? That hinges on whether or not trump will be running. Biden is the only leading dem who can beat him. > [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > The thing is most of the people who say Biden is too old to run for President at 81 (which will be his age in 2024) want to vote for a guy who will be 78. It makes their declaration of principles seem a little suspect. Exactly. Or support an Independent/Dem who will be 83 or so. Those who want a younger president - who can beat trump? If it is the choice between an 81 yo Biden or a 78 yo trump, I know who I will vote for. Harris is a maybe. Some polls have her edging out trump, but getting clobbered by de Santis. But that was a Florida poll. Now if trump doesn’t run, things are more open. > [@Aspenglow](#): > > I’m also sick of this notion that Biden is on his last legs. There are a lot of really able, smart people who just happen to be old. We’ll be hard pressed to find someone as qualified and masterful as Biden has been in his administration of government, even at his advanced age. Good points. Maybe Biden will be too sick to run, but I hope not. ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2022, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-biden-too-old/972405/15 "2022-09-28T19:41:07Z")
I still like Mayor Pete! Not gonna happen, I know. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2022, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-biden-too-old/972405/16 "2022-09-28T19:43:46Z")
I like him too. But Peoria is not ready yet. ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2022, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-biden-too-old/972405/17 "2022-09-28T19:56:15Z")
I’ll just add that I saw a graph this morning on the news that showed confidence in government has climbed to 50%, higher than it’s been in a long time. That’s Biden’s doing, too. Of course a younger person _with the same qualifications_ is preferable. But winning is more preferable still. If no one younger makes their way forward within the next few months, I’ll stick quite happily with Biden. ‘Young’ is not an important qualification for me, not when compared to ‘experienced.’ ---
**Author:** ![Sage\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sage_rat/32/399_2.png) [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2022, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-biden-too-old/972405/18 "2022-09-28T19:57:45Z")
> [@Aspenglow](#): > > I struggle to take any statement from someone who has said Jared Kushner is the most qualified person to run for president seriously. If that was your takeaway from that thread, you might want to go back and read more than the first sentence of the post. qualified != desirable ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2022, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-biden-too-old/972405/19 "2022-09-28T19:58:43Z")
I’ll admit I didn’t make it further than that first sentence. Apologies if I misunderstood your intent in posting that statement. I couldn’t get past it. ---
**Author:** ![Sage\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sage_rat/32/399_2.png) [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2022, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-biden-too-old/972405/20 "2022-09-28T19:59:29Z")
I’ve certainly started posting a reply to someone before reading their full post. We shouldn’t do it, but we do. No offense taken. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-biden-too-old/972405.md?page=2)