# 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:** 5
**Author:** ![EllisDee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellisdee/32/4531_2.png) [@EllisDee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EllisDee)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2022, 1:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-biden-too-old/972405/81 "2022-09-30T01:56:12Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > Can we also have sex and race restrictions too? 🤨 🙄 Senior Age restrictions are a form of bigotry, often called ageism. I honestly don’t see a difference between discriminating against a 66-year-old and a 34-year-old. I see similarly valid reasons to exclude both, but currently we only exclude the 34 and under. At least for president. ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2022, 2:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-biden-too-old/972405/82 "2022-09-30T02:28:50Z")
I think people expect too much. Sure, our politicians need to be ethical and make good decisions. They talk a lot and sometimes make stupid mistakes like everyone does. And receive much more attention for them. What you don’t see is the endless travel, lack of sleep from dealing with disasters, daily stresses, people deliberately trying to mess you up, these things. Unless they were close friends, forgetting something like this in the moment on a single occasion is not very newsworthy. Is Biden being held to a higher standard than Trump here, who seems to have forgotten there are laws and stuff? A higher standard than Reagan? Bush and his innovative speech? He might be too old if this happens all the time. I would prefer younger Presidents in general. There are many wise folks in their 60s. But I have met sharp people in their 110s, so age is not everything. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2022, 2:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-biden-too-old/972405/83 "2022-09-30T02:35:45Z")
> [@EllisDee](#): > > I honestly don’t see a difference between discriminating against a 66-year-old and a 34-year-old. The difference is that one is against the law. ---
**Author:** ![EllisDee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellisdee/32/4531_2.png) [@EllisDee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EllisDee)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2022, 3:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-biden-too-old/972405/84 "2022-09-30T03:44:53Z")
Right, but I mean, we literally have age discrimination. You can be disqualified for being too young. I don’t see a limitation saying you also can’t be too old as somehow morally worse. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2022, 4:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-biden-too-old/972405/85 "2022-09-30T04:30:46Z")
> [@EllisDee](#): > > I honestly don’t see a difference between discriminating against a 66-year-old and a 34-year-old. I see similarly valid reasons to exclude both, but currently we only exclude the 34 and under. At least for president. Because those age restrictions are both in the Constitution, and are lower than age 40, thus legal. “People over 72 should not be allowed in public office” “Black People should not be allowed in public Office” “Gays should not be allowed in public office” “Women should not be allowed in public Office” These are all bigoted and _illegal._ If indeed you do think any of the above should not be in public office, you are free to vote as you see fit. I don’t get this idea that somehow people who claim they are progressive, liberal, and woke , people who would be scandalized and horrified at three of those- will cheerfully allow their inner bigot (we all have one of those, but humans with a conscience can ignore it) to come out and be bigoted about seniors. It is morally wrong, ethically wrong, and illegal. ---
**Author:** ![Bootb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e19b73/32.png) [@Bootb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bootb)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2022, 4:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-biden-too-old/972405/86 "2022-09-30T04:42:06Z")
Not all restrictions on the elderly are illegal. It’s very common for states to place various restrictions on the method or how often older drivers must renew their driver’s licenses. > **[State by State Look at Driving Rules for Older Drivers](https://www.claimsjournal.com/news/national/2012/09/19/213818.htm)** > > A 50-state look at the varying rules across the nation governing drivers' licenses for older adults. ALABAMA: Licenses are renewed every four years for There’s a bunch of people in this thread who need to climb down off their high horses, and understand that “recognizing biological changes” does not equal “bigotry,” “ageism,” or “age discrimination.” ---
**Author:** ![EllisDee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellisdee/32/4531_2.png) [@EllisDee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EllisDee)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2022, 4:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-biden-too-old/972405/87 "2022-09-30T04:47:39Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > These are all bigoted and _illegal._ Are you saying that the disqualification for anyone under 35 is also bigoted, but just happens to be legal? If not, why is one bigoted but not the other? They’re both age restrictions. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2022, 4:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-biden-too-old/972405/88 "2022-09-30T04:48:36Z")
[quote=“Bootb, post:86, topic:972405”] Not all restrictions on the elderly are illegal [/quote Right, many jobs have mandatory retirement ages. But absent a Constitutional amendment, the U.S. President can be old. Biden is doing a fine job, and I’ll vote for him again if he’s the nominee. But he’s too old. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2022, 4:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-biden-too-old/972405/89 "2022-09-30T04:49:19Z")
> [@Bootb](#): > > Not all restrictions on the elderly are illegal. It’s very common for states to place various restrictions on the method or how often older drivers must renew their driver’s licenses. There is a huge difference between “after age 70, you have to take additional tests to certify your ability to drive,” versus “after age 70, you cannot have a driver’s license, no matter what your fitness.” Several posters have suggested hard age ceilings for president and other offices. ---
**Author:** ![EllisDee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellisdee/32/4531_2.png) [@EllisDee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EllisDee)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2022, 4:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-biden-too-old/972405/90 "2022-09-30T04:50:55Z")
What is the difference between a hard ceiling and a hard floor? That is what I don’t understand. Morally, I mean. Not legally. One of the arguments against the age ceiling is that it’s bigoted. That’s a moral argument, not a legal one. (Ethical? I’m not sure of the right word.) ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2022, 4:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-biden-too-old/972405/91 "2022-09-30T04:59:12Z")
> [@EllisDee](#): > > What is the difference between a hard ceiling and a hard floor? That is what I don’t understand. > > Morally, I mean. Not legally. My WAG is that the Founding Fathers instituted the minimum ages for Federal offices (25 for the House, 30 for the Senate, and 35 for the Presidency) with the thinking (or maybe just hoping) that a certain minimum age would also tend to correlate with a level of life experience and wisdom. The “difference” between that and a maximum age to be President is that the former is in the Constitution, and the latter isn’t. ---
**Author:** ![EllisDee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellisdee/32/4531_2.png) [@EllisDee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EllisDee)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2022, 5:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-biden-too-old/972405/92 "2022-09-30T05:02:56Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > There is a huge difference between “after age 70, you have to take additional tests to certify your ability to drive,” versus “after age 70, you cannot have a driver’s license, no matter what your fitness.” There isn’t quite as much daylight between the second example and airline pilots having a mandatory retirement age regardless of fitness. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2022, 5:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-biden-too-old/972405/93 "2022-09-30T05:03:57Z")
Also, when it comes to discrimination in employment: no one is going to be considered to suddenly have become “too young” to do their current job, while employees have lost their jobs because they had become “too old.” ---
**Author:** ![EllisDee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellisdee/32/4531_2.png) [@EllisDee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EllisDee)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2022, 5:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-biden-too-old/972405/94 "2022-09-30T05:04:49Z")
Of course not. They would be denied the job in the first place. That’s still a lost opportunity. ---
**Author:** ![Tzigone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/839c29/32.png) [@Tzigone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tzigone)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2022, 12:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-biden-too-old/972405/95 "2022-09-30T12:35:46Z")
> [@DPRK](#): > > Categorical ageism and forced retirement is equally bad IMO. And yet the first is baked into the US Constitution. And with not much impetus to change it among the population or politicians. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2022, 12:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-biden-too-old/972405/96 "2022-09-30T12:39:53Z")
Exactly. That is the **moral** difference. Someone too young just needs to wait. Someone too old will never have the opportunity (unless their name is Benjamin Buttons). ---
**Author:** ![Tzigone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/839c29/32.png) [@Tzigone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tzigone)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2022, 12:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-biden-too-old/972405/97 "2022-09-30T12:42:57Z")
I disagree it’s morally different. In either we have decided an adult is unfit solely because of chronology. And “just wait” just isn’t valid - what’s possible for one individual at 28 might not be possible at 41 for various reasons (including early death, which still does happen in the world), and so they’ve lost the opportunity forever. But if it’s bigoted to say a 80 year old is unfit solely based on age, then it’s bigoted to say that a 30 year old is unfit solely based on age. ---
**Author:** ![k9bfriender](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k9bfriender/32/3283_2.png) [@k9bfriender](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/k9bfriender)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2022, 12:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-biden-too-old/972405/98 "2022-09-30T12:45:15Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > And, in fact, being age 40 or above places you in a “protected class” in the U.S., and being fired from a job (or forced to retire) specifically because you are age 40+ is, from a legal standpoint, age discrimination, and against the law. Not always. > [@](#): > > Mandatory retirement based on age is permitted for: > > - executives over 65 years in high policy-making positions, who are entitled to a pension over a minimum yearly duration. Is the president\* not an executive in a high policy making position who is entitled to a pension over a minimum yearly duration? I’m not saying that we _should_ impart an age restriction, I’m just saying that it’s not as illegal as some seem to be saying. \*or Supreme Court Justice or Congressperson ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2022, 1:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-biden-too-old/972405/99 "2022-09-30T13:01:22Z")
> [@k9bfriender](#): > > Is the president\* not an executive in a high policy making position who is entitled to a pension over a minimum yearly duration? I considered this too, but I believe it’s specifically referring to private industries, where the term “executive” has a real meaning. That term isn’t as well-defined in government. (IANAL and this is just my WAG.) ---
**Author:** ![k9bfriender](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k9bfriender/32/3283_2.png) [@k9bfriender](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/k9bfriender)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2022, 1:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-biden-too-old/972405/100 "2022-09-30T13:46:52Z")
Fair, and I am not saying that this would definitely apply legally, just that when the legal framework was written up for anti-age discrimination, it was in fact allowed that certain positions _could_ have age restrictions. And for the same reasons that they were allowed there, I would think that it would be reasonable to allow them when the stakes are actually higher than the leadership of a mere company. Also, as medical technology and overall health has increased, so has the number of functional years an average person has. I wouldn’t want to set a hard limit that is obsolete in 20 years. If I were to set some sort of age limit, it would be based off of the expected lifespan of the population. It’s a bit annoying that I moved out of my parent’s house over a quarter of a century ago, and yet it’s still their generation that is in charge of the country that I live in. I do think that at least some of the problems in our government stem from people being in office for as long as they are, but I’d rather have term limits, and maybe even lifetime limits for national office, than an arbitrary age limit. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-biden-too-old/972405.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-biden-too-old/972405.md?page=6)