How Important is Age?
February 27th 2008 14:32
When Ronald Reagan was running for president, his age was an often mentioned detail in the media. The other candidates were younger, but he was elected twice. His age was quite unimportant when it came to running the country effectively.
John McCain's age is being brought up this year. He's older than Ronald Reagan was at the time of his first election and some folks seem to find that important. (Mostly the libs/dems, of course!)
So, when does age become a factor in ability (or elect-ablity)? Look at the Senators who have been re-elected time after time, in spite of their age. How about Robert Byrd? He's 90 years old and still in office. Ted Kennedy has been a Senator since the 60's. They are just two examples, true, but there are plenty more. Strom Thurmond lived to be 100! I guess being a senator is the ultimate in job security.
Presidents can only serve two terms, regardless of their age at the begining of their first term or the end of their second. Senators can serve forever, it seems. Age shouldn't be much of a factor in the presidential race, but maybe it should be more important in senatorial races. Maybe the number of years in office should be limited to a mere forty or fifty...?
John McCain's age is being brought up this year. He's older than Ronald Reagan was at the time of his first election and some folks seem to find that important. (Mostly the libs/dems, of course!)
So, when does age become a factor in ability (or elect-ablity)? Look at the Senators who have been re-elected time after time, in spite of their age. How about Robert Byrd? He's 90 years old and still in office. Ted Kennedy has been a Senator since the 60's. They are just two examples, true, but there are plenty more. Strom Thurmond lived to be 100! I guess being a senator is the ultimate in job security.
Presidents can only serve two terms, regardless of their age at the begining of their first term or the end of their second. Senators can serve forever, it seems. Age shouldn't be much of a factor in the presidential race, but maybe it should be more important in senatorial races. Maybe the number of years in office should be limited to a mere forty or fifty...?
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Comment by Anonymous
of course age matters, the greatest presidents in the history of the US were young, ronald reagan was only good with words. In his spare time he set saddam up in Iraq and supported the taliban then how many years later theycame up and bit you in the proverbial ass.
Comment by S.L. Bradish
Reagan won the Cold War without firing a shot, in case you didn't know. He was a great president who accomplished remarkable things.
You might also consider taking a history class and learning about enemies and alliances that change often. We used to be at war with Germany, Japan and Italy. It was called World War Two, Anonymous. Those three countries are now our allies. China, on the other hand was our ally in World War Two and is now a communist country. Our relations with them have been strained for many years.
Information is a good thing, Anonymous. You should try getting accurate information instead of silly rhetoric before trying to make a point.