Biden’s Age Matters

There’s an age-old debate within the Democratic Party. Literally.

With regard to Pres. Joe Biden’s age I’d say my party falls into three camps. Those who worry that his age will doom his candidacy and so they want him replaced on the ticket, those who think his age hurts him but don’t see any alternative, and the true believers who see it all as nothing more than agism.

I am an apostate Democrat, so it’s not surprising that I reject the third position. It’s not agism, folks, it’s reality.

But among the other two camps I’m a bit split. I wish there were a younger candidate out there who didn’t feel like an even bigger risk than Biden. I think Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and former Ohio Congressman Tim Ryan would all make good choices. But they’re untested as national candidates and, even more scary, there’s no guarantee that they would win the nomination. If our candidate is Kamala Harris, Gavin Newsom or somebody from the Sanders/Warren wing, we lose for sure.

So, I tend to be with those who see no alternative to Biden while I continue to worry about his age. True believers who have reached the same conclusion have now swung into full partisan mode, decrying anyone who so much as raises a doubt as an agist bigot.

Putting your head in the sand or trying to shame those who raise a legitimate concern are not viable strategies because the issue will not go away. An ABC News poll from May found that 68% of Americans think Biden is too old for a second term. That includes a stunning 75% of independents and even 48% of Democrats. Donald Trump’s numbers on the same question are not nearly as bad.

Arguing the merits is a waste of time. Yes, indeed, Biden is in much better shape mentally and physically than Trump. (He’s more intellectually fit at 80 than Trump was at 35,) Yes, he’s shown that he can manage the rigors of the job for the last four years. But it doesn’t matter because in politics perceptions are crucial. Biden looks and sounds old. He tripped over a sand bag — which shouldn’t have been there if his advance team was doing its job. You can scream the merits of the case into the wind all you want. Just let me know when you get back from the wilderness.

So, let’s all return from the River Denial. Biden’s age is an issue that his team has to deal with and screaming “agism!” will not cut it.

I think maybe there’s two things that can be done, both strategies employed by a president with a similar problem, Ronald Reagan, who by the way was a youthful 73 when he ran for a second term. First, Reagan went out of his way to portray vigor. He famously spent long weekends “clearing brush” from his ranch. I never understood the point of clearing brush. I mean he wasn’t making hay. He was “clearing brush,” kind of like tidying up a very big lawn. It didn’t matter what the heck he was doing; he looked vital and manly while doing it. He also got himself on the cover of Parade Magazine — an insert in practically every Sunday newspaper in the country — doing arm curls. It was worth a thousand words.

Biden has a similar opening here. Since the public worries about his age, Biden’s team can push for soft stories that show the President’s workout and diet regime. (Note to team: do NOT include pickleball.)

And second, Reagan masterfully used humor. He may have won his second term when, in his second debate with the much younger Walter Mondale, Reagan said he wouldn’t let agism, in the form of worry about the youth and inexperience of his opponent, be a factor in the race. Drop the mic.

Biden can’t hide from this issue. At some point he needs to confront it directly and personally. If he can employ some carefully self-deprecating humor it would go a long way.

Biden isn’t getting any younger and the age issue can’t be wished or argued away. It needs to be confronted head on.