DeSantis takes a stab at Biden’s age
In a pointed critique that is sure to stir debate as the 2024 presidential election approaches, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, a Republican, raised questions about the suitability of an octogenarian serving as the nation’s commander-in-chief. The comment seemed to be a veiled shot at both current President Joe Biden, a Democrat, and former President Donald Trump. Should they serve a full second term, Biden would be 86 and Trump 82 by its conclusion.
“Age is an absolutely legitimate concern,” DeSantis said in an interview with CBS Evening News, emphasizing that the presidency is a role demanding peak performance. “We need an energetic president,” he continued, suggesting that the role may be too strenuous for someone in their eighties.
DeSantis, who at 44 would represent a generational shift if elected, further argued that America’s Founding Fathers would likely have implemented an age cap for high office if they had anticipated the nation’s aging leadership. “I think there’s going to be a lot of Americans that are going to want to see a generational passing of the torch,” he predicted.
However, DeSantis faces an uphill battle even within his own party. Currently trailing Trump, the Republican front-runner, by nearly 40 percentage points according to a national poll average compiled by FiveThirtyEight, his comments may be a tactical move to differentiate himself from the field.
Age has been a contentious subject, not just in partisan circles but also among the American electorate. A recent Wall Street Journal poll revealed that 73% of respondents consider Biden too old to seek reelection, while 47% said the same of Trump, who is just three years Biden’s junior.
Despite these concerns, prominent Democrats have been unwavering in their support for Biden. California Governor Gavin Newsom, often mentioned as having presidential aspirations himself, declared, “The train has left the station. We’re all in.” Likewise, former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, 83, has steadfastly defended Biden and predicts his reelection, age notwithstanding.
As the debate over age and presidential fitness intensifies, DeSantis’ statements will likely provoke further discussion and scrutiny in an already polarized political landscape.
