President Seeks Reelection at 80, Facing Scrutiny Over Age
As President Joe Biden embarks on his historic reelection campaign at the age of 80, comments he made decades ago about the age of a political opponent are resurfacing. Biden, who became the oldest president in U.S. history when he took office in 2021, is now seeking a second term that could again set a record for age.
A recent investigation by CNN’s KFile unit highlighted Biden’s past comments during his successful 1972 campaign against then-Senator Cale Boggs, who was 63 at the time. Biden suggested that Boggs had lost his vitality, stating, “Cale doesn’t want to run, he’s lost that old twinkle in his eye he used to have.” His campaign ads also emphasized Boggs’ perceived disconnect due to his age, contrasting their understanding of contemporary issues.
Critics have frequently questioned Biden’s mental fitness for office, a narrative that gained traction during his 2020 campaign and continues as he prepares for 2024. GOP primary candidate Nikki Haley has called for cognitive tests for presidential candidates over a certain age, reflecting ongoing concerns about the capabilities of senior politicians.
Other aging politicians, such as California Senator Dianne Feinstein, have faced similar scrutiny regarding their fitness for office, particularly following health-related absences.
Biden has dismissed the criticisms, urging skeptics to observe his campaigning efforts. His return to in-person campaigning is seen as a shift from the restrictions imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic during the last election cycle.
A White House spokesperson did not address the contradictions in Biden’s stance on age but emphasized the “historic progress” made by the Biden administration, citing achievements in climate change, police reform, and healthcare access as reasons for his eagerness to seek a second term.
