Simple question about Bernie's age

[sadoldgirl]

Yes, don't give me the usual ageism discrimination.
I have heard and read it all.
It does seem to matter to the older folks a lot and
they know their own weaknesses.
Sure, I wished Bernie would be 50 years old, but it
is not so.Many remember Reagan and his health problems.
I try to look at Bernie's passion and engagement, and tell
them about it, as well as HRC's age as well.
Still, it does not seem to come across very well.

Anybody with good advice?

[Terra Alta]

1. Bernie's age doesn't bother me

Unlike Reagan, Bernie's mind is still sharp and his health is in great condition. He will obviously have to pick a young running mate, but there are lots of good choices out there.

Bernie seems to have a lot of energy and isn't about to let anything slow him down.

[sadoldgirl]

2. It does not bother me either, but

it seems to bother a lot of older people, yet not
the younger generation. It is kind of weird.

[SamKnause]

3. Bernie's age is of no concern to me.

Those who have announced running for the Republican side

are all running on the Christian Religion agenda.

I don't trust Hillary.

I think she represents the needs of the elites and MIC.

Bernie is consistent to a fault.

I don't think he would stay in office if he were diagnosed

with dementia.

He is an honorable man.

He is a man of integrity.

He cares about the people in the U.S.

He cares about this country.

Is case of a tragedy, Bernie's choice of VP would be more

than capable of stepping in.

[totodeinhere]

4. I think that as they get to know Bernie better their reservations will go away. n/t

[virgogal]

5. I think he'd be 75 when sworn in. Too old,and I'm older that he is. Things change.

[PADemD]

12. Take a look at your local obituary pages.

People of all ages die. There is no guarantee that a younger person will not become seriously ill.

[virgogal]

18. I wasn't referring to dying or getting seriously ill.

The elderly slow down and taking on the presidency would be difficulty for anyone.

That's why elderly runners in excellent physical condition don't compete with younger people. They can't.

[sabrina 1]

6. I am very glad to have an older, wiser person running for the WH. Reagan never made

sense, the man was a moron when he was forty.

I don't get this notion that all older people are the same, or can, or should be compared to each other.

I knew someone who was 100 years old, and that man was still mowing his lawn, and shoveling snow.

Not to mention he had his sign in his yard during the presidential election and was more interesting to talk to, had more knowledge and passion than many of the people I know who were half his age.

Bernie has the mind of a 30 year old. Age is only a factor for shallow people.

Elderly people, like everyone else are all different.

I have no problem with Hillary's age either. My problem is with her policies.

[winter is coming]

7. For many, I think it's an excuse rather than a reason.

JFK was our youngest president ever, and didn't last one term. W was middle-aged, and had shit for brains. Absent a strong familial history of dementia, I don't care about Bernie's age. I've known too many people in their 80s who were still whip-smart.

No matter whom we elect, we should pay attention to who's Vice President. I know I certainly was thinking of that with Obama, because the assassination threat is greater for him.

[MissDeeds]

8. It's a fair question

but debilitating illnesses can occur at anytime, Alzheimer's can strike in the fifties, and a high school acquaintance of mine died of cancer at eighteen. We just don't know.

I saw a wonderful PBS program the other day called "Over 90 and Loving It" that showed elderly people living incredibly full, robust lives that would be the envy of people many years younger. Age is understandingly a concern, but I'm not sure a candidate in his/her seventies should be excluded on the basis of age. Youth is no guarantee of fitness - like Christie, should he decide to run.

And don't presidential candidates have to disclose findings of their most recent physicals? That seems to ring a bell...

Edit to add: I believe Bernie is a man of integrity who would not run if he had any concerns about his ability to adequately fulfill his term/s.

[marym625]

9. Look at Betty White

93 years old, memorizes lines for a show every week, still gets around fine, while working on other projects.

Age makes no difference. As long as the person is in good health. That's what makes a difference. And things like alzheimers and other forms of dementia usually would have started showing signs already.

All but one of my grandparents lived in to their 90s. My maternal grandmother lived until 97 and only had problems with her mind right before she died. And that was due to 4th stage lymphoma. All 3 of them would have been better Presidents than Reagan, any of the Republicans running now and, my one grandmother, the one that lived to 97, better than Hillary.

[mmonk]

10. Older is always better than wrong 100% of the time.

Maybe it takes wisdom that comes with age to realize it.

[FBaggins]

11. His age does concern me

Not because I think it will impact his ability to do the job, but because it would cost him votes.

But I have the same concern about Hillary

[drray23]

13. It is not a major concern for me

Bernie has a sharp mind. He gets to use it every day. This is often why scientists, writers, poets, politicians, have a long career span and can function perfectly well at an advanced age. It has been shown that if you are active intellectually, you reduce the odds of a debilitating disease like dementia.

There are genetics too. His brother is 79 year old and still very sharp as well. He was running for a seat in the UK for the green party. He did not get reelected.

What will be critical if he does get the nomination is his choice of VP, hopefully younger. I trust Sanders to step down if he felt that he could not do the job adequately anymore. Until there, its no concern of mine.

[Orsino]

14. Consider how long he's been resisting the dominance of corporate money...

...and what that says about him.

[L0oniX]

15. He's been fighting the sociopaths for a long time and he is good at it...

and it would be a shame to not have his wisdom serve our country in this last struggle to keep our Democracy from being completely owned by the 1%. People live much longer these days. I would say that a VP pick is very important just in case.

[TBF]

16. What age do you think is ideal?

And then tell me whether at that age people are killed in car accidents? Oh, they are? Really.

Look, he can pick Julian Castro (age 40, awesome dem) to be his VP and then this silly argument is over.

[JDPriestly]

17. Depends on the person. We will have to see during the primary period.

Hillary is not that much younger than Bernie.

My mother was 97 when she was asked to serve on the Homeowners' board where she lived because she was "the most intelligent person" in the place. Still full of energy and loved by everyone.

Knowing right from wrong is ageless, and Bernie knows right from wrong. He knows it better than he probably did ten years ago, but he seems to have known the difference long before some of the other potential candidates did.

Obama is very young for a president.

John F. Kennedy was very, very young for a president, but he could not serve out his term.

Bernie's quick wit suggests he is mentally very healthy. Those who work with him will know. Judge for yourself.

Some people are old and sleeping at their desks in their late 50s. Some age more slowly. Bernie is quite capable. We shall see how much stamina he has in the primaries. That will also be a test for the other candidates, especially Hillary.

[enigmatic]

19. Hillary Clinton would be 69 I believe at inauguration

And 77 if she serves out her term if elected.

If people want to go there (and I don't care either way) then they both have problems in that respect.

[BrotherIvan]

20. Bernie's brother is 80 and ran for election in UK

Bernie has strong genes. Plus, I'd like someone with experience this time who will actually try to accomplish their campaign promises.