Truly the biggest clunker for the Democrats right now is ageism

[Peacetrain]

Last edited Tue Nov 26, 2019, 01:21 PM - Edit history (1)

and it not only is hurting my choice, VP Biden, and Bernie Sanders.. but it is starting to take a toll on Elizabeth Warren. And it is getting pushed hard by the trolls on the right from Russia to the RNC.. and who are those toads supporting? One Donald Trump..


uff dah

I am adding this from G_J in General Discussion..this is really frightening on how good the trolls have gotten, and how good they are at hiding and getting our info.. This

https://www.democraticunderground.com/100212730812#post16

[TidalWave46]

1. I'm not a troll on the right.

I wouldn't even consider voting for someone in their eighties just coming off of a heart attack. Not a chance. Ever. I personally find those stating they will do so to be completely irresponsible.

As for the other two you mention, they seem to be holding their own. I think a conversation about their age is perfectly fine. They are also two of the top candidates on my list.

Call me ageist for taking a serious matter into consideration when deciding who I'm going to vote for. Really doesn't bother me. Same with the insinuation of something about Russia or anything else.

Trump is old as well. I hope he maintains his healthy diet and low stress. <- I don't support him, Russian interference, or the RNC. They also don't shape my opinion.

[Peacetrain]

2. Truthfully TidalWave.. the trolls are

so much better this time. They are not so overt. They have a way of giving a gentle push down the slippery slope and you do not even realize where it is coming from. If you participate in political chat over more than one venue, take it to the bank, you have been talking to trolls.

[TidalWave46]

5. I am not concerned if I have been in communication with trolls.

They won't make Biden or Warren any younger or older and can't change the fact that Sanders has had a heart attack.

Taking age into account when we are talking about the Presidency is a part of responsible decision making.

[DownriverDem]

15. Not to me

I want someone who knows what they are doing and has experience. I want them to be soothingly sane too.

[TidalWave46]

17. This is kind of funny.

"I want someone who knows what they are doing and has experience. I want them to be soothingly sane too."

We seem to want the same thing. I just don't see how you can get there without paying attention to age and health. The two should never be omitted in something like this, IMO.

[NurseJackie]

3. Health and stamina are bigger consideration for me than age.

Health and stamina are bigger consideration for me than age. If a candidate is having fainting spells (or dizzy spells possibly due to afib), and atherosclerosis (coronary artery disease or "hardening" or "clogged arteries'') serious enough to require stents to be put in, and a myocardial infarction (or "heart attack'') that sends a candidate to the hospital and results in doctors telling the candidate to "take it easy" during the campaign and cut-back on activities and appearances... well, that's going to be a VERY BIG WARNING SIGN and SHOWSTOPPER for me!

Everyone knows that being the POTUS is even MORE demanding and MORE exhausting and MORE stressful and MORE active than simply campaigning. If a candidate can't endure the challenges and rigors of campaigning, then that candidate (no matter who he or she may be) would not do very well as POTUS.

For me, something like that completely disqualifies the candidate.

All I'm trying to say is that I can't ever see myself supporting someone who wouldn't be able to serve effectively because of their bad health or being weak and frail... or who might die in office, or who might need to resign early because of health issues.

[TidalWave46]

7. Well said. Thanks. NT

[R B Garr]

11. Perfectly stated! Thank you NJ

There’s a term, “I’m as serious as a heart attack” for a reason. Heart attacks are deadly serious.

He needs to move on.

[earthside]

10. Nor am I a Russian troll.

The race for the presidential nomination is a battle of the septuagenarians?

The youthful, energetic party of Jack Kennedy, Bill Clinton, and Barack Obama is now slouching towards an old folks home?

Everyone ages differently, but aging is a fact of life.
Denying old age doesn't make it go away.
Charging others with "ageism" doesn't make an older person younger.
I especially see in Joe Biden the effects of advanced age, I think in Biden's case it is a disqualifier.

I am entitled to my opinion and just because I take the age issue seriously does not mean I am a 'troll'.

[TidalWave46]

12. Well said. NT

[mylightningtoo]

18. I agree with you. Age is a factor; it's not

often in everyday life that I seek out a 77 year old to assist me with anything. I am not a troll; Back to DU after a long absence.

[redqueen]

4. Seeing increasing talk about this.

Mostly directed at Biden. Unsurprisingly, since he's in the lead.

[dsc]

6. It is fair to have age as one factor

For those in the high end and for those on the low end. It is perfectly reasonable to consider Pete's age of 37 and Sanders and Biden at 78. But one factor not the be all and end all. Both Sanders and Biden strike me as healthier than Trump and vastly more mentally with it. Pete is way more mature and thoughtful than many, many 50 year olds. Honestly, Sanders is in my bottom tier for his policies and his mindset. Biden and Pete are higher for the same reason.

[NurseJackie]

9. That's completely reasonable and logical.

Honestly, Sanders is in my bottom tier for his policies and his mindset. Biden and Pete are higher for the same reason.

That's completely reasonable and logical. Many people (fortunately) share your opinion.

[Arthur_Frain]

8. You don't have to be old to be wise

Pardon for getting my Judas Priest quote out of the way first.

All of the replies here so far have to do with health. What about the idea that some folks may finally be asking if somebody in their 70’s is in touch and culturally resilient enough to respond to where America needs to go? Because the direction we’ve been headed for a long time now? Not really going to work for us. Part of the anger the younger generation has is with the attitude that Biden gaffes in the debate show, that “I’ve worked with segregationists...”, (the end result being that nothing changes). And looking around at what’s going to happen with the climate in the next fifty years, that “we’ll work on it while things currently go on as usual and consider it progress” is flat out going to kill the folks under 30.

Lots, and I mean LOTS of the question about Biden, Warren, and Sanders is just that. Sooner or later, we are going to need a transitional government that hands power over to a not boomer. That’s the optic anyway.

[pattyloutwo]

13. I don't think so

I think the ages and health of Biden and Sanders are the issue, not ageism. Sanders is showing it physically, and Biden is showing it mentally. The presidency is for a four year term. I really respect both of them, but I don’t think either is an appropriate choice.

[DownriverDem]

16. What about Warren?

Check her age. See age is not the major issue for me.

[LAS14]

20. I agree totally. It's ridiculous to eliminate the slow downs...

... that go with aging as a point of discussion. Just as it's also ridiculous to eliminate a person as a candidate just because of their number of years, regardless of their physical and mental stamina (Warren).

[The Mouth]

14. Ageists are just as bad as racists, sexists, and homophobes

Screw them.
With a cattle prod.

It's just a number.

Joe ain't currently my guy, but it sure as HELL isn't because of his age.

I'd have no problem seeing anyone questioning the effect of Joe's, or Bernie's age on their electability or ability to function getting the same shaming, attack and tombstoning as anyone dropping the N-word or joking about beating their woman.

[Peacetrain]

19. Kicking back up for added link in original op

[Hortensis]

21. Except that's not that much of a clunker, and we know it because

Biden's still be far out front, and the two closest trailers are also aged.

Those vulnerable are our weakest and least committed to enlightened democratic principles, of course, and if this lost priority on their hit lists, something else would be moved up. Many things work regretfully well on those young people who haven't started voting yet and want excuses not to; we know some never will because there are plenty of duds Biden's and Warren's age who never have.

Thanks for the link to G_J's article. It's a good one. Of course, as you say, our enemies, domestic and foreign, are hitting it hard.

[Joe941]

22. Yup. I've been saying this for years.

Using age against someone is call ageism and it is rampant in this election cycle.

[Act_of_Reparation]

23. Boomers crying about "ageism"...

...are this decade's version of white men crying about "reverse racism".

Terms like "racism" and "sexism" describe systemic inequality by which a powerful group enjoys social, economic, or legal privileges not afforded to outgroups. You can't be "ageist" against a vice president or a sitting senator. You can't be ageist against a group of people occupying the lion's share of high-ranking economic and political positions in this country.

But whatever. I'm obviously full of shit. Go ahead and accuse me of being Russian now.

[jcgoldie]

24. well said

[Peacetrain]

25. Well What you are full of.. you said.. I didn't

That is not a good way to start or end a debate. But if you do not want to believe that trolls are working on people online.. well nothing I can say is going to change your opinion. And as a woman who is older.. financial means does not protect anyone from a sexist, racist, ageist point of view. People who want to dismiss another abilities or opinions as less than because of sex, race, age culture is not so narrowly defined by just financial means..

[Act_of_Reparation]

30. Did you not read what I wrote?

Or did you not understand it?

One of these I can work with. The other... well, not so much.

[beachbumbob]

26. I'll take age and guile over youthful vigor any day.

Takes years to gain wisdom.

[stopbush]

27. I'm 65, and I have experienced ageism in the job market.

That said, I prefer a younger candidate, and the Ds have plenty of solid, younger candidates.

And I’ll support whoever gets the nimination.

[Joinfortmill]

28. That's ironic

Considering they'll likely be running against Trump.

[evertonfc]

29. I was hoping

for a young candidate to provide generational contrast to Trump. The optics would be staggering. Going to take a much younger VP to balance the ticket the youth may check out. I think our party missed the boat this cycle to be honest. It has nothing to do with agism and everything to do with electoral politics. Our last two winners were under 52.