HOUSTON, US
A day after US President Joe Biden officially announced that he is running for reelection in 2024, the question of whether age should be a factor in his candidacy has drawn mixed reactions from Americans.
While some believe that age should not be a determining factor, others expressed concern over the 80-year-old's ability to handle the presidency due to his age.
"Biden's well within his right to run. He's proven he can do the job, but we are in uncharted territory now regarding his age," said Norb Aikin, 47, of Cortland, New York. "A second term isn't going to be a slam dunk, given his age. But if he ends up going against (76-year-old former President Donald) Trump, it won't be an issue, as both are close enough in age."
Jeff Holbrook, a 54-year-old resident of Maryville, Tennessee, said that despite not being a fan of Biden, he does not believe that age should be a deciding factor, as long as the candidate is qualified for the position
"I don't think Biden is too old, even though I don't like him," said Holbrook. "Age shouldn't matter as long as you're competent in the office you are seeking. (Former US President) Ronald Reagan was old, and he (did well)."
"I would prefer if he wasn't in his 80s, but I don't see any candidates who can match his qualifications," said Katherine Lawless, 32, of Kennesaw, Georgia. "I appreciate having a candidate with experience and I strongly believe age should be revered, not feared."
However, John Warner, 81, of Katy, Texas does not see it that way and told Anadolu that he believes age does make a difference.
"I am now 81 years old, and I know from experience that Biden is too old to run again," said Warner. "I would not vote for either Biden or Trump. The Republicans must come up with someone better than Trump."
Nate Jones, a 45-year-old from Los Angeles, California, said he would have liked Biden not to run for reelection because of his age.
"If he is re-elected, he'll be 82 on Inauguration Day in 2025 and 86 if he finishes a second term," said Jones. "However, I don't believe the Democrats have another qualified candidate who can beat Donald Trump."
More than 60% of Americans said that Biden is too old to run for the 2024 presidency, according to a Reuters-Ipsos poll Tuesday, with 44% of registered Democrats saying the incumbent president should not throw his hat back into the ring.
"There is a high level of concern among many Democrats that Joe Biden isn't up to the task of serving as commander-in-chief and president," said Rice University political scientist Mark Jones. "Many believe he is too old based upon his chronological age and that he's from a different era of political thought."
However, Jones, who spoke to Anadolu in a phone interview, said that while many Democrats would rather not see Biden run again, they also support him because they believe he would likely beat Trump, who is seen at the moment as Biden's likely opponent as the Republican presidential nominee.
"Biden gives Democrats confidence that he will beat Trump versus his successor, Vice President Kamala Harris," said Jones. "While Biden is not a great candidate for Democrats, Kamala Harris would be an even worse candidate. And if they were to choose, Democrats would pick Biden because they believe he has a better chance of beating Trump."
During Biden's Tuesday reelection announcement, he asked Americans to help him achieve that second term in office.
"Every generation has a moment where they have had to stand up for democracy, to stand up for their fundamental freedoms. I believe this is ours," Biden said on Twitter. "That’s why I’m running for reelection as President of the United States. Join us. Let’s finish the job."
Another rematch of 2020 election
Biden officially joined Trump, who was the first person from either party to announce a 2024 presidential run.
The poll indicated that nearly two-thirds of all respondents do not want to see Biden or Trump running again, but for now, the two are seemingly headed for another rematch of the 2020 election.
"Biden will have a chance to diffuse any concerns the public has about his age by getting out on the campaign trail, doing more unscripted interviews and debating Trump," said Jones. "On the other hand, if he opts to stay away from public events and doesn't have those unscripted moments, there will likely be concern that he's not mentally or cognitively fit to be the commander-in-chief."
Despite the fact that Biden and Trump appear to be headed for a collision course, Americans have conflicting feelings about seeing the rematch unfold.
"I think the rematch would be good because if Biden wins again, I think it should erase all those doubts," said Holbrook.
Lawless meanwhile expressed concern about the upcoming election.
"My concern is the election will be as polarizing as the last one,” she said.
"We're not a healed nation now by any means, but having Trump back in focus 24/7 is sure to set us back until the race is decided," said Aikin.
Warner expressed his desire for new candidates and said he does not want a repeat of the same contenders.
"I definitely do not want a rematch with either one of these guys. I want new blood," he said.
At this moment in time, it appears there will be no new blood in the 2024 presidential race, and Jones said that is good news for Biden.
"Both Biden and Trump are realistically too old to be president, which is the same concern as to why most companies don't have CEOs in their 70s and 80s," he said. "But to the extent of which Trump is Biden's opponent, it reduces some of the liabilities to Biden when it comes to age factors because Trump is not that far off."
On Election Day 2024, Trump will be 78 -- the same age Biden was when he was first elected president.
"As you get older, your mental acuity or skill set deteriorates," added Jones. "However, it is not always that way. Some people are in their 90s and still brilliant and some people are in their 60s and have already lost all of their mental faculties."
