US election 2020: Why age matters for Donald Trump and Joe Biden
The age and mental sharpness of the two presidential candidates has emerged as a major issue in the lead-up to the US election. Here’s what’s at stake.
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The age and mental acuity of the two presidential candidates has emerged as a major issue in the lead-up to the US election.
Both Donald Trump and Joe Biden are well into their 70s, with many observers believing Mr Biden will probably not even seek a second term in 2024 – at the age of 81.
Here is how the age of a president factors into the 2020 election.
WHO WAS THE OLDEST PERSON TO TAKE OFFICE IN THE US?
At the age of 70 years and 220 days, Donald Trump was the oldest man to ever take office in the White House.
Even older than Ronald Reagan, who was by comparison a sprightly 69 when he was first inaugurated into office.
WHO IS OLDER: MR TRUMP OR JOE BIDEN?
Joe Biden would be the Methuselah (he was 969 years old in the Bible) of D.C. if he managed to win the 2020 election.
He would be a record-smashing 78 years and 61 days old. He first entered national politics way back in 1972 when he won a seat in the Senate – that is just shy of 50 years ago.
It’s interesting to note that age-ism is a far rarer occurrence in the USA compared to Australia where younger tends to be shinier and more in demand.
The most powerful Democrat is Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the House of Representatives. She is 80. The strongest contender to knock Joe Biden out of the race to become Democratic candidate was Bernie Sanders.
Sanders would have been 79 upon taking office.
IS THERE AN AGE LIMIT ON RUNNING FOR PRESIDENT?
No. And yes.
There is no upper age limit on becoming the chief tenant of the White House. Hence there is no age barrier to Mr Biden becoming President at 78 – or someone even older taking the top job at an even more mature age in 2024.
Quite bizarrely, though, there is a lower age limit: You can’t assume the top job until you are 35.
An advertisement for Captain Morgan rum a few years back pointed out that “under 35s can do anything: Except be President.”
It’s true – in the States, you can get your driver’s licence at 16, enlist to fight in a war at 17 and drink at 21.
But the Constitution has stated clearly for more than 230 years that no one is allowed to assume the office of President before the age of 35.
John F. Kennedy was the youngest elected president at the age of 43.
WHAT HAPPENS IF THE PRESIDENT CAN’T FINISH THEIR TERM?
So given the advanced age of the contenders, a fair question often whispered in the US is this: What happens if they “don’t make it” through until 2024? And if they do, will they run again?
In the case of Mr Trump, the answer is simple. If he wins i and could not finish his term, the Constitution automatically hands the keys to the White House to the Vice President to see out the period until the next election in November 2024. That would be Mike Pence
If Mr Biden wins but can’t complete his term, it’s the same deal, to use his favourite phrase – the keys would be passed to his Vice President Kamala Harris.
CAN TRUMP AND BIDEN RUN AGAIN IN 2024?
If Mr Trump wins and then sees out his second term, he would not be allowed to stand again in 2024. The Constitution tells us this.
The 22nd Amendment limiting a person to two terms as President was enacted after Franklin D. Roosevelt (Democrat) was elected to a fourth term back in 1944, although he died in office soon after.
Once Mr Trump left office in 2024, it will be an open field to become the Republican candidate.
In the case of Mr Biden, there is strong speculation that he would only serve one term if he wins the election. He would be contesting the 2024 election at the age of 81 and an army of young candidates would be knocking on the door.
It is expected he would serve one term and more than likely stand down and endorse his Vice President, although once he retires, it’s an open race again for the Democratic nomination.
There was a field of some 20 candidates in 2020. It’s likely to be that and more again in 2020.
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