Will the president's age be a factor in the 2024 election?
by Charles RayFormer U.S. Ambassador and Chair of the Africa Program at the Foreign Policy Research Institute, and Danny Oni, Graduated from George Mason University
The issue of presidential age is misleading
by Charles Ray – former U.S. Ambassador and Chair of the Africa Program at the Foreign Policy Research Institute
As the 2024 election cycle progresses, we must prepare for more to become campaign issues. One of the hottest issues in the news this election cycle isResidency Age. The idea that there is an age at which an individual becomes ineligible to run for certain political office is almost an article of faith in some circles.
Some say Joe Biden, who turns 82 on November 20, is too old to serve as president. ABC/Ipsos PollPolls show that 59 percent of Americans believe that both Joe Biden and Donald Trump are too old to serve another term as president. I don't think so.
Growing older is a fact of life
As a mentally and physically active person who will turn 79 in November, I believe that age should not be a factor in a presidential election. Aging is a fact of life. Some people experience physical and mental decline as they age, while others do not. Therefore, factors other than age must be considered when determining an individual's fitness for office.
There's a saying that “50 is the new 40,” which means that older people are now able to do things that were once only available to younger people. Advances in medicine have allowed many of us to do things that would have been unthinkable 20 years ago. In 1910, The average life expectancy for an American man was 48 years. By 2010By the year 2000, life expectancy had risen to 76 years. We are, with exceptions, living longer, healthier lives.
Brain aging isn't inherently bad
Age affects us both physically and mentally, but not always in the ways you might think. Harvard Medical School Article“There is no time in life when the brain and its functions are stable. Some cognitive functions may weaken with age, while others may actually improve.” As we age, changes in the brain can affect our ability to encode new information and retrieve old information. But aging also strengthens connections between distant regions in the brain, improving our ability to detect relationships between different sources of information, see the big picture, and understand the global impact of an issue. In other words, as we age, we improve our ability to see the whole forest without being distracted by the trees.
And how old is too old? I am approaching 79, well past the normal retirement age, but I am neither physically nor mentally ready to retire. Should I be forced to resign simply because of a number? My students and readers would probably disagree. There are many factors to consider when voting in November, and age should not be one of them.
The age of presidential candidates should be taken into consideration
by Danny Oni – Graduated from George Mason University
Ambassador Ray, who is about to turn 79, has experience and ability that makes a compelling argument that age should not be a barrier to holding public office. While his views are noteworthy, I believe that age should be considered when determining the eligibility of candidates for public office, not because older people are less capable than younger people, but rather to ensure that new generations have the opportunity to hold key positions while older people lead.
Ambassador Ray's work is impressive in that it shows that some people are able to maintain high functioning into advanced years, but this is not true for everyone. Aging is not a uniform process. Everyone ages and develops differently. It is difficult to generalize when assessing skills and talents, especially for a demanding position like the Presidency, because of the different effects aging has on individuals.
We need to give the younger generation a chance
Government positions serve as a forum for innovation and change. Younger people have new insights and ideas, and are better aware of changing needs and technological developments. By mentoring and preparing younger people, experienced politicians can ensure continued leadership and a more seamless transfer of knowledge from one generation to the next. Mentoring younger people addresses policymakers' concerns about the possibility of death in office, which can cause problems with continuity and governance.
Moreover, holding an important political position such as the presidency Take a toll on your healthPresidents and other high-ranking leaders are known to age faster than the general population due to the stresses associated with their positions. Selecting older candidates for the positions could hasten these effects and impact the candidate's ability to function adequately during their term in office.
The president's age should be considered part of the bigger picture
Age itself is not a reliable indicator of health, The effects of aging are real There's no denying that. While assessing a candidate's capabilities and experience is important, the bigger picture of age-related decline is also important and needs to be taken into account. It is age discrimination to automatically assume that older people are less capable or in poor health. However, it is important to adopt a balanced strategy that takes into account both intergenerational knowledge transfer and individual health.
Ultimately, there is a strong argument that the president's age should not be the sole determining factor, as Ambassador Wray disagrees, but that it should be taken into account in a broader context. In doing so, a compromise might be found between rewarding the knowledge and expertise of older candidates and giving younger candidates the opportunity to influence the course of society.
The president's age is not the deciding factor
by Charles Ray – former U.S. Ambassador and Chair of the Africa Program at the Foreign Policy Research Institute
Oni-san makes a valid point about empowering younger generations to assume leadership roles. While we disagree at all on many points, there are a few points I need to address to make my original premise clearer: age alone should not be the determining factor for suitability for elected office, even the highest office in the country.
Everything Oni said about aging is correct and should definitely be taken into account when voting for president or any other office. However, we must remember that there are no absolute guarantees. Everyone responds differently to stimuli, including aging. The same can be said about stress. It has been observed that stress has the same negative effects on young and older people. In fact, older people often have more experience dealing with stress, so The impact may be small.
The Constitution guarantees continuity
As for continuity of office, that's important. There's no disputing that. But it's a factor that requires attention regardless of the age of the incumbent, and that's why government agencies have succession plans. With regard to the presidency, succession plans are Enshrined in the United States ConstitutionIf a head of state dies in office, as happened when John F. Kennedy was assassinated or when Ronald Reagan was hospitalized after an assassination attempt, the government continues to function as it should.
The ultimate criterion for any position is whether or not a person can do the job, and that decision should be based on observable criteria. Age should not be one of those criteria unless there are indications of age-related impairments.
Consider the president's age among other factors
by Danny Oni – Graduated from George Mason University
Ambassador Wray and I have different views, but we have a lot in common. We believe that a candidate's age alone should not bar them from holding public office; their actual qualifications should also be considered. We also agree that succession planning plays an important role in maintaining continuity in government and providing the next generation with an opportunity to lead.
Prioritizing mentoring and knowledge transfer from experienced politicians to younger, emerging leaders will foster a political environment that values both intellect and creativity. Preparing the next generation for leadership roles and leveraging the knowledge of experienced leaders will create a more resilient and dynamic political environment.
A multigenerational leadership approach helps us address people’s different demands and perspectives. Younger leaders are essential to our growth because they often offer novel concepts and original answers to contemporary problems like climate change and technology challenges. But more experienced executives can guide these efforts with insightful historical analysis and strategic thinking. This combination of perspectives allows for more inclusive and balanced policy choices.
Mentoring and diversity programs strengthen democracy
Ultimately, creating an environment where both inexperienced and experienced leaders can thrive requires structural adjustments to current methods of political mentorship and succession planning. Intergenerational knowledge and skill sharing can be fostered through formal mentoring programs established within government agencies and political parties. Promoting legislation that supports age, gender, and background diversity in political positions can also strengthen democratic processes and ensure that leadership represents the diverse makeup of the community.
This constructive dialogue demonstrates that different perspectives can coexist and even reinforce each other, resulting in more inclusive and stronger decision-making processes. As the 2024 election cycle approaches, voters should consider a candidate's overall suitability, rather than just age, as a deciding factor to ensure they elect leaders who are not only capable of meeting the demands of the job, but also committed to setting an example for future generations.
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Charles Ray
Charles Ray retired from the U.S. Foreign Service in 2012 after a 30-year career. Prior to joining the U.S. Foreign Service, he served in the U.S. Army for 20 years. During his 30 years as a Foreign Service officer, he was deployed to China, Thailand, Sierra Leone, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Zimbabwe. He served as Deputy Chief of Mission in Sierra Leone, the first U.S. Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, and Ambassador to Cambodia and Zimbabwe. Since retiring from public service in 2012, he has worked as a full-time freelance writer, lecturer, and consultant, and conducts research on leadership and ethics. He is the author of over 200 books of fiction and non-fiction. Ray serves as the director and chair of the Africa Program at the Foreign Policy Research Institute.
Danny Oni
Graduated from George Mason University
Danny Oni is a native of Prince George's County, Maryland. He is a recent graduate of George Mason University with a BA in English and an MA in Criminal Justice. Danny is passionate about politics, social activism and human rights. He hopes to pursue a legal career with the hopes of serving his community in politics as a judge and then as a State Senator.
