Editor's note: The following article originally appeared on Divided We Fall, featuring a discussion of how age should be factored into presidential elections. It also includes perspectives from Ambassador Charles Ray and George Mason University alumnus Danny Oni. This article is published with permission from Divided We Fall.
Photo by David Everett Strickler on Unsplash
The age of presidential candidates should be taken into consideration
By Danny Oni – George Mason University Graduate
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 still 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 societal 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 continuity and governance problems.
Additionally, serving in an important political position such as the presidency can take a toll on one's health. Presidents and other high-ranking leaders are known to age faster than the general population due to the stresses associated with the position. Selecting an older candidate for the position could hasten these effects and affect the candidate's ability to function well during their term.
The president's age should be considered part of the bigger picture
Even if age itself is an unreliable indicator of health, the effects of ageing are an undeniable reality. While it is important to assess a candidate's capabilities and experience, the bigger picture of age-related decline is also important and must be considered. It is ageism to automatically assume that older people are necessarily less competent. However, it is important to consider both the need for intergenerational knowledge transfer and the candidate's physical and mental health.
Ultimately, Wray argues that a president's age should not be the only determining factor, but there is a strong argument to be made that it should be considered in a broader context, which might strike a compromise 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 the aging process is correct and should certainly 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 my observation that stress can have just as detrimental effects on young people as it does on older people. In fact, it may affect older people less because they often have more experience dealing with stress.
The Constitution guarantees continuity
As for continuity of power, yes, it matters. No one disagrees. But again, this is a factor worth noting regardless of the age of the incumbent, and that’s why government agencies have succession plans. For the presidency, succession planning is enshrined in the U.S. Constitution. Even if the head of state dies in office, like 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 – George Mason University Graduate
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 from experienced politicians to younger, emerging leaders fosters a political environment that values both intellect and creativity. Preparing the next generation for leadership roles and leveraging the knowledge of experienced leaders creates 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 technological change. 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, structural adjustments to the way we currently conduct electoral politics are needed to create an environment in which both inexperienced and experienced leaders can thrive. 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 the democratic process and ensure that our leadership represents the diverse makeup of our communities.
This constructive dialogue demonstrates how different perspectives can coexist and even reinforce each other, creating a more inclusive and stronger decision-making process. As the 2024 election cycle approaches, voters should focus on a candidate's fitness for office, not just their age, as a determining factor. Doing so will 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.
About the Author
Charles Ray David 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 diplomat, 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, consultant, and researcher on leadership and ethics. He is the author of over 200 books of fiction and non-fiction. He is the director and chair of the Africa Program at the Foreign Policy Research Institute.
Danny Oni Danni is a native of Prince George's County, Maryland. She is a recent graduate of George Mason University with a BA in English and an MA in Criminal Justice. Danni is passionate about politics, social activism, and human rights. She hopes to serve her community in politics as a judge and state senator, and plans to pursue a career in law.
