Former President Jimmy Carter said Tuesday that he couldn’t have “undertaken” the responsibilities of the Oval Office at age 80.
This is a companion discussion topic for the original entry at https://talkingpointsmemo.com/?p=1249164
This is a companion discussion topic for the original entry at https://talkingpointsmemo.com/?p=1249164
That’s a pretty serious burn to both Biden and Sanders, and probably the truth.
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Carter said he hadn’t decided on a favorite 2020 candidate yet, though he’ll definitely vote for whichever Democrat gets the endorsement in the general election.
You and me both, Mr. President.
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Water borne rabbits definitely find 80 year old men less threatening than 50 year old men.
Warren would be damned near 80 at the end of a second term.
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Warren joined the 70s show in June.
But I’d still vote for Carter over any Republican now.
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Carter would be more competent than any Republican now, especially the Orange blot on western civilization
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Jaysus Christ Jimmy, do you want Trump to win again? Not helpful to our top 3 candidates at all. YIKES!
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Some men in their mid-nineties provide excellent advice.
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“The things I faced in foreign affairs, I don’t think I could undertake them at 80 years old. At 95, it’s out of the question. I’m having a hard time walking.”
Yet you are still hand and and fist over the current occupant.
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I am big on anti-ageism, but the man is right. People wear out. He’s also the first man I ever voted for - not ashamed of that at all. Best post-POTUS run ever.
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This would be great if Twitter weren’t around to open up the obvious counter-burn so quickly.
The problem with Jimmy Carter is that he has always opperated from his own head, beliefs. This is both good (he has leaved an exemplary life doing good since he was voted out), and bad (he let his personal distaste for conflict let the Iranians walk all over the US, which simply elected Reagan, and handelled major national problems like inflation and cut offs to the energy supply, like opportunities to be preachy to people).
The Truth is that people who are older are not USUALLY appropriate for an office like the president because their brains are simply not plastic enough. Too much need to be flexible and willing to adjust to massive information. Trump is a classic case (made worse by narcissism) he can’t get outside of views and patterns he established early in his lfe, and they are doing massive damage to the Country. Trump just can’t adjust his views or approach when it is not working.
I see Bernie being exactly the same as Trump. Every single issue is solved with socialism. Its all an attack on corporate power. This is why he does so poorly with middle class people and minorities, its all about class and owners vs workers, a diacodomy that in Bernie’s (77 year old) mind explains it all. Sort of like being “ripped off” and “burning more coal” and “deregulation” fixes everything in Trump’s mind.
I also think that Biden is too old. But I also see that he has been able to moderate and change his views over time. He is more plastic. What Biden believed in in the 80s and 90s is not what he believes in today.
I also think that Biden is the best candidate - at this point - unless someone who is not a socialist and/or is easily charactured as a harpy, and who underperformed her state by 10 points (nearly all in blue collar areas) comes forward to be able to take the nomination.
And Back to Jimmy, his comments, made thinking only of himself, will simply be used against Biden.
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At end of second term is a helluva lot different than middle of first term.
Look, we saw with Reagan, and definitely with Trump that the job of POTUS just can’t be handled by people at that age. It’s the most demanding job in the world. That’s not a dig against Joe or Bernie, just the facts. Everyone wants pro-athletes to retire before they can’t handle their role. No different with Bernie and Joe.
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At the end of a second year term, she would not be president any longer. So, your point?
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Right on target. I would add that Carter’s Iranian mess was Carter’s: It was when Carter caved to David Rockefeller and let the Shah into NYC for cancer treatment that the US Embassy hostages were taken. Recall also Carter’s nauseating speech in Iran years earlier, praising the Shah’s human rights record.
“80” is Carter’s rough age estimate of diminished ability to perform well as a U.S. President, for whatever that opinion is worth. But people age differently, take care of themselves differently, have different genes and immunities and general well being, mentally and physically. Assuming we can speculate Carter’s age danger zone is moderately flexible, my point is if we take him seriously Warren’s fitness for office is at least a subject for discussion, so far as her projected abilities in the last couple years of a second term.
Personally I think Carter is mistaken, we should judge people individually. I’ve known 80 year old people I’d entrust with any responsibility, including the energy and endurance aspects of doing it long term. Similarly I’ve know 55 year old people I wouldn’t trust to take my dog for a walk and get it back home alive and well.
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I gladly voted for Carter. However, he was just too nice a guy for the times. The GOP tore him up. This is how I feel about Biden, he is too nice a guy and the current, nothing is not allowed to defeat or disgrace your opponent, will destroy him and make totally inefficient as he tries to play nice.
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Thank you President Carter for saying what needs to be said. No one can accuse him of not having experience with aging and the presidency. It’s not ageism. It’s just the reality that we are mortal. Warren is pushing it but is obviously still very vigorous. Sanders and Biden need a glass of lemonade and a front porch to reflect on a life well lived.
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Exactly.
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