OPINION: America’s aging politicians are a serious problem
Danny Murnin is a junior studying journalism and assistant opinion editor for The New Political.
Please note that these views and opinions do not reflect those of The New Political.
Editor’s Note: This article was updated to include the author’s information.
“I’ve spent my last 25 years in public service of one kind or another. At the end of another term, I’d be in my mid-80s. Frankly, it’s time for a new generation of leaders.”
These words were said by Utah Senator Mitt Romney (R) in a pre-recorded video message posted on social media last Wednesday. In that message, Romney announced he will be retiring once his Senate term expires at the beginning of 2025, rather than seek another six year term next year.
As far as the public knows, Romney is in fine physical and mental health, and he certainly looks younger than 76, his actual age. But for once, a prominent politician actually looked at the clock and decided it was time to pack their bags.
It’s the opposite decision of what most prominent elderly politicians have decided to do. 80-year-old President Joe Biden and 77-year-old President Donald Trump are most likely set for a rematch in just under 14 months. And despite being 83 and no longer in Democratic leadership, California Representative Nancy Pelosi, former Speaker of the House, plans to seek re-election in 2024.
While she opted not to seek re-election in 2024, California Senator Dianne Feinstein (D) refuses to resign from the Senate despite having visible health issues that have been the subject of stories dating back to 2020. She is 90.
Most recently, speculation has swirled around the future of Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R), who is 81. McConnell completely froze mid-sentence on July 26 and then again on August 30. These two incidents follow McConnell having to miss six weeks of work in the spring after suffering a concussion and rib injury as a result of one of several falls he has had this year. McConnell isn’t up for re-election until just over three years from now.
While McConnell and Feinstein have dwarfed media attention on the issue of age in the Senate, it is worth noting they are just two of 12 Senators older than the retiring Romney. In the House of Representatives, 14 members are 80 or older while 27 more are between the ages of 75 and 79. While I like many of the people that fall into this category, there is no shame in wanting them to step aside for younger leaders.
The same request I have for them I unfortunately have for President Joe Biden, a man I have great admiration for who has greatly exceeded my tempered expectations of him as President. While much of the ‘evidence’ out there that proves the President is in “mental decline” is deceptive or fabricated (see here, here, and here), it doesn’t take a genius to figure out that the country would probably be better off with a younger person in the Oval Office, and most voters feel the same. According to a recent CBS News/YouGov poll, just 34% of voters think Biden would finish a second term. While I plan on proudly voting for President Biden next November at the moment, wouldn’t it be better if he stepped aside to let someone from a deep bench of charismatic, young, popular, electorally successful Democrats take the reins?
Biden shouldn’t be alone in this, however. It is extremely hypocritical for Republicans to make jokes and theorize about Biden’s mental capacity when Trump, just three years younger, doesn’t seem to be in great shape either. If Biden is too old to be President, then Trump is too old as well.
Leaders in the Democratic Party and the Republican Party need to have conversations with Biden and Trump respectively and let them know it is time to go. McConnell and Feinstein should resign from their positions with grace and spend time with their families. I hope that many of the dozens of members of Congress above the age of 75 choose not to seek re-election whenever they are up next.
The reality of the situation is that all of these politicians are just too old. America is being governed by a gerontocracy, and while voters may rail against it, they vote for the same politicians over and over again. Our best hope, while probably not realistic, is that these politicians have a moment of truth about their capacity to effectively serve in such important positions, and then follow Romney’s lead.
