What does age have to do with it?

Marcia Meloli
| Community columnist

I am frustrated by the inadequate discussion about President Biden’s age as we approach the general presidential election. Often I hear people just say he’s too old, without addressing how his age may or may not have affected his job performance, how old his opponent is, or any number of factors that can be used to try to predict the likelihood that something goes wrong in his work. the next four years with Biden as president.

Looking at the work Biden has done, age would not be an issue. Everyone who works with the president says he is the dynamic force of the administration. David Brooks, a Republican columnist for the New York Times, wrote about this last October. He has been interviewing Biden for 25 years. He sees some lag, but compared it to a pitcher who used to throw 90 miles per hour and now throws 80 miles per hour, which he calls effective.

Brooks even stated that he thinks Biden has improved with age. Biden crammed every fact into every answer; now he is more disciplined. Brooks says Biden is sharper and more focused on issues, which inspires more, not less, trust.

As I think about this, I think of the younger Biden and his blunders and other verbal errors. This was a major problem for him in the 1980s, when he failed to attribute comments to a British politician and had to withdraw from the presidential race. Or some statements he made about then-candidate Barack Obama during the 2008 primaries. I don’t see much of that anymore.

I do see Biden negotiating alone with the extreme Republicans in Congress during the last two State of the Union addresses. Last year he made sure they wouldn’t make cuts to Medicare and Social Security in the budget. This year he took them on in the areas of taxes, social security and immigration. I don’t remember seeing a president do that before, not Clinton, not Obama, and they were younger when they gave their speech.

Brooks noticed that Biden is steeped in knowing what life is like for working and middle-class people. Brooks is right when he says this is Biden’s personal background. That story is well known. Biden combines this with his clear desire to solve the problems faced by traditionally excluded groups, including people of color, same-sex families and immigrants. He also brings a significant history of foreign policy expertise, with longstanding relationships around the world. This is invaluable to us.

I am only now beginning to hear that there has been some progress in the Middle East to return to work on a two-state solution with Israel and the Palestinians. Unless both groups can live in dignity and peace, the extreme violence we see there will not stop. I have not seen any real efforts to work toward the two-state solution since the end of the Clinton administration.

Brooks recognized Biden’s sense of decency. Brooks notes the Bidens’ seemingly instinctive ability to connect with those who are hurting. Brooks mentioned his own loss of a friend to suicide. Biden personally called him to offer comfort. He let Brooks talk and, through his words and tone, joined Brooks in his suffering. Brooks experienced the “comfort of being seen” by Biden.

Biden recently gave a speech on a number of topics, including dialogue in our country today. They lament that people cannot simply vote against him, but that they abandon flags with profanity and encourage small children to make obscene gestures at him during the campaign. He urged people to think about how “we” have diminished the dialogue. He concluded his speech by calling our country the most unique country in the world. He appealed to our higher values and used inclusive terms to address a problem, rather than sowing division and blaming.

If you’re worried about the next four years, take a look at Biden’s family history. His mother lived into her 90s and his father lived to 86. Both lifespans would exceed Biden’s next presidential term. Or his medical condition, which by all indications is excellent. Trying to predict when someone will die seems like folly. My husband, apparently physically fit and healthy, died at 65.

Is it too old to value competence, empathy, decency or inclusivity? I don’t think so and I think it’s time to put this aside and focus on what’s really at stake in this election.

— Community columnist Marcia Meoli is a Dutch lawyer and resident. Contact her at [email protected].

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