Hillary Clinton: Biden has 'good record' but 'people have every right to consider' his age

[Polybius]

Source: The Hill

Former Secretary of State and First Lady Hillary Clinton said even though President Biden has a “good record” as president, “people still have the right to consider” his age as a factor to re-elect him to another term in office — something she said she supports.

During an appearance at the Financial Times Weekend Festival in Washington, D.C., Clinton, who unsuccessfully ran for president in 2016, was asked by Financial Times editor Edward Luce about the moment when Biden almost fell walking down the stairs during the Group of Seven (G-7) summit in Hiroshima, Japan.

“Every time that happens, your heart is in your mouth, because these things could be consequential. Is that a concern?” Luce asked Clinton.

“Well, I mean, it’s a concern for anyone. And we’ve had presidents who’ve fallen before who are a lot younger, and people didn’t go into heart palpitations,” Clinton responded. “But his age is an issue. And people have every right to consider it.”

Read more: https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/4016367-hillary-clinton-biden-has-good-record-but-people-have-every-right-to-consider-his-age/

[Hortensis]

1. One of those things that don't need to be said. Of course we do.

That HRC supports Biden's reelection is what's worth noting here. But then we knew that before also.

Go, Joe!

[Bayard]

2. Compare and contrast with Gerald Ford

Joe is probably in better shape than anyone running against him--especially TFG!

[wnylib]

24. Gerald Ford came to my mind, too.

And we should not forget that one of our greatest presidents was in a wheel chair for his 3+ terms.

I am not worried about Biden's age. He is obviously mentally sharp. If anything happened physically to prevent him from finishing his second term, I have confidence in the ability of Kamala Harris to take over.

[onetexan]

51. THIS!!☝️

[Shermann]

3. At the end of the day, no one man or woman is irreplaceable in this country

The Constitution separates, distributes, and limits power, and this is all by design. Also, there are layers of redundancy. True believers in the Constitution might have concerns but not heart palpitations.

[riversedge]

5. yes, agree with your first part. Yet, Hillary herself is at an age when falls are very common

Falls lead to injury, and many times death in the elderly. And yes, seeing an older adult fall gives me a startle. Palpitations --maybe for a bit?? for a small while?? My mom fell several times in her old age. It just happens. You can be standing next to them and down they go. Biden is fit--he exercises regularly but the concern is there. I hope the angels continue to watch over him--and his doctor .

[Shermann]

44. I'm talking about US politicians in the grander sense of course, not friends and family. nt

[KY_EnviroGuy]

4. If only millions of Americans had exercised their rights in 2015....

to consider the qualifications, life history and motives of TFG, Hillary would have been elected President....

But, but, they say, she would not have been as entertaining.....


KY

[Gore1FL]

6. If AOC said this, this thread would be a shit show. nt

[groundloop]

8. Yeah..... that wasn't the greatest choice of words

[McKim]

10. Yes, it was not that friendly!

Yes, it was not that friendly. I wish she had been more encouraging.

[paleotn]

13. Can't argue with that.

[Magoo48]

30. Yup, and then some.

[Old Okie]

33. AOC

Agree that any one but HRC would have gotten grief over that comment. Very touchy here about critical comments.

[Marthe48]

7. Our neighbor was 96 when we met him

He lived on his own, and except for a home nurse stopping to give him vitamin B shots, he was fine, sharp as a tack. We had bought our house from his nurse and her husband. She shared with me that I shouldn't go in his house alone, because he was an old goat. He ended up getting murdered in a breaking and entering. They got his killers, and they said he got argumentative with them, and then physical. One of them pushed him and he landed wrong.


In spite of what his nurse said, and how he died, he was a nice and engaging neighbor. He is only one of many older folks I know who are sharp minds living in well-aged bodies. I have no problem voting for President Biden, and supporting him as he tries to stitch the country together.

My only concern is that President Biden and some of the people he appointed are still practicing politics as if we weren't in a traitor-infested reality. So I'd like to see them digging harder to root the thugs out of positions of power and responsibility.

[kacekwl]

9. Yes, and after you consider it.

You will see he's doing the job with great skill and competence that would be tough for a much younger man, or woman.

[crickets]

16. +1000000

[TomSlick]

11. Why would any Democrat say that?

[PatSeg]

21. It could have been worded better

Now all that people hear is "people have every right to consider his age". That quote will be taken out of context and reinforce the ageism narrative. It really was a careless remark and could have been expressed much better.

[hueymahl]

26. But of course everyone will be asking "Was it careless"

Or was it intended?

[PatSeg]

32. Yeah, I was thinking the same thing

Hillary isn't known for being careless. She usually says exactly what she means.

[samsingh]

22. good question - have we learned nothing over the past 7 years?

we are fighting for Democracy. Every vote counts. Why give anyone any reason not to vote for Biden.

[Red Mountain]

12. And compare it to Trump's

Not so different.

Biden can answer a question, though.

Beats Trump.

[paleotn]

15. And he can drink from a water bottle with one hand.

And easily navigate dry ramps at West Point. And ride a bicycle. And.........

[paleotn]

14. Ugh. Just ugh.

Now THAT was an unforced error.

[Sogo]

18. That's a good way to put it....

I can't help but be a little more blunt and say her words piss me off!!

[mwooldri]

17. When it comes to age, Ronnie Raygun said it best.

"I will not make age an issue of this campaign. I am not going to exploit, for political purposes, my opponent's youth and inexperience."

Say what you like about the guy... His policies sucked for sure... But he did come up with some pieces of wisdom.

[Polybius]

19. He was a natural in front of the camera

Being in Hollywood helped a lot. Funny guy too, unlike Trump.

[Hassin Bin Sober]

23. She shouldn't be adding fuel to this fire

This is an attack on a sitting elected Democrat!

[EndlessWire]

25. I don't think she said that much wrong.

It was honest, and it was practical. Age is the only issue, and much of the objections are just ageism.

You know, Biden can beat Trump. Beating Trump should be our only concern. If Trump wins, you can kiss our Democracy goodbye. I believe that Joe is physically strong enough to prevail. He certainly is mentally fit.

You don't really hear about Repubs questioning Trump's age. Trump is manifestly bonkers. He is 76 years old compared to Biden's 80. Biden is sharp and fit. Trump eats cheeseburgers, barely sleeps, and spends his waking state in raging fits. He is unfit physically to the point that he needs golf carts to get around, while Biden rides bikes. Between the two (fat, pasty doughboy versus slim and trim, smiling Biden), we can easily see who is more likely to last.

And, should a fall occur and Biden strikes his head, that would be unfortunate, but practically speaking, we have Kamala Harris to take up the reins. I have full faith in her abilities. We have a solid team in place, while Trump might even be in some sort of jail.

No one is really questioning Joe's statesmanship. The criticism is over a number only. Sure, we know that 80 is not a spring chicken, but neither is it some expiration date. We quibble over an unknown future. The only future that I'm pretty sure can be taken for granted is that if Trump gets reelected, he will become like an American Hitler. Be afraid of that; we need a sane leader, and Biden is it.

In another day and time, I will vote for Secretary Pete, but we are not there yet. We have to get past the Trump era, first.

#voteblue2024.

[Demsrule86]

39. I think she and Biden have a history that little is known about. But I am disappointed in her

comments.

[Nululu]

27. Sour grapes. NT

[Scrivener7]

28. Jesus. This thread. Is she wrong? Do people not have the right to consider it?

SMH.

[Demsrule86]

41. Sure but most who bring it up are those who did not support him in 20 during

the primary. Trump will be the GOP candidate. He is two years younger than Biden. So I doubt there will be an issue. And I would say this echoes GOP talking points...I mean to trash it before but got busy so now I will.

[iemanja]

47. False

More of the nonsense, ad hominem remarks that are all too common around here when people can't handle even the most minor disagreement. I voted for Biden in the primary, but I always thought he would be a one-term president because of his age. I have no doubt there are millions who voted for him who are at least a bit concerned about his age, but that doesn't mean they won't vote for him. Your claim that it's a GOP talking point is an unacceptable, divisive comment.

Clinton didn't say Trump's age wasn't a concern. When directly asked, she said voters may consider Biden's age. She then went on to say many positive things about Biden, but that requires reading the article.

Additionally, every single voter is going to consider Biden's age. To pretend otherwise is an exercise in self-delusion. You can run around policing speech all day. it won't change reality.

[Polybius]

50. Three years and seven month's younger, not two

Not that it matters, just correcting something that was incorrect.

[Joinfortmill]

29. Yup. He's still my guy. Dude is out performing on every level.

[Scrivener7]

34. Me too. But I certainly did consider his age as part of the package.

I considered it, I don't like it, but I decided it was outweighed by his skill and apparent health.

But the vitriol here against her making the very mild observation that people have the right to consider his age is absurd.

People do have that right, and should exercise it, and this is just more Hillary bashing.

[honest.abe]

31. Age is an issue clearly but in this case his age and experience is more a positive than a negative.

Out country and the world is in crisis mode due to many issues. Joe's long experience and wisdom is exactly what we need now.

[TexasBushwhacker]

35. Anyone who would choose TFG, who is obese and doesn't exercise

over Biden, who is fit and does exercise, was going to vote fo Trump anyway.

[progressoid]

36. hoo boy

[Omaha Steve]

37. kick

[Demsrule86]

38. Trashing this...Clinton seriously should be more careful. Biden is our candidate.

[Polybius]

40. Trashing threads isn't for when you don't like what someone in a news article said

It's for when someone has a problem with the OP posting it. I'm just the messenger, it had to be told.

[iemanja]

48. Take it as a blessing

[willamette]

42. The Hill's choice of wording

See, now, I would have said "...Clinton, who won the popular vote for President by three million votes in 2016, was asked ..."

But that's just me.

[tirebiter]

43. If Biden had run in 2016,

We’d have all been better off, is what she meant to say.

[Autumn]

45. Oh my.

[iemanja]

46. The OP didn't include her positive comments about Biden

And I am of the camp that I think he’s determined to run. He has a good record that three years ago people would not have predicted would have gotten done,” Clinton told Luce.

“He doesn’t get the credit yet that he deserves for what is happening out in the country, in terms of jobs and growth and planning for the future, with chips and other stuff,” Clinton added. “So I obviously hope he stays very focused and able to compete in the election, because I think he– I think he can be re-elected, and that’s what we should all hope for.”

Furthermore, it seems to me her comment is reasonable. 1) People are going to consider it. That is inevitable, despite what some posters here want to believe. 2) Clinton didn't run again partly because of her own age.

[womanofthehills]

49. A big problem could be with younger voters

Many of us on DU are getting close to 70/80 yrs old so Biden looks good to us.

To the younger generation, he looks super old.

[Karma13612]

52. To Hillary: read the room and

Remember that we are heading into another Presidential campaign season!

There is no one else for Dems! It’s too late! We don’t have anyone else, and Joe is the incumbent. No one challenges the incumbent.

Jesus. You didn’t help Joe with that observation. You should have said it differently.

“Yes, age is an issue but Joe has experience, wisdom and strategizing skills he is using to navigate these insane times.”

See Hillary? That’s what you should have said. Loose lips sink ships.

No sorry, I’ve never been a fan of hers. Sorry. But I voted for here when it counted. I’m not stupid.

[Novara]

53. If anyone thinks age is NOT a factor, they're not paying attention

It was a factor in 2020 as well, and Biden won with a 7-million vote majority.

Hillary is not wrong. A lot of people stop driving at age 80. 80 is elderly. To ignore that is just plain stupid. Ignoring something doesn't make it go away. Rather, focus on how GOOD HE IS AT THIS JOB DESPITE HIS AGE.