An MSNBC co-host is suggesting President Joe Biden’s age should not be an issue if he runs for reelection.
A panel on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” focused on the “disconnect” between the “gratitude” Democrats have for Biden, and how many say they do not want him to run again.
Journalist Mark Leibovich noted, “The other part of this is that it’s the age question — which I know is uncomfortable to talk about.”
“But that’s a huge issue for most Democrats,” he added.
Co-host Mika Brzezinski chimed in, “I don’t know if it should be. I think age is what it is. And we keep telling people what it is when we shouldn’t be.”
“There are some people who are at their best in their 80s. My mom was using a chainsaw and doing her best work in her 80s,” she added.
Meanwhile, Joe Scarborough argued former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) was “doing a pretty damn good job in her 80s.”
Watch the video below:
MSNBC's @morningmika chastises Americans who think an 86-yr-old Pres. Biden might be too old:
— Tom Elliott (@tomselliott) February 27, 2023
"Age … shouldn’t be [an issue]. There are some people at their best in their 80s. My mom was using a chainsaw & doing the best work in her 80s." pic.twitter.com/FFIHsaAx6g
The age question has plagued Biden since his 2020 presidential campaign and first two years in office.
Biden would be 82 at the end of his first term and 86 and the end of a second term.
During an interview with ABC’s David Muir, the president denied questions about whether his age would play a role in whether he runs for reelection.
However, he said, “It’s legitimate for people to raise issues about my age. It’s totally legitimate to do that. And the only thing I can say is watch me.”
BIDEN: "It's legitimate for people to raise issues about my age. It’s totally legitimate to do that, and the only thing I can say is, 'Watch me.'" 😬 pic.twitter.com/vNR2SFPfZO
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) February 25, 2023
It is true there are some 80-year-olds who are sharp and vibrant and do not seem like they lost a step.
Pelosi’s last two years as speaker were spent in her early 80s, and she managed to keep her small Democratic caucus together to push through parts of Biden’s agenda.
But not everyone ages the same. And someone wielding a chainsaw in their 80s is a lot different than leading a superpower and dealing with domestic and international crises.