Dan Balz, a veteran political reporter from The Washington Post, often considered the dean of political reporters, has weighed in on the scrutiny surrounding President Joe Biden’s age. At 81, President Biden has faced questions about his age, with some suggesting that it dominates discussions, potentially overshadowing policy issues.
Balz draws parallels with the 1984 reelection campaign of President Ronald Reagan, who was 73 at the time. Reagan, in a debate with his opponent Walter Mondale, humorously addressed the age issue: “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.”
Balz emphasizes the importance of confronting the age issue directly and finding ways to diffuse it to prevent it from dominating the discussion. He acknowledges that it’s easier for people to focus on age, but he warns against oversimplifying campaigns as solely about age, stressing the need to consider complex policy issues.
Age in Congress (Credits: CBS News)
Despite President Biden’s age, Balz points out that he has undertaken physically taxing trips, such as his visit to Ukraine. He also notes Biden’s ability to engage in spontaneous moments, as seen in his State of the Union address where he took on Republicans over Social Security.
Balz acknowledges that media coverage of Biden’s age may be excessive, especially when compared to former President Donald Trump’s coverage. He highlights instances where Trump made gaffes, such as mixing up names during the New Hampshire primary.
The discussion reflects the ongoing debate about how age is portrayed in the media and its potential impact on political narratives. Balz suggests that while age is a factor, it should not overshadow the broader complexities of political campaigns and governance.
