McConnell and Feinstein episodes raise age concerns about US leaders

As the country's political leaders continue to get older, events and episodes of decline among politicians continue to happen publicly.

This past week, two events involving two of the oldest politicians in Congress became highly scrutinized and again caused citizens to wonder if the country's leaders are up to the task.

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First, it was Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), 81, who froze at the lectern for about 20 seconds while giving a press conference. He had to be led away by Sen. John Barrasso (R-WY). McConnell eventually came back to the lectern and continued the press conference.

Seeing the longest-serving Senate leader in history temporarily break down in front of reporters sent shockwaves through the Capitol and the press corps. Several other incidents relating to McConnell's age began to bubble up in news reports, including accounts of him face-planting at an airport and stories about him using a wheelchair to get around when he's not at work.

The Kentucky senator said he doesn't have any plans to step down as the minority leader during this Congress, but his office was silent about what his plans are for anything beyond then.

Then it was Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), 90, who was confused about what to do when she was up to vote in committee, having to be informed by Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA) to “Just say aye.”

Questions about Feinstein's health have swirled around her for years as Democrats have quietly, and then loudly, started to suggest it was past time for her to hand off the baton to someone younger.

Following a lengthy absence earlier this year due to a bout of shingles and further health complications, Feinstein announced she would not seek reelection next year, setting up a high-profile, high-cost primary featuring fundraising heavyweights Reps. Adam Schiff (D-CA) and Katie Porter (D-CA).

Age is especially a problem in the Senate, where the average age is 64, compared to in the House, where it's 57.

It’s not just in the Senate where old age is a factor, the top two candidates for president in their respective parties, President Joe Biden, 80, and former President Donald Trump, 77, have both been criticized by their opponents on their age.

For Biden — who would be 86 by the end of his second term if he's reelected — it's his regular gaffes and occasional falls that bring public criticism from Republicans and voters.

A poll back in July from JL Partners/DailyMail.com found that 49% of Democrats said Biden is too old to be president, while 28% believed he is the right age, and 23% replied they were unsure.

In addition, 71% of likely general election voters said they believe Biden is too old to be president, according to the poll; 94% of Republicans surveyed said they believe he is too old to be president, and 71% of independents said they believe he's too old.

Trump has also been criticized for his age, including most recently this week by his closest rival, Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL).

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When asked in an interview if he would pardon Trump if elected, DeSantis responded by taking a dig at his age.

“What I’ve said is very simple. I’m gonna do what’s right for the country. I don’t think it would be good for the country to have an almost 80-year-old former president go to prison,” DeSantis responded.