Why Hillary Clinton Isnt Too Old for 2016
Lost in the furor over Karl Roves speculation about Hillary Clintons health was his suggestion that shes getting, well, old.
Age is a consideration that could ultimately lead Mrs. Clinton to sit out the 2016 presidential race, Mr. Rove said in an interview.
My head tells me she runs, my gut tells me this is a more complicated calculation and she might not, he said. Two weeks before the 2016 election, shell turn 69. If she were to serve two terms, shed be 77.
So, is Mrs. Clinton too old to be president?A look at the life-expectancy tables shows that 69 isnt as old as it used to be.
If Mrs. Clinton wins, shed be nearly 69 years, three months old when she takes the oath of office. That would make her the second-oldest person to be sworn inbehind Ronald Reagan, who was a little more than 69 years, 11 months old when he became president in 1981.
Age doesnt tell the whole story, though. People are living longer. These days, a 69-year-old white woman has about as many years left as some of the 50-somethings who were president in an earlier era.
Lets talk about Warren Harding (and who among you hasnt been clamoring to read those words?).
Mr. Harding was 55 years old at his inauguration in 1921. At the time, he was expected to live another 20 years, according to data compiled by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Thats not much more time than a President Hillary Clinton would have left.
On inauguration day in January 2017, a 69-year-old white woman would be expected to live another 17 years.
Of course, no one ever knows how much time they have left. Mr. Harding died in office at age 57, two years after his swearing-in ceremony.
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Why Hillary Clinton Isnt Too Old for 2016