Not dead yet
I read Mona Charen’s column regarding President Biden’s age (PDN, Aug. 18.)
She was responding to the concern of many that he might not survive another four years in office if reelected because of his current age.
She turned to actuarial tables to determine that it is quite likely that he will live beyond a second term in office.
That is good to know.
The Constitution, Article II, Section 1, Clause 5, spells out the qualifications for the office of president which are simply: at least age 35, a natural born U.S. citizen and a resident within the U.S. for 14 years.
The Constitution does not explicitly say that the president must be not dead, but it is certainly implied.
Thus, Ms. Charen has the Constitution on her side in making her argument.
Asking that our President and other elected officials be not dead is, however, a pretty low bar.
I realize that Senators Feinstein, McConnell and Fetterman are barely able to clear even that bar on any given day.
We should expect much more than being not dead from our public servants.
The 2024 primaries and elections will soon be upon us.
I personally will be looking for candidates who can offer more than just the fact that they are not dead as their only qualification for office.
“Vote for Joe! He’s not dead (yet)” is a campaign slogan worthy of Monty Python.
Dale Russell
Port Angeles
