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It it one of the most replayed moments in the history of presidential debates.
Standing on a stage in Kansas City in October 1984, President Ronald Reagan was asked the question that was on most everyone’s mind. He was the oldest president ever, and had been described as being « very tired » after an earlier debate. Did he have any questions in his mind about his ability to function if deprived of sleep during a national security crisis?
Reagan, 73 at the time, said, « Not at all. » And, after scowling for a moment, he submitted to a flicker of a smile as he added, « 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. »
The question of how old is too old has also dogged President Biden, the oldest president ever to take the oath of office. Polls have found even Democratic voters express doubts about whether he’s too old for the job. He told CBS 60 Minutes that his answer to the age question is, « Watch me, » citing his schedule and energy level.
On Sunday, Biden turns 80. He has said he will be talking with his family during the next couple of months about whether to make good on an intention to seek a second term, at the end of which he would be 86.
« I’m a great respecter of fate. And this is, ultimately, a family decision, » Biden told reporters earlier this month. « I think everybody wants me to run, but … we’re going to have discussions about it. »Reagan was the first president to face the ‘how old is too old’ question
In 1984, when Reagan deflected the age question on the debate stage with humor, everyone in the room laughed. That included Reagan’s opponent, veteran senator and former vice president Walter Mondale, age 56 — even as he knew his slim chance of beating Reagan had just vanished. The incumbent went on to carry 49 states, a landslide victory.
But there is far more to the story than what is usually remembered. The question of Reagan’s fitness had been very much in the air prior to that meeting in Kansas City. In an earlier debate, Reagan had seemed fuzzy on facts. When speaking of military uniforms, he struggled and came up with the word « wardrobe, » a term more appropriate to his years as a movie star.
