Should there be a maximum age for a presidential candidate?

The problem with an upper bound is that it throws out the wheat with the chaff.

I know people in their late eighties who are fit and sharp and can argue a point with the best of them, and know their public policy inside and out. Yet I know people in their fifties that make me wonder if they should be allowed to walk around unescorted.

I guess a top age limit for me would be “no taking office after age 90”.

The older version of the original Shang Tsung from mortal kombat should be the limit , but should be open to appeal.

I think 45 or 50 should be the upper limit for the age when beginning the campaign for a first term. I don’t want any national level political leaders over the age of 60.

This is off the cuff, but I would say no older than 75 when taking office.

Death is a definite disqualifier.

No. I don’t think there should be a minimum age for the office ether beyond voting age. Old enough to vote, old enough to run.

No.

Only for Sanders.

Maybe not but if someone were too old (older than Sanders would be about my limit), I wouldn’t vote for them.

@Darth_Algar . They say your brain isn’t fully developed until you’re 22 years old.

Should they at least have to be that old?

Or should voter age be a bit higher?

Or am I , as usual, overthinking things?

As a student of history I must caution against allowing the installation of infant figureheads.

I would say 45.

Of course, this election we have a fourth grader running.

^45? That seems too young….

Our Canadian prime minister is 44 now. He’s doing fine. He wasn’t the youngest ever elected. We’ve had quite a few elected in their 40’s and early 50’s. Much preferable to old politicians who are too hooked into being politicians instead of citizens.

^I meant too young a cut off. But I get what you’re saying about older politicians.

We’ve had quite a few young politicians lately. A lot came in with the NDP in Quebec a few years back. Some had to drop out of university to serve. They’ve been doing good jobs.

@MrGrimm888

Well if we’re speaking in terms of maturity that’s difficult to call. I’ve seen 16 year-olds as mature of people three times their age. And I’ve seen 50 year-olds who seem to have never matured beyond the age of 16. So I don’t know if the voting age should be raised or what, but whatever the age may be I’ll contend that old enough to vote should mean old enough to run. I mean, if we don’t consider you mature enough to run for an office then how can you be mature enough to vote for that office? And if you’re mature enough to vote for an office then how can you not be mature enough to run for it?

Excellent answer, as usual, from @Darth_Algar .

I knew a girl who was 13 years old,when I was 18. She was FAR ahead of me in the ‘street smarts’ category.

Perhaps age is less relevant than it is perceived.