When President Joe Biden’s retirement was announced in july Democrats seemed to breathe a collective sigh of relief when he announced he would not seek re-election to a second term in the White House.
Of course, Biden would likely be forced out of that role after the next presidential election. embarrassing debate performance To Donald Trump, he spoke in mumbling, long sentences. But the consensus among party leaders and Democratic voters was this. It’s been bubbling for a while–Biden is just too old. He is 82 years old, and winning a second term would take him inching closer to his 90s.
Despite the focus just months ago on Biden’s age and voters’ concerns about his continued presence, some establishment Democrats now appear willing to ignore those warnings.
No matter how you look at it, Mr. Biden is far from a spring chicken. But he is a year younger than independent progressive Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont, and just recently said of his next term:probably” is his last. And Sanders is just one year younger than California Representative Nancy Pelosi, the former Democratic House speaker. I had hip surgery last weekend. After a fall during an official visit to Luxembourg.
some members of parliament literally dead To stay in the office. However, it doesn’t have to be this way.
Many Democrats are younger, more progressive, and want to serve in leadership positions, but they face obstacles to getting there. Perhaps the biggest problem is that some leaders refuse to relinquish their power and continue to prioritize seniority.
Just last week, punch bowl news Pelosi was reportedly working behind the scenes to stop New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez from attacking her. bid Become a senior member of the House Oversight Committee. The newspaper said Pelosi was making the call on behalf of Virginia Representative Gerry Connolly, who has been on the committee for 16 years and is running for leadership.
Connolly, 74, also Approved On Monday, the powerful steering and policy committee and the centrist New Democratic Party Coalition announced their support for him in a statement. statement Last week, from the group’s chair and chair-elect. Meanwhile, Ocasio-Cortez, 35, Approved From the Progressive Caucus. The full caucus is scheduled to vote on committee candidates on Tuesday, but typically follows the steering committee’s recommendations.
Especially Pelosi and Ocasio-Cortez. A slightly turbulent professional relationshippresupposes many differences between the younger progressive vanguard and older, more senior members of the Democratic establishment. But Ms. Pelosi clearly decided to support Mr. Connolly. fight esophageal cancerleading the House’s chief investigative division is a strange battle for her.
Perhaps the front is more focused on ideology than age. Pelosi and Connolly I’m a friend. But Ocasio-Cortez is undoubtedly one of the most left-wing Democrats in national politics, making her a thorn in the side of Democratic leaders. major policy issuesincluding Medicare for All; Pelosi is against it..
govern as PresbyteryThis situation, where older people hold all the power, has dangerous implications for our democracy. After all, older legislators may have different views and understandings than younger generations about the biggest policy challenges and priorities facing the country. (For example, older Americans tend not to be very liberal about the same social issues and policies, voters say they want. )
However, changing this system is not easy. The incumbent is There is a huge advantage during the election period.so power is easier to maintain than to gain.
Of course there is a generational change does not necessarily indicate a change in ideology. But if more progressive Democrats like Ocasio-Cortez try to forge a new path for the Democratic Party, they will face staunch opposition from the 70s and 80s who came before them. .
The older generation stays at the top and maintains the Democratic Party. It’s not just that seniority tends to be a factor., But they are not representative of the people they were elected to represent. According to census Data shows that the median age of the population is approximately 39 years. On the other hand, the average age In 2023, the average age of a member of the U.S. House of Representatives was approximately 58 years old. The average age of senators was 64 years old.
It’s also true that the Democratic Party is not the only one exercising a deadly grip on those in power. After all, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell skipped work last week and missed out on a few votes to make up for it. From the fall accident he suffered on tuesday. Nevertheless, and some Anxious episodes of freezing— Mr. McConnell said he intended to do so. complete the remaining term of officewill end in January 2027.
Surprisingly, the average age of House Democrats is I’m a little older than the Republican Party. In addition, a majority of the five youngest U.S. senators (4 out of 5) is a Republican. And it’s proven, given how Democrats under current leadership have catered to more conservative and moderate members. become a failed strategy–You might think the party is trying to win over a much younger and emerging progressive wing.
