By Charles E. Kraus
I’ve been conducting age related research about how decrepitude might affect the candidates. I’m 73, just about Trump's age, slightly older than Warren, a few years younger than Biden and Sanders. This isn’t theory. I’m working from firsthand personally documented or at least experienced information.
The energy and stamina of the various leading primary candidates is inspiring. They project vitality and mental agility, the type of mindset I employ sparingly — when the company arrives and excitement and ego produce surges of adrenaline, causing my inner resources to perform at absolute peak. The burdens of reduced functionality, “senior moments”, sore joints, worn out limbs —are relegated to the back burner. I am in the moment. Ageless. Completely alive! This raging overdrive can be sustained for up to forty-five minutes, after which, I’m depleted for the rest of the week. I imagine that if I were in a debate, the excitement would keep me on my feet and see me through. But latter, those feet would be pretty swollen, and my mind would feel abused.
In 2016, Trump accused Hillary of taking naps. The current Democratic candidates might gain an edge by accusing him of insomnia. Sleep deprivation may not be an impeachable offense, but it is no way to run a brain. I consider myself in excellent condition — considering. And part of my health conscious regime involves not being awake too long on any given day.
The residue of human mileage is experience. Older candidates have perspectives going back over decades. They can call on personal history and acquired knowhow to counter most age related deficits. And, of course, they employ support teams capable of filling in all the gaps oldsters place in the middle of their sentences.
In many ways, each elder-candidate has adjusted to the onslaught of the decades by unique accommodation. But in at least one way, all have taken a similar approach. Check out the face lifts, hair transplants, and hair dyes. I am sure you will agree, these folks may want your trust, but none of them can look in the mirror and say, this is me, ladies and gentleman, the unvarnished me.
