What is the Best Age for a U.S. President?
How Does the Age of U.S. Presidents Compare to World Leaders?
Feb 15, 2009
The 2008 Presidential Campaign was historical and diversified in many ways. The whole world watched as:
- An African American male wins the Democratic primary against a 61 year old woman who is married to a man who was the 42nd U.S. President!
- A 72 year old male wins the Republican primary against a 62 year old former Quarterback for the Chicago Bears, whose faith is Mormon, and against a 55 year old male ordained as a Southern Baptist Minister.
- A 72 year old Presidential candidate selects a woman running mate who is the second woman in U.S. history to have been a Vice Presidential nominee of a major party.
- The first African American man is elected as 44th President of the United States.
President's Age: Energy or Experience?
After the primaries, an expected discussion ensued based on the age spread between the two major party candidates. The media contrasted the youthful energy and intellectual style of Illinois' Senator, Barack Obama at 47, against the experience and wisdom of Arizona's 72 year old Senator, John McCain. While there were many other factors in play during the campaign, age may have played a part in the decision-making inside the polling booth.
Of course, there were valid arguments regarding age on both sides, but the final choice for the forty-forth United States President was Barack Obama, one of the youngest Presidents of the United States.
Who Were the Youngest Presidents in U. S. History?
While electing a President at 47 may represent a vote for youth, Obama is NOT the youngest President in history. In fact, according to Wikipedia's List of U.S. Presidents by Age, the United States has elected nine Presidents in their forties: 42 - Theodore Roosevelt in1901, 43 - John F Kennedy in 1961, 46 - Bill Clinton in 1993, 46 - Ulysses S Grant in1869, 47 - Grover Cleveland in 1893, 47 - Barack Obama in 2008, 48 - Franklin Pierce in 1853, 49 - James Polk in 1845, 49 - James Garfield in 1881.
If John McCain had won, he would have been the oldest President ever elected, beating the previous recordholder, Ronald Regan who was 69, by three years. To date, there have been nine Presidents in their 40’s, twenty-five in their 50’s, and ten in their 60's. The median age is 54.8 years.
Global Leaders Ages
The politics, social attitudes and customs around the globe are varied, but thanks to technology and the media, a new synergy exists. It is interesting to note that the minds fueling the engines of this world today span a wide age range. According to Wikipedia regarding leaders of the G-8 Powers (excluding the United Arab Emrites) the average age is 59.6 years. Dmitry Medvedev, President of Russia, is the youngest at 43. Giorgio Napolitano, President of the Italian Republic is the oldest at 83.
- Prime Minister of Canada - Stephen Harper, 68
- President of France - Nicholas Sarcozy, 53
- Chancellor of Germany - Angela Merkel, 54
- Prime Minister of Great Britain - Gordon Brown, 57
- President of Italian Republic - Giorgio Napolitano at 83
- Prime Minister of Japan - Yasuo Fukuda, 72
- President of Russia - Dmitry Medvedev at 43
- President of the United States - Barack Obama 47
How Important is Age in World Politics?
Undoubtedly, many goals are shared in today's world: education, health and opportunity for every child born, compromise between different points of view, and peaceful communication between nations. Combine these lofty human goals with the earthly challenges of climate change, economic meltdown and the threat of nuclear attack and terrorism, and it will definitely take a combination of seasoned wisdom and innovative energy to keep this world spinning.
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