Summary
Rep. Annie Kuster, a 68-year-old Democrat from New Hampshire, retiring after 12 years in Congress, cites a desire to “set a better example” and create space for younger leaders.
Her decision comes amid growing public concern about aging politicians, with about a quarter of lawmakers over 70. Kuster’s successor will be Maggie Goodlander, 38.
Democrats are increasingly elevating younger leaders following setbacks in 2024, which some attribute to the perception of aging leadership, including President Biden’s controversial reelection bid.
Calls for age limits remain popular but face significant legislative hurdles.
How are elderly politicians an advantage?
They have years of dirt and favors to cash in.
The 1% doesn’t need to spend more money purchasing a new politician.
They control all the important committees because they’re assigned by seniority.
Within the party.
If Dem have control a Republican can’t have seniority, the senior Dem on the committee does. Senior as in time on committee btw, not time in office.
Kuster has been in Congress for 12 years. She’s on three committees, and she ain’t leading shit.
They’re not. But understanding nuanced wording is.
Oh yes, the nuance of the GOP will take advantage of this is so nuanced
“bOth SiDes!!” Isn’t the nuanced take you seem to think it is.
Actually, that’s not what I said despite what you understood.
I can vote and support the Dems, which I do for the most part, without agreeing with them. The Dems can do better. How is that “Both sides?” Or are you saying that any criticism of them can’t be made? We lost this last election… do you think it’s because they did a great job?
You have yet to utter even a single word explaining how you think the GOP can use this to their advantage.
By staying in office until they’re piles of dusty bones, while Dems “step down to set a good example.” The fallacy of “both sides” in any of this is thinking that by doing the right thing that the GOP will also follow suit.
Better?
You understand that stepping down doesn’t leave that seat vacant for the 119th Congress, right? That
there’ll be a special election to replace hershe’s being replaced by a 38-year-old Democrat? What the fuck does this 68-year-old staying there have to offer versus someone younger?How is someone younger automatically better?
What the fuck does my misunderstanding have to do with “both sides?” To answer your question, “No,” I didn’t realize that. Good - the only question will then be at reelection time when the replacement’s term ends. Unless, as you noted in your cross-out, there’s a special election.
“b0tH s!d3z”
Sometimes the answer is simpler than just making accusations.
I’m not the one who both-sides’d you. You’ll have to take that up with the other user.