Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Pointless Presidential Pfacts #5 - "The Old Veep"

Alben Barkley is the oldest Vice President at 71 years old elected in 1948 with Harry Truman. Even though unaffected by the newly passed 22nd Amendment, Truman decided not to run early in the primary process after a poor showing in the New Hampshire primary. With an opening now on the Democratic ticket, the incumbent Vice President, by then in 1952, was 74 years old...the same age that Vice President Joe Biden will be a couple weeks after the 2016 election. The first man to get the nickname Veep (Barkley) encountered opposition to his run for the nomination saying he's too old for the job. Had he somehow won the General Election of 1952, he would've died in his first term. Former Vice President Barkley died in 1956. Now I know 74 in 1952 is different than 74 in 2016, but I think he might encounter a similar response but probably can give a better argument that he's no feeble 74 year old, or rather going to be.

Pointless Presidential 'Pinion
Now a little opinion...I think he's a fine vice president, knows politics from policy to diplomacy, he doesn't hide that he's human, and he's ready to be president if something happens to President Barack Obama or if he were successful at his own run for the office in 2016 and if he does run he'll have the power of incumbency but then again so did Barkley. Having said that, as great as a politician as he is I don't understand how he doesn't see the excitement and desire from Democrats and independents (calm down...not all independents) to see Hillary Clinton get the nomination despite what she's said. I've always thought he'll come to his senses (but it is the presidency an office he has tried for more than once so why not fight for it when you're so close and with the most power and influence) and step aside since there have been plenty of white males that have vied for the nomination, let a female try, especially one that received 18 million (round number) votes in the 2008 primary/caucus elections and remains popular. He could even run for vice president again on the ticket since there's no term limits for a veep. But I'd rather he not...maybe her secretary of state. nerdalert!

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