In today's WSJ: "No Country for Old Presidents"

In today's Wall Street Journal, I have an opinion piece entitled, “No Country for Old Presidents.” It begins:

Should there be an upper age limit on the presidency? Former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, 77, may join a crowded and aging field of candidates. Last month Bernie Sanders, 78, was hospitalized with what the campaign called “chest discomfort” and turned out to be a heart attack. In September 2016, Hillary Clinton, then 68, was privately diagnosed with pneumonia. The campaign concealed the diagnosis until she was caught on camera fainting from dehydration.

Mental health is another concern. “Gaffes” on the campaign trail drive observers to wonder whether the slip-ups reflect a candidate’s age and are a sign of some greater health concern. Voters have no way of knowing.

It concludes:

The Constitution sets a minimum age of 35 to serve as president. Maybe it should be amended to set an upper age limit at 70, 75 or 80. Like the 22nd Amendment limiting presidential terms, such an amendment shouldn’t take effect immediately, lest it affect the outcome of the 2020 race. But it’s worth having a conversation about age for future presidential candidates before an age-related crisis strikes a president.

I’ll have more about what a constitutional amendment might look like soon.