AGF Logo
  • Home
  • Industry and Expert Views
  • Investing and Market Views
  • Capitol Insights
  • Français
  • AGF.com
Skip to content
AGF logo
Insights and Market Perspectives
  • Industry and Expert Views
  • Investing and Market Views
  • Capitol Insights
  • Contributors
  • Français
  • Search
Search
Close
Age Becomes a Major Issue in U.S. Politics

  • Industry and Expert Views

For Print Only Logo
Insights and Market Perspectives

Age Becomes a Major Issue in U.S. Politics

Author: Greg Valliere

February 22, 2023

NIKKI HALEY’S CALL FOR MENTAL COMPETENCY TESTS for candidates who are 75 years or older has angered a key constituent group — senior citizens, many of whom consider her proposal an insult. But younger voters seem to like the idea.

AGE WILL BE A MAJOR ELECTION ISSUE, with Joe Biden, 80, the clear frontrunner for the Democrats’ nomination and Donald Trump, 76, moving back into the lead again in latest polls of Republican voters.

HALEY, 51, IS LOOKING FOR A HOT-BUTTON issue, as more candidates prepare to announce that they are running (Ron DeSantis, Mike Pence, Mike Pompeo, Chris Sununu, Larry Hogan, etc). Haley needs publicity and her not-too-subtle jab at Biden and Trump’s ages has stirred a hornet’s nest.

WHATEVER YOU THINK OF BERNIE SANDERS’ POLITICAL VIEWS, he’s sharp and quick. Not surprisingly, Sanders — who is 81 — blasted the Haley proposal last week as ageism — and she shot back yesterday, stating that Sanders “is exactly the reason we need” the mental test. Ouch!!

REPORTERS AT HALEY RALLIES have interviewed senior citizens in attendance, most of whom resent the idea of a mental test. Many ask — why not test all candidates, not just those who are older than 75?

THIS UPROAR is a major concern of Republican leaders, who rely on election support from seniors, their strongest bloc of voters. And the party has two very old and very powerful senators — Mitch McConnell, 80, and Charles Grassley, 89.

THE INFLUENCE OF OLDER VOTERS was clearly on display earlier this month when Florida Sen. Rick Scott (R) abandoned his idea to require Congress to re-authorize Social Security and Medicare every five years. McConnell and other Republicans were aghast at this idea, which generated intense opposition from seniors.

HALEY’S ARGUMENT OVERLOOKS the likelihood that an age limit probably would require an amendment to the Constitution, which only has minimum age limits: 35 for the presidency, 30 for the Senate and 25 for the House.

CONSIDERING ALL THE TROUBLE in the world — the Ukraine war, crumbling U.S.-China relations, a threatened U.S. debt default — the issue of age limits seems trivial. But there’s a serious message from Haley that resonates with younger voters: it’s time for a generational change.


The views expressed in this blog are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the opinions of AGF, its subsidiaries or any of its affiliated companies, funds or investment strategies.

The views expressed in this blog are provided as a general source of information based on information available as of the date of publication and should not be considered as personal investment advice or an offer or solicitation to buy and/or sell securities. Speculation or stated believes about future events, such as market or economic conditions, company or security performance, or other projections represent the beliefs of the author and do not necessarily represent the view of AGF, its subsidiaries or any of its affiliated companies, funds or investment strategies. Every effort has been made to ensure accuracy in these commentaries at the time of publication; however, accuracy cannot be guaranteed. Market conditions may change and AGF accepts no responsibility for individual investment decisions arising from the use of or reliance on the information contained herein. Any financial projections are based on the opinions of the author and should not be considered as a forecast. The forward looking statements and opinions may be affected by changing economic circumstances and are subject to a number of uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated in the forward looking statements. The information contained in this commentary is designed to provide you with general information related to the political and economic environment in the United States. It is not intended to be comprehensive investment advice applicable to the circumstances of the individual.

AGF Investments is a group of wholly owned subsidiaries of AGF Management Limited, a Canadian reporting issuer. The subsidiaries included in AGF Investments are AGF Investments Inc. (AGFI), AGF Investments America Inc. (AGFA), AGF Investments LLC (AGFUS) and AGF International Advisors Company Limited (AGFIA). AGFA and AGFUS are registered advisors in the U.S. AGFI is a registered as a portfolio manager across Canadian securities commissions. AGFIA is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland and registered with the Australian Securities & Investments Commission. The subsidiaries that form AGF Investments manage a variety of mandates comprised of equity, fixed income and balanced assets.

About AGF Management Limited

Founded in 1957, AGF Management Limited (AGF) is an independent and globally diverse asset management firm. AGF brings a disciplined approach to delivering excellence in investment management through its fundamental, quantitative, alternative and high-net-worth businesses focused on providing an exceptional client experience. AGF’s suite of investment solutions extends globally to a wide range of clients, from financial advisors and individual investors to institutional investors including pension plans, corporate plans, sovereign wealth funds and endowments and foundations.

For further information, please visit AGF.com.

©2023 AGF Management Limited. All rights reserved.

Written by

Greg Valliere

Greg Valliere

Chief U.S. Policy Strategist

AGF Investments

Also Read

  • Investing and Market Views

Market Quote: Oil Prices, Dividend Stocks, U.S. Treasuries  

September 29, 2023

  • Investing and Market Views

Sustainable Investing: Can Institutional Investors Have Their Cake and Eat it Too?

September 28, 2023

  • Investing and Market Views

Big Picture: Investors Not on the Defensive, Despite Talk of Recession

September 26, 2023

  • Investing and Market Views

Big Picture: Growth Vs Value

September 19, 2023

Get perspectives straight to your inbox.

Subscribe now

More articles like this

Ten Key Themes as a Chaotic Weekend Looms

  • Industry and Expert Views

Ten Key Themes as a Chaotic Weekend Looms

Greg Valliere | September 29, 2023

Timely insights from inside Washington.

Who Won Last Night?

  • Industry and Expert Views

Who Won Last Night?

Greg Valliere | September 28, 2023

Timely insights from inside Washington.

A Glimmer of Hope on Budget; Plus — What Would Democrats Require to Bail out McCarthy?

  • Industry and Expert Views

A Glimmer of Hope on Budget; Plus — What Would Democrats Require to Bail out McCarthy?

Greg Valliere | September 27, 2023

Timely insights from inside Washington.

AGF Logo
  • Industry and Expert Views
  • Investing and Market Views
  • Capitol Insights

Follow AGF

AGF Web Site Pages © 2023 AGF Management Limited. All rights reserved.

  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy
  • AGF.com