OPINION:
The problem is less the chronological age of Beltway politicians and more the length of time they have served in office (“Biden’s bumbling puts spotlight on abundance of elderly politicians running Washington,” Web, July 13).
Most seats have become sinecures and incumbents have little fear of competition during the primaries. Jurisdictions colored either red or blue, and there is little chance that the colors will change. The holders of these districts simply have to go along to get along, as former House Speaker Sam Rayburn counseled many decades ago. If you play the game of obeisance to the caucus boss and vote according to the party’s priorities, you will stay in your safe seat, have a highway extension named for you in due time and get a nice fundraiser when you retire after decades of party loyalty.
President Biden’s deteriorating condition is something separate from his almost 50 years of treading mephitic Beltway waters. Democratic potentates should exercise Machiavellian realpolitik to pry his grasping fingers from the office.
Of course, if party bosses sense that Mr. Biden is the only Democrat who can keep the party favors flowing in 2024, they will prop him up regardless of his obvious impairments.
PAUL BLOUSTEIN
Cincinnati
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