Biden, Trump among 20 oldest world leaders; their fellow senior citizens could swing race

Voters have severe concerns regarding the capability of America's two potential presidential nominees but for vastly different reasons. About half of U.S. voters believe that Donald Trump is mentally fit to be president, and confidence in President Biden is even lower with one-third of voters who believe he is mentally fit for the job, according to a CBS News/YouGov poll last week.

Both candidates, Biden at 81 and Trump at 77, are among the 20 oldest world leaders compared to those currently in power. When Biden was first elected at 78, he became America's oldest president. The world’s oldest leader is President Paul Biya of Cameroon, age 91. However, he has been in power for more than 40 years.

Biden and Trump, who debated twice during the 2020 election, will face off again in a debate scheduled for 9 p.m. next Thursday, June 27, at CNN studios in Atlanta, Georgia.

Senior voter power

The power of America's senior voters to determine the next occupant of the Oval Office cannot be underestimated. With their dedication and perseverance, older voters sway elections at all levels every cycle. The challenge lies in predicting how they will react to candidates older than them and whom they will ultimately vote for.

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However, most political observers agree that older voters will play a decisive role. Americans tend to vote more as they age, especially during a presidential election. Seniors, driven by the potential impact on Social Security and Medicare, are inspired to make their voices heard at the polls.

Why do seniors feel a stronger sense of duty to vote? Older individuals can still recall when their votes made a difference and influenced public policy changes. Senior African Americans, in particular, remember the struggle for voting rights and view voting more personally. Political campaigns are targeting them due to their higher likelihood of voting.

Younger voters slow to back Biden

On the other hand, President Obama's 2008 presidential campaign significantly energized young voters. Young individuals influenced the election with their votes and as active volunteers, attending campaign events, with nearly one in ten donating money to the campaign. Obama overwhelmingly secured 66% of the youth vote, while his opponent, McCain, received 31%. This shows the powerful appeal Obama had among young people.

It should come as no surprise that young voters call for better descriptive representation by supporting younger politicians if political representation is important to them. In 2008, Obama's message of hope and change resonated strongly with young voters. However, it was not as effective in 2012, although Obama still won.

What happened? Perhaps their expectations were so high that they felt let down, leading them to believe that the political system didn't work.

Biden is experiencing a similar issue. Gen Z and millennial voters, who strongly supported Biden in 2020, are now giving him low ratings. With approximately five months before the presidential election, there is significant uncertainty about the status of the youth vote supporting the Democratic nominee.

NC: Pivotal role in the race for president

North Carolina's pivotal role in determining the next U.S. President is undeniable. In presidential elections since 2000, North Carolina has supported Democratic candidates 16.7% of the time and Republican candidates 83.3% of the time. In 2020, North Carolina voted for Donald Trump. From 2000 to 2020, North Carolina accurately picked the winning presidential candidate 66.7% of the time.

Seniors, Gen Z, Millennials, and all others have a tremendous responsibility in this election cycle. Please vote.

Troy Williams is a member of The Fayetteville Observer Community Advisory Board. He is a legal analyst and criminal defense investigator. He can be reached at talk2troywilliams@yahoo.com.

This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: North Carolina will play a pivotal role in the Biden and Trump race