Joe Biden said that he would not seek a second term as president if his health deteriorates while in office.
A voter at a CNN town hall in Las Vegas, Nevada, on Thursday night asked the former vice president, 77, if he would commit to serving only one term.
“No, I wouldn’t do that, but, I tell you what, you’re going to be able to make a judgment,” Biden said. “And, by the way, the two youngest people on the stage now are me and Buttigieg,” he joked, referring to 38-year-old former South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg, the youngest candidate in the race.
Biden said, however, that he would not seek a second term if his health declined.
“I’m in pretty good health, but, look, I guarantee you this: If anything changed in my health, making it incapable for me to fully exert all the energy and mental acuity that was needed to be done, then I give you my word: I would not run again,” Biden said.
If elected, Biden would be the oldest president in history. President Ronald Reagan, the current record-holder, was 77 when he left office.
Biden explained that part of his reasoning for not committing to one term was because it would make it harder to accomplish policy goals.
California special interest groups follow Newsom into early 2028 primary states
Hegseth’s growing campaign role sparks talk of political future
‘How Weak Are You?’: Watch as Vet Who Lost Both Legs in Afghanistan Shreds Sailors Whining About Food on USS Abraham Lincoln
Minnesota prosecutor accused of billing Medicaid from commercial sex house she turned into assisted-living facility
Socialists capture major Florida victory on hit-or-miss night for Trump-endorsed primary candidates
Inside the tension that drove Trump’s South Korea alliance from ‘historic new era’ to military pullback
State of play: What to know about California showdown to replace Swalwell after massive scandal
Former state rep tops ranked-choice slugfest as Alaska advances nominees for governor
America’s reddest state crowns GOP governor nominee
Democrats pick their fighter for uphill bid to flip deep-red Senate seat
69 live animals found stuffed in pillowcases in hidden car compartment after border arrest: Feds
Prosecutors hammer Tyler Robinson’s bid to derail death penalty in Charlie Kirk murder case
Maryland rocked by third beaver attack in weeks after 2 animals test positive for rabies
Never-Trump Republican is top Dem choice in crucial Florida primary
Trump’s support doesn’t save scandal-plagued lawmaker in primary
“Look, anybody who starts off saying, ‘I’m only going to serve one term,’ is already behind the eight ball because then you’re a one-term president, and no one worries about what the hell’s going to happen after that,” Biden said.
He added that it is “totally legitimate” to consider candidates’ ages and health, noting that several candidates are over 70 years old and that his young age was questioned when he ran for Senate in 1972, when he was 29.
Biden primary competitors Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders and former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg are both 78, and Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren is 70.
“That’s why I give all my medical records. OK. Everything,” Biden said.
Biden released medical records that revealed he has a heart condition and high cholesterol but makes no mention of mental agility.
