When even the Catholic Church disallows cardinals over 80 from participating in the Conclave, it has to be time for our politicians over 80 to step down.
Senator Durbin is a wonderful Senator. I am glad he’ll help a new generation of leaders emerge now, and I bet he’ll stay engaged and productive outside the Senate for as long as he can.
Squat legislatively. But he's the man with the message that is being received by 100s of thousands. He thinks (speaks) on his feet and he connects. While I did see him in Vallejo in 2016 I didn't vote for him. However, there is no one better to gin up moral and reach across the voter aisle.
Thank you Dick Durbin but it was time 15 yrs ago. We shouldn’t have to beg our elderly to step aside the Dem party should be on top of this. It’s not healthy
Lol.
But you're ok with the Burn it All Down fauxgressives..
How'd that work for us huh?
Those Dems you piss on gave America their all.
You should be offering a thank you.
They didn't Burn it All Down, they built an amazing generous American Democracy
Can’t believe all the angry, name calling, junior gop wannabes on here. Is it too mature for you to just wish him well? Ffs, some of you would be a better fit in the other party. If he stays, you criticize & if he retires, you criticize.
Workers in every other sector retire at appropriate ages. Politicians work until they die. I believe it’s because they become addicted to the power and perks their jobs afford them.
One of my closest friends worked as the liaison between a Medical Association of the US & the government in DC. Durbin was only in the hands of his big donors so he found every way possible not to support anything the doctors needed - often desperately.
She’s easing out but she was a master of getting policies out and done. Mentors with knowledge of where weaknesses lie for opposing party takes time to develop.
Like she mentored AOC with that knife in the back so terminally ill 74 yr old Jerry oconnelly could get his turn as head of judiciary? Or was Jerry the young up and comer she was mentoring?
There's a good chance it's going to be an incumbent bloodbath in next year's primaries. The gerontocracy has got to go. Dick is simply reading the tea leaves.
RBG and Dianne Feinstein scenarios can't be perpetuated, a plan needs to be in place for a smooth transition to avoid chaos from naming successors or having votes missed. I'm happy that the Democrats perhaps are listening to their voters' wish for the Old Guard to move on and pass the torch.
It's not age necessarily. It's vitality. It's one thing to keep a seat warm. It's another thing entirely to use your power and experience to stand up for your constituents and what's right, and to understand the current rules of the game. Looking at you Chuck.
This site seems to exist solely for people who bash Democrats.
IF, and that's a giant IF, there were incredible replacements being overlooked it'd make sense. But watching Republicans replace junk with nazi monsters should be more of a detterent to knee jerk 🤔
Effective over ineffective. Folks dialing it in aren't what we need. I just watched two former Reps turn into Senators this cycle MI,AZ who IMO have made multiple grievous mistakes. I know they have to find their Senator feet & everything they do is at our expense. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T-wZDF-WfNk&t=136s
"We".
As in, get the voters that aren't voting to vote.
Derailing the train that gets you closest to your destination isn't effective. And THAT is why Dem.s lose. There's enough weaponized disinformation already.
I'm not following you. We lost in every demographic except older women and the educated. You can't change that by doing nothing. If we get to vote 2028 will just be a boomerang result. Status quo & ineffective Dems have promised but not delivered. Biden was effective but crumbled at the debate.
Sorry, if they are retirement age they have no business in congress. It's a fact that their faculties depreciate well before that and also they should set an example to Americans that "you get to retire" instead of working until death.
Same. I guess for many of his colleagues, not getting elected again and not remaining in office for life is just unthinkable. Some of these people are in their late 70s and 80s. Has being in elected office become their entire personality?
I still think 70 should be their life limit. We still have these old cronies wobbling around, mumbling to read something. Drumpf never comments on McConnell falling down or having brain lapses. He's what 210 now.
Congress,on the down low, approved using taxpayer $15 MILLION to foreign Republican death camps where Trump is threatening to send more innocent Americans without due process. ALL Congress members approved foreign death camps that kill 100 people a week-they ALL knew it and approved it-none innocent
Thank you for your service. Now we need people with some experience in governance to take these seats. Just because you’re young isn’t going to cut it. You need to have been a part of something bigger than yourselves……
It is far past time that some of these old curmudgeons retire and allow a new generation of forward-thinking, young, energetic people to take the reins
If the Dems ever re-capture the Senate majority, which seems daunting right now for several reasons but have to stay hopeful, Sheldon Whitehouse would likely take over as Chair of the Judiciary. Whitehouse would have been far more effective in this role during Biden's term, when it mattered a lot.
one decade would have been enough - need term limits
Senator Mike Bennett also quitting the Senate to run for Colorado Govenor
As Dems are to be replaced, Dems have to be alert for those wolves in sheep closing who run in races as Dems then quickly switch to GOP or call themselves
Come now Ron, they all should be like DiFi and hold on to power until they have to have their cold dead hands pried from it. Of course I understand her reasons, her living in that super red state of California....
Because I’m 74, I feel qualified to weigh in on this. Politicians above a certain level should not be allowed to run for any office which has a term that means they would be in office above age 70. That would mean that a candidate for President would have to be about 61 or younger to run.
You applaud him for deciding at 80 years old that he’s too old to run for the election when he should’ve decided that 20 years ago? I’m done giving people credit for doing fucking nothing.
OK, do you want an 80-year-old nurse or MD taking care of you cuz I’m a nurse and I wouldn’t want to be out there working on something highly technical at 80 yrs old but I guess that’s cuz I know more about that shit. Do you want an 80-year-old pilot and 80-year-old copilot flying your plane too?
Not all 87-year-old people are the same not all 65-year-old people are the same.There’s a high incidence of cognitive decline with age. It’s a Known fact of human existence. Pointing that out is not ageism it’s reality.UR Dad is the exception,not the rule.
Not saying they should run the country but my parents are both 80yo retired docs. They still treat 3rd world patients twice a year across the world, golf and travel often, garden extensively, & party. I’d let them work on me & if they fought hard as shit for my rights I’d let them do that too.
Not for nothing but if a senator is voted in at 60 as a United States, Senator,their term is over in six yrs. So by then they’d be 67 y/o. We need younger ppl. I am old and I am saying we need younger people. It’s not even about ageism powerful older people suck & want to destroy everything.
Do you want an 80-year-old man flying your airplane with an 80-year-old copilot? u can’t get so lost in defending ageism that you do not understand that everyone has cognitive decline with age. There are certain jobs in this world that require people to be as sharp as a tack and that’s just a fact.
Can you please just stop? You are going to take one example of someone who was capable of doing that and apply it to all of society? You know absolutely nothing about cognitive function if you think that 80 year-old should be flying commercial airline. Go find something else to do.
Ageism can be and I agree 60 is too young.
65 is not.
We force pilots to retire at 65 and they are responsible for one plane of people.
A senator is responsible for a lot more.
Thank you. It's possible to agree that it's time for somebody to step down, appreciate their service, and then NOT GRIPE about their age. It's maddening.
60 is fine, but he was mid 70's last time he ran. And memorized knowledge of procedure and tactics is a lot less important now that everyone carries around the Internet in their pocket.
Amen to that. But I wish he would talk about the age issue. There is no shame in acknowledging the reality that at 80 you are not likely to celebrate another 10 birthdays and are contemplating what you want to do with your remaining years.
Not necessarily because the people with knowledge of how government operates leaves a void. This void is left open for lobbyists to gladly fill. Term limits is for the electorate to decide and not vote them back in power.
I don't want to be ageist, but considering you need to be 35 to run for President, why the heck not talk about upper age limits, or limits on time of service?
Youth is not a guarantee either. There should be a "mental qualification" required. Trump is an example of "blind voting". Too many people believed his 💩.
I disagree. Look at David Hockney, who is almost 100 years old and is making some of the best artwork of his life. You have to admire wisdom. People that are 70 are like people that used to be 50.
Unlike an artist a senator is representing likely millions. Pilots have to retire at 65 commercially because it’s a danger to the passengers.
Same should be for constituents.
They have proven time and again to not have the ability to recognize when they should step down
Feinstein and granger anyone?
Ray Kurzweil is mentally still going strong at 76. He just came out with a new book. I remember 20 years ago. He talked about perhaps living to be 250 years old and we would need at least two or three careers to not be bored.
Oh yes, and someone asked me if I would go on an airplane that was piloted by an 80 year-old. Sure I would if they had taken the proper eye exams and were tested like taking a driver’s test. And I looked it up. There are quite a few pilots over 80.
Well, I would be open to a six year term at 70. That would bring someone to about 76 at the end of their term in politics—or a 72 six your term that would end at 78.
Have every member of the House and Senate pass a physical and mental fitness test every year. 35-year-olds? 45-year-olds? 75 year old? All of them. Assuming that somebody is not mentally fit solely because their age is bigotry
I do like the idea of the young debating the older politicians. It keeps the older politicians on their toes & lets them do the research on what’s happening in the world. For example, do the 76-year-olds have the same belief in science? Science is changing rapidly and you have to keep up with it.
I'm a long time HR consultant and former HR professor, and mandatory retirement ages have been a problem for quite some time. In fact, I did a bit of a study of countries and organizations with mandatory retirement Ages which include a lot of large colleges and universities.
Also funny how no one wants to scream bigotry for making someone be at least 25 for house, 30 for senate and 35 for president.
You don't get it both ways.
No, It should be the same age for Social Security reitrement which can be at 62. That should be the age limit for the US Congress, Supreme Court and Presidency.
The right time varies... bc some older people r amazing (ex: Bernie Sanders). And younger people need time to build knowledge, wisdom, authority, & the seniority it takes to get major committee assignments. So we need a mix in Congress. That said, I do support term limits, especially on the SCOTUS.
Bernie Sanders has long been a mentor and advocate for younger members in Congress: @aoc.bsky.social
@frost.house.gov
and many others.
@schumer.senate.gov not so much. Chuck is clinging to his power and donor grifts with his bony hands until he dies or is successfully voted out.
#FuckSchumer
We've had more than enough from politicians stuck in the past who can't see the importance of the moment. Everyone who will not fight needs to step aside for those who will.
I knew he'd be retiring after he helped Schumer shoot down the only chance Senate Dems had at reigning in Trump. Every Dem who voted for cloture on the budget is retiring. They fucked us over and are slinking their useless asses out the door.
Is that after using their inside knowledge to fatten their nest eggs at our expense. Are any investigator journalists up to going back a time to see what they bank accounts were when they were elected and now?
Not every Dem who voted to betray us and vote for the Trump-Musk resolution is retiring. Here's my list from right after the vote. I'm glad Durbin decided not to run again, but plenty were not up for re-election in 26 and have no excuse for their cowardice. Gillebrand & Schatz huge disappointments.
How did I already know this in March when he voted for the Continuing Resolution? Weird. I made this spreadsheet in 3/25 and updated after the House vote on the SAVE Act & added those people 4/17/25
So I've know that Dick wasn't running a full month prior to his announcement. How can that be?
While I give him credit for passing the torch, HE. IS. 80. The torch is out, it is cold, it should have been passed a long time ago. Kudos for passing it, but HE. IS. $%(#ing 80 #agelimits
I also wish others would do the same. I do dislike the ageism comments that often arise, and appreciate that you didn't tack that on to the end of your comment. - signed, someone in their eighth decade
It's about effective versus ineffective at this juncture. It's probably why we lost in almost every demographic and now with a 27% approval rating. Dialing it in doesn't work and never will.
Sen Durbin was always more shrewd an operator than his laconic Midwestern style let on. He should have been made Leader a decade ago. Sir, you served Illinois well, you looked after the farmer & factory worker, teacher & IT professional as best you could.
Long overdue for this candy ass with his "I knew the evidence against Iraq was fabricated by Bush** but I couldn't say anything because I was bound by secrecy" four years after the fact. Durbin is emblematic of what's wrong with too many Dems.
Thank you for your service and for passing on the torch. It is time for the youth of the nation to start moving in to governing. I will do my best to support any progressive young candidates.
About damn time. I'm 65 and from my POV anyone over 65 in a public office, especially for YEARS, needs to get over themselves and step down. This country needs new blood in government and has for a while. We wouldn't be where we are currently if the old white male ego knew when to step aside.
I'm going to be a little bit more generous. It's needs to be mandatory retirement at age 75 for your politicians, senior bureaucrats and judges.
In my country Canada, our Supreme Court Justices and our Senators (appointed) have mandatory retirement at age 75.
I'm not to concerned with judges. But our Congress has been on the decline (GOP) since Reagan. He started the "trickle down" & that is when the corporations started to gain so much control. There are still 33 in Congress from that era. They get the power postions & stop progress. Look at us now.
If Chuck Schumer resigns now (his term ends in January 2029) Gov Hochul could appoint his successor. Time to pass the torch to AOC if Hochul does the right thing.
Part of the issue here is that ppl are not running for office. Consistently and powerfully. There may be a Citizens United variable in getting them out as well. The oldsters need not run, but they. can. also. be. beaten. out.
Comments
Now it's time for IL to come up with some good candidates to choose from! We need a brawler!
This could be a good spot for Kinzinger to run? Probably doesn’t want to though
They’ll get goddamn Ditka out there to run even if he’s 85
https://www.leafly.com/strains/durban-poison
Term limits are needed.
But you're ok with the Burn it All Down fauxgressives..
How'd that work for us huh?
Those Dems you piss on gave America their all.
You should be offering a thank you.
They didn't Burn it All Down, they built an amazing generous American Democracy
I'm a lifelong Democrat, and I will never forget or forgive him praising Chuck Grassley for how he ran Brett Kavanaugh's Confirmation Hearing.
That was ludicrous, and rather than respond graciously, Grassley insulted the Democrats and Durbin said NOTHING in response.(1/
And he should have retired at least five years ago.
Good riddance.
Hopefully he will act like he has nothing to lose and really get in the fight moving forward!
Hope it happens
that's way past time
IF, and that's a giant IF, there were incredible replacements being overlooked it'd make sense. But watching Republicans replace junk with nazi monsters should be more of a detterent to knee jerk 🤔
Do you remember “abandon the incumbent?”
Well, I do.
And it’s how Dems lose elections.
They’ve done it before.
We are now an authoritarian regime, or mere steps from one.
We need people who aren’t sabotaging us.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T-wZDF-WfNk&t=136s
As in, get the voters that aren't voting to vote.
Derailing the train that gets you closest to your destination isn't effective. And THAT is why Dem.s lose. There's enough weaponized disinformation already.
You: Yay! We'll win the presidency because we have a young candidate!
You (after Election Day): Uh oh....
Maybe ageists should just not vote. Bigots should avoid the ballot box.
Should have happened a decade ago.
I'm sick to death of lifetime politicians
Durbin has faced intense criticism and is bowing out so that he can take the fall and remove culpability from his party for capitulating to fascism.
Unanimous consent means every Dem has betrayed their oath of office and helped the GOP.
#primaryeverydemocrat
We were going to primary him anyway.
He's a vote with djt Democrat.
Tell your Rep. and Senators this:
1. Call for impeachment. Loudly. Daily.
2. Visit the concentration camps in El Salvador and demand to see your constituents.
Or don’t ask for money…
The recent govt shutdown CR vote showed us that it's time.
Let's go, Dems. We need new voices and fighters!
Senator Mike Bennett also quitting the Senate to run for Colorado Govenor
As Dems are to be replaced, Dems have to be alert for those wolves in sheep closing who run in races as Dems then quickly switch to GOP or call themselves
He’s 87. Flying has been his hobby for over 60 years.
We need diversity in age as much as the rest. The elders have to mentor the youth.
I bet some of you were cheering on Al Greene a few weeks ago.
Al Greene is 77.
65 is not.
We force pilots to retire at 65 and they are responsible for one plane of people.
A senator is responsible for a lot more.
Kamala Harris will be 60 years old this year. I wish she was the president.
let young minds in
but I teach and train young people also
We have to mentor at this phase of life
Same should be for constituents.
They have proven time and again to not have the ability to recognize when they should step down
Feinstein and granger anyone?
https://www.popularmechanics.com/science/a61777484/2045-singularity-ray-kurzweil/
but it's time for Term limits
McConnell collapsed months ago
several died in office like Diane Feinstein, Ruth Ginsberg
The older elected officials need to have several people in the wing, training them, mentoring them, bring fresh ideas in.
I look for the senior Senators to come up with detailed plans on the economy
funding healthcare and SS
Trade
Subsidies
Taxation
Debt buy down
You don't get it both ways.
It is safety.
Who is Sanders mentoring
Who is Schumer and Warren mentoring
I enjoy teaching and training young people now, it's their world we in our late 70s and 80s are turning over to them.
@frost.house.gov
and many others.
@schumer.senate.gov not so much. Chuck is clinging to his power and donor grifts with his bony hands until he dies or is successfully voted out.
#FuckSchumer
We've had more than enough from politicians stuck in the past who can't see the importance of the moment. Everyone who will not fight needs to step aside for those who will.
So I've know that Dick wasn't running a full month prior to his announcement. How can that be?
Though I hate to lose him.
VP chair stated last week they are cutting off funding to relics that have became a growth in their seats.
But sure, this was not health issue, the vote weeks ago, or possible lose in funding but "informed" decision....🙄
Praise option left with that BS vote. 🖕
Somehow I am getting the feeling you are referring to Schumer.
Just a hunch.
🗣️ RETIRE NOW!!!!
There's no way an 80 year old can keep pace let alone care about something that matters to an 18 year old.
IT IS TIME FOR US TO STEP ASIDE
In my country Canada, our Supreme Court Justices and our Senators (appointed) have mandatory retirement at age 75.
His legacy is American Fascism.
Now howzabout kickin' some Putinist GOP 🎯 on the way out? 😎 🌊 @durbin.senate.gov
Finally, a GOOD decision from Dick.
I am with Ron on Durbin, he read the room and is stepping down.
Hey, Rep. Lauren Underwood (@underwood.house.gov).
Please.