Former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, a presidential candidate, has called for “mandatory mental competency tests for politicians over 75 years old.”
“We’ll see the permanent politician finally retire,” Haley said in a campaign speech last month, discussing generational change. “We’ll have term limits for Congress.”
The U.S. first lady had something to say about that.
On Monday, First Lady Jill Biden called Haley’s idea “ridiculous.” She even talked over a CNN interviewer specifically to slam Haley.
“Nikki Haley, one of the Republican candidates, is calling for mental competency tests for politicians over the age of 75,” the interviewer said. “What do you think about that? Would your husband ever take one of those?”
“It’s ridiculous,” First Lady Biden, 71, interrupted. “I mean, we haven’t even discussed — we would never even discuss something like that.”
However, the interviewer pushed the first lady to acknowledge Americans’ concerns about President Biden’s advanced age.
“Now your husband is 80 years old. If he wins a second term, he will be 82 at inauguration,” the CNN anchor said. “What do you say those people who say maybe he’s too old to be president? Are those fair questions and conversations to be having?”
“Look at what he’s done. Look at what he’s doing. Look at how, physically, he’s got this good bill of health from the doctors to his physicals. But how many 30-year-olds could travel to Poland, get on the train, go nine more hours, go to Ukraine, meet with President (Volodymyr) Zelensky? His energy level, his level of passion,” the first lady said, accepting the premise of the question.
“So, look at the man. Look what he’s doing. Look what he continues to do each and every day, and make your decision. It’s up to the American people.”
Haley, 51, became governor of South Carolina at the age of 38. Afterward, she served as former President Donald Trump’s ambassador to the U.N.
Take a look at the first lady’s defensiveness —
Jill Biden says it’s “ridiculous” to give cognitive tests to politicians over the age of 75 pic.twitter.com/uQtnXHOV55
— Daily Wire (@realDailyWire) March 6, 2023
The first lady also discussed President Biden’s potential campaign for re-election. She said that Hunter Biden’s scandals would have “no” bearing on the president’s decisions about whether to run again.
She also dismissed concerns about her 80-year-old husband exhausting himself on an intensive campaign.
“I think every campaign is grueling. I don’t care whether you’re 20, 30, or whatever age,” the first lady said. “You’ve been on a lot of campaigns. You have to see the difference between even 10 years ago or today.
Regarding a campaign, she described Biden’s re-election talk as a “rolling conversation” rather than a “family meeting.”
“Last time, we did have a family meeting, and we’ve had family meetings other times,” the first lady said. “It’s sort of rolling, just because of the pace of our lives. So, if I can grab two grandkids here and say, ‘Hey, what’re you thinking about?’ Or our daughter.”
Still, the first lady is “absolutely” expecting President Biden to run again.
Take a look —
During an extensive sit-down with CNN, Jill Biden said she “absolutely” believes her husband will run for reelection in 2024, saying she’s “all for it.” https://t.co/vc17ATLCyK pic.twitter.com/EAZyLDH5SC
— CNN (@CNN) March 7, 2023
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