Now that the midterm elections have ended, analysis has been pouring in as to what happened, what should happen next, and what it all means. But there is an underlying current in this election that has not been exposed on a massive level: age. Once upon a time, the Democrats used age as a issue to try and vote out Republicans who were “old and out of touch”. However, when you look at the age issue now, the Democrats appear to be the geriatric party.
To be fair, the two oldest House members of the 111th Congress are Republicans, but then look at composition of House members above the age of 70. 36 are Democrats, compared with just 18 Republicans. And it’s not just the fact that the 36 Democrats are old; these Democratic members compromise most of the House leadership and committee chairmanships. Nationally recognized Democratic figures like John Dingle, John Conyers, Charlie Rangel, Pete Stark, Ike Skelton, Maxine Waters, Henry Waxman, departing David Obey, Barney Frank, John Lewis, and the three biggest Democratic leaders (Nancy Pelosi, Steny Hoyer, and Jim Clyburn) are all 70 or older. What’s worse is that some of the youngest members of the Democratic caucus were defeated in the mid-term election (most notable locally, one Frank Kratovil from Maryland). Compare to the younger Republicans leaders: Dave Camp (future Ways and Means Chairman) is 57, Darrell Issa (future Oversight Committee Chairman) is 57, Paul Ryan (future Budget Committee Chairman) is 40, likely Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy is 45, and incoming Majority Leader Eric Cantor is 47. Even Speaker of the House, John Boehner is relatively young at 60. Only Jerry Lewis appears to be the oldest of the possible incoming Republican leadership at 76, but there’s no guarantee he will get back a committee chairmanship he once held because of Republican rules.
And it’s not just the House when the Republican youth movement is being seen. Look at the U.S. Senate. The three oldest senators who survived the midterm elections are Democratic (and that doesn’t include Arlen Spector who was voted out or Robert Byrd who died in office at the age of 92). Then look at the Republicans who are incoming to the US Senate. Marco Rubio from Florida is 39. Mark Kirk from Illinois is 51. Rand Paul from Kentucky is relatively young as well. Now, the Democratic Party may still be overall younger in the Senate, but if they are, it’s not by much.
And then there is the Governor’s mansions. Perhaps the biggest turnover of the night from Republican governor to Democratic governor was in California and it was accomplished by 70+ year old Jerry Brown, who once upon a time was the youngest Governor in the State’s history. Of course, the White House is occupied by a young President Obama, but if something happens to him, old Joe Biden is waiting in the wings.
But it’s not just Democrats in Washington. One of the staunchest allies to the party is the NAACP. And although their leader is young, the Executive Board (most notably one Julian Bond) is comprised of some of Dr. King’s lieutenants in the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s. Jesse Jackson is now at least in his late 60s as well.
And it appears to be a worldwide movement to go to younger leaders. In Great Britain, the leaders of the three main parties are all in their 40s, including the defeated Labor Party who jettisoned 59-year old Gordon Brown after their losses. Even the repressive North Korean regime is looking at a 29-year old successor to the man I mockingly refer to as “Lil’ Kim”.
The Democratic caucus, particularly in the House, will need to get younger leaders soon. Heath Shuler is making an attempt to take the top leadership away from Nancy Pelosi. But for now, perhaps the Democratic caucus will not refer to Republicans as “old white dudes”. Maybe just “white dudes” at least until younger leaders like Chris Van Hollen and Heath Shuler are ready to take over.
