Reflections | Joe Biden’s age in perspective – at 81, China’s oldest imperial ruler gave up the throne
- Whether Donald Trump or Joe Biden wins the US election, they will be the oldest person ever inaugurated as president
![Viewers of the first US presidential election debate (above) were left concerned by Democratic Party candidate Joe Biden’s apparent dotage. At his age, 81, China’s oldest imperial ruler was stepping down, not taking power. Photo: Reuters](https://cdn.i-scmp.com/sites/default/files/styles/1020x680/public/d8/images/canvas/2024/07/11/0a38d4ea-ecb3-46ed-9318-21c14a54c5b6_8ceebb29.jpg?itok=iH9io-S3&v=1720692644)
The debate between Joe Biden and Donald Trump, televised live on June 27, was hard to watch but, like the car crash that it was, you just could not look away.
It was the first of two scheduled debates between the two presumptive nominees for the United States presidential election, to be held in November 2024.
Presidential debates have had a long tradition in the US, dating back to the mid-19th century, long before the advent of radio and television, but are they the best way for voters to gauge a candidate’s suitability for presidential office?
A debate that is conducted within a short, limited period of time precludes considered deliberation of policy issues, which are necessarily complex and multifaceted. Instead, participants often trade in sound bites and barbs (of which there were plenty on June 27), hoping to impress voters with their ability to think on their feet and their eloquence (both of which were in short supply).
![US President Joe Biden looks down as he participates in the first presidential debate of the 2024 elections with former president and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump. Photo: AFP/Getty Images/TNS US President Joe Biden looks down as he participates in the first presidential debate of the 2024 elections with former president and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump. Photo: AFP/Getty Images/TNS](https://img.i-scmp.com/cdn-cgi/image/fit=contain,width=1024,format=auto/sites/default/files/d8/images/canvas/2024/07/11/4ae87633-738e-4c1c-97e5-b01515cddcc0_6deaac00.jpg)
![](https://assets-v2.i-scmp.com/production/_next/static/media/wheel-on-gray.af4a55f9.gif)