Chuck Grassley wants everyone to know that he might be the most physically fit 89-year-old in all of Iowa. In a fierce battle to save the seat he originally won in 1980, he has posted videos of his early-morning runs, performed push-ups at public campaign events, and produced an advertisement praising his health. It seems like a wise decision for a man who would be 95 by the time his tenure finishes, putting an end to questions about his suitability for the position.
What if, though, the worry about a seasoned politician’s age is less about the possibility that the candidate would pass away or become incapable, and more about whether seeking another term at a time when practically everyone else has retired is simply plain conceited and greedy?
Whether or not they have any specific ties to the Hawkeye State, public authorities in this geriatric-run city should pay attention to Grassley’s test of that question.
Unlike some of his Senate colleagues, like California’s Dianne Feinstein, Grassley has never been the subject of rumors that he is going crazy. He hasn’t missed a lot of time due to serious health difficulties like a number of other senators have, including much younger politicians like 50-year-old New Mexico Democrat Ben Ray Luján, who had a stroke. His advertisement boasts of having the finest Senate attendance record.
However, a recent poll that has stunned political experts in the state reveals that voters have grave concerns about Grassley’s age. According to the survey, conducted by the reputable Iowa polling company Selzer & Co., Grassley was only 3 points ahead of Mike Franken, his Democratic opponent. In the meantime, the poll, done in conjunction with the Des Moines Register, showed that the Republican governor of Iowa was leading her contest by 17 points.
