08/21/2026
Jim Bleikamp here.
First of all, full disclosure: I am an old guy.
Secondly, congrats to Benjamin Kail of the Bangor Daily News for writing very well about a major emerging national issue.
The question boils down to this: How do we properly view aging on the part of powerful politicians in the context of an era in which many peop;le are lucid and productive well into their 80s and beyond?
I speak not only as an old guy but as an old guy who sees much value in the ascendance of very impressive young political minds at a time when too many of the senior persuasion are staying too long at the fair. Youg political minds like New York Mayor and Bowdoin College grad Zohran Mamdani and the soon to be congresswoman Melat Kiros in Denver.
But I also hate ageism, and I place considerable value on 80-year-olds like Senators Angus King and Ed Markey of Massachusetts--the latter is seeking re-election and has a substantial lead on his younger opponent--Congressman Seth Moulton. By the way, Bernie has also shown himself to be a productive senior citizen at the age of 85.
Our democracy is perhaps best served by a mix of smart youthful idealism and those old enough to have accumulated some significant institutional awareness and a grasp of the sweep of history.
Bottom line: I believe that every situation needs to be evaluated on its own merits.
Oh and you don't have to agree with Paul LePage to believe as I do that Matt Dunlap's campaign manager Harry Burke is WAY over the line to say that LePage is an "old man who isn’t capable of standing for that long in front of people clearly."
Whatever that means--and I'm not sure because it's not a very articulate use of the English language.
I would say that this time, Burke has said more about himself than LePage.
You may comment as you see fit--but try to keep it smart and thoughtful. Thanks.
The sharp words come as Democrats question whether LePage is just a bridge candidate to bolster President Donald Trump’s agenda during his final two years in the White House.
