Biden-Trump rematch? No thanks, says Bakersfield, but if we must choose …

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — Four years after Americans sized up the major party presidential candidates and cast votes in record numbers, we’re experiencing a collective sense of deja vu. And a significant number of us don’t seem especially happy about it.

There hasn’t been much doubt over the past three months, but it’s all but certain now. Barring dramatic new health concerns or legal obstacles involving one of the two oldest presidents ever to seek a second term, this November it will again be 45 versus 46 – Donald Trump versus Joe Biden. Again.

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Trump will be 78 years old on Election Day. That would make him the oldest ever to seek the office — except that this likely opponent, Biden, will be 81.

Though many Americans say age is their biggest concern, the Bakersfield residents we talked to cited other reasons for pause.

They were paying more attention to Biden’s ability to run the country rather than the number of candles on either man’s next cake.

“I think the Democrats are stupid for putting up somebody who’s not even doing the job, or can’t do the job as president right now,” said Cameron Longacre, who was walking into Barnes & Noble with his son. “But Trump – hopefully people are smart enough to vote for him again because he had the country running right. Gas prices were down and the economy was good.”

Kathi Bostain wasn’t concerned about age, either. Not Biden’s, anyway.

“It doesn’t matter to me because I’m a Biden girl,” she said. “He’s been one of the best presidents we’re ever had. They need to get it out there and let everybody know. The economy, and just being level-headed. He knows everything about everything going on around the world. It’s all common sense and good leadership.”

Juliana Suarez wasn’t a big fan of the rematch.

“We’re pretty much messed up no matter what,” she said. “No matter who comes in (first). I feel like we’re struggling with Biden and we’re going to struggle again with Trump. I feel like with Trump having all of his court issues, maybe Biden (is the better choice). But we’ll see, we’ll definitely see.”

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Adam England wasn’t ready to commit to either candidate. But he has already identified the loser in this mess – the American voter. His preference:

“Something not so polarizing,” he said. “I think our country is tearing itself apart. But I think we don’t have great options either way, And I think the issues are more middle of the road than people realize. Instead we end up turning on our neighbors rather than building community and supporting each other.”

But what about the two men’s advanced ages? Well, consider this. While the stress of serving as president tends to accelerate a person’s aging, a 2011 study from the University of Illinois at Chicago found that U.S. presidents — at least the ones who weren’t killed by assassins — have tended to live longer than American men who were their contemporaries.

Can anyone envision a 90-year-old president? Maybe let’s not go there.

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