Nikki Haley’s call for competency tests for politicians over the age of 75 for office was “absurd” and ageist, according to Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT).
The Daily Wire reports, while announcing her presidential bid in South Carolina last week, Haley made the call. As an 81-year-old former presidential candidate himself, Sanders told CBS News on Sunday that voters should look at a candidate’s ideas rather than their age to determine their competence.
Bernie Sanders also made similar comments on Stephen Colbert’s “Late Show” Monday that Haley’s plan for mandatory tests of the mental acuity of politicians over the age of 75 was “nothing more than old-fashioned ageism” and “not acceptable.”
In response, Haley defended her proposal for mental competency tests, saying during a campaign event: “Bernie Sanders lost his mind because I asked for that. He is exactly the reason we need it.”
Haley isn’t the only person calling for mental competency tests.
President Trump upped the stakes on Tuesday, calling for mental and physical competency tests for ANYONE seeking to be President.
President Trump stated, “ANYBODY running for the Office of President of the United States should agree to take a full & complete Mental Competency Test simultaneously (or before!) with the announcement that he or she is running, & likewise, but to a somewhat lesser extent, agree to a test which would prove that you are physically capable of doing the job.”
He continued, saying, “Being an outstanding President requires great mental acuity & physical stamina. If you don’t have these qualities or traits, it is likely you won’t succeed.”
Sanders vehemently rejected Nikki Haley’s proposal of mandatory mental competency tests for politicians over the age of 75, claiming that voters should focus on a candidate’s ideas rather than their age to determine their competence for office. Despite this, Haley held firm and President Trump echoed this sentiment by calling for these tests even more broadly; he wanted to make sure that anyone seeking the role of President was top-tier both mentally and physically. It is certainly essential that we are 100% sure our leaders are fit enough to lead our nation before they assume office.
