July 29, 2019 | by Chris Cillizza and Lauren Dezenski

Is Joe Biden too old to be president?

Joe Biden is 76 years old. If he wins the White House in 2020, he will be 78 years old when he takes office.

That would make him the oldest first-term president in American history -- eclipsing, by eight years(!), the record set by Donald Trump when he was elected in 2016 at age 70.

While Biden allies insist he is totally and completely healthy, his performance -- listless and, at times, just behind the beat -- at the first debate performance added to the whispers that maybe time had caught up with the former vice president.

As The New York Times wrote today:

"As Mr. Biden prepares for the next debate this Wednesday night, which will include a rematch with Ms. Harris, he and his advisers are grappling with how to make sure he doesn't appear so shaky, cognizant that a repeat performance could do lasting damage to his campaign and erode his advantage in the polls. Several advisers emphasized that Mr. Biden is in excellent health, and said he will be more prepared to defend his record and more willing to draw contrasts with his opponents than he was at the June debate."

Polling provides a mixed bag on the question. More than 6 in 10 (63%) said they would be willing to vote for a candidate over 70 years old in Gallup polling in May.

Of course, that means almost 4 in 10 people would not vote for a candidate over 70. And out of the 12 character traits Gallup asked about, a president over 70 years old ranked third in terms of how it would negatively affect voters' decisions. Only an atheist presidential candidate (60% would vote for) and a socialist candidate (47%) scored lower.

What's less clear is whether Biden's age (or that of Bernie Sanders, who is even older than Biden at 77) matters as much or at all, given that Trump will be 74 years old on Election Day 2020.

That is a question for the general election, however. And Biden needs to get there first.

The Point: It's hard to imagine any candidate overtly asking the age question of Biden in this week's debate. But there are ways to raise the issue without really raising it -- "it's time for a new generation of leadership" etc. -- that a candidate or two might try.

-- Chris

QUOTE OF THE DAY

"I was down there also, but I'm not considering myself a first responder. But I was down there. I spent a lot of time down there with you."

-- Donald Trump associating himself very closely with 9/11's first responders.

ONE BIG NUMBER

107

The number of House Democrats now calling for an inquiry into the impeachment of President Donald Trump. (The number has climbed after Robert Mueller's testimony on Capitol Hill last week.)

CHRIS' GOOD READS

An in-depth look at Pete Buttigieg's transformation from war protester to military veteran

Connie Bruck profiled Alan Dershowitz

Inside the Trump memorabilia machine, with Alex Isenstadt

You had me at "brain-eating amoeba"

Bleacher Report grades every NBA team's offseason

MUSICAL INTERLUDE

NEW Of Monsters and Men album is out! HOORAY!

THE MOST AMBITIOUS CROSSOVER EVENT IN HISTORY

Duchess of Sussex Meghan sat down with former first lady Michelle Obama for a Q&A, featured in British Vogue's storied September issue. The Duchess guest-edited this year's edition.

The two riffed on advice for Obama's daughters, her charity work and the lessons of motherhood.

"Being a mother has been a masterclass in letting go," Obama wrote. "Try as we might, there's only so much we can control. And, boy, have I tried – especially at first. As mothers, we just don't want anything or anyone to hurt our babies. But life has other plans. Bruised knees, bumpy roads and broken hearts are part of the deal.

"What's both humbled and heartened me is seeing the resiliency of my daughters. In some ways, Malia and Sasha couldn't be more different. One speaks freely and often, one opens up on her own terms. One shares her innermost feelings, the other is content to let you figure it out. Neither approach is better or worse, because they've both grown into smart, compassionate and independent young women, fully capable of paving their own paths."

LAUREN'S CAMPAIGN TRAIL LATEST

Kamala Harris: Introduced a health care plan that would put the US on the path toward government-backed health care but include a role for private insurance.

Joe Biden: Came out swinging against Harris' health care plan, with his campaign spokesman calling it "the have-it-every-which-way approach."

Bernie Sanders: Also knocked Harris' health care plan, as his campaign spokesman said it was "bad policy, bad politics."

John Delaney: Proposed a mandatory national service plan that would be compulsory for all Americans upon high school graduation or upon turning 18. It would provide two years of free tuition at a public college or university, and three years of tuition for those who extend their national service to two years.

Elizabeth Warren: Rolled out a sweeping new trade plan that would defend American jobs by negotiating to raise global labor and environmental standards.

YOUR DAILY GIF

From Brenna: "Henry Kissinger is very excited about the State Department's 230th anniversary! Share The Point with someone you know who likes celebrating impressive yet arbitrary milestones!"

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