To the editor:

At 77, Joe Biden could become the oldest person ever elected president. Given his age, some observers suggest he should promise to retire after serving one four-year term. So far, he hasn’t made that pledge. It’s understandable that he doesn’t want to rule anything out. But it’s also reasonable to think that he may bow out after one term.

Given that scenario, whomever he chooses as his running mate could very well become the Democratic Party’s nominee in 2024 and possibly the next president–assuming, of course, that Biden wins this November.

It’s no secret that many Democrats, especially younger ones, are not thrilled with Biden. They think it’s time for new blood. They also may not be thrilled that Biden could, in effect, be picking the party’s next nominee as well.

Perhaps Biden should pick a running mate who won’t run for president in 2024. That would leave the field wide open and give younger and more progressive Democrats a greater voice in the party’s future.

But how could we sure that Biden’s vice president wouldn’t seek the top job in 2024? What politician in such a favorable position could resist the temptation?

I can think of one: Barack Obama.

Indeed, the Constitution prohibits Obama from running for president again, since he already served two full terms. The 22nd Amendment, ratified in 1951, states that “no person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice.” But it doesn’t say anything about the vice presidency. Unless I’m mistaken, there’s no legal bar to Biden choosing Obama as his running mate.

President Trump has spent much of his time in the White House trashing Obama, often with lies, and wrongheadedly dismantling his policies. How fitting it would be if Biden/Obama trounced Trump in November and then set things right again.

And if Joe were to step aside partway through his term and make Obama president again, I wouldn’t complain.

Phil Brown

Saranac Lake