Age Question Hits Rep. Doris Matsui as Facebook Comment Suggests She Mentor Challenger Mai Vang Instead of Running
"I am 71, and you are about 80. I know that my capacities are slowly declining, and I wisely take that into account."
Congresswoman Doris Matsui was metaphorically told to move along in a comment on her Facebook page.
Matsui's Facebook post showed her taking an oath as she submitted her official paperwork for her reelection campaign to represent California's 7th Congressional District. Matsui has held her position since a 2005 special election to fill the vacancy left by her husband, Robert Matsui, who died while in office.
The following is what the commenter said on Matsui's Campaign Facebook page:
Dear Representative Matsui, you have served long and well. I am 71 and you are about 80. I know that my capacities are slowly declining, and I wisely take that into account. Yes, you have an ample and loyal staff to assist and support you. So will Ms. Vang, should she succeed.
You have an opportunity to act gracefully, and also to mentor Ms. Vang, who appears to be eminently capable and energetic. This would be a really great service to your constituents.
Not surprisingly, whether or not it's fair, Ms. Matsui and several other 80-plus-year-old politicians in both parties serving in the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives are attracting attention from young voters nationwide who want to see someone closer to their age. Somewhat surprisingly, many senior citizen constituents echo the sentiments of youth voters: that the time has come for Matsui and other elderly elected officials to turn over the reins of power, as today's youth will be affected for decades to come by the policies being made by polticians who will be dead in a few years.
As we have seen with other aging polticians, such as California's late Senator Diane Feinstein and Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley, regardless of party, some politicians don't know when their shelf life has expired.
Given the comments were made on a post showing Ms. Matsui submitting her campaign reelection papers, she has dug in her heels and is not letting concerns about her age get in her way.
