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Campaigns of Death 2020

Death and Taxing


America is engrossed by death, obsessed by it.  We even brand our water Liquid Death, in order to murder our thirst.

Our death obsession might explain some of the more popular candidates in this year's presidential election.  First and foremost is The Donald, who is the oldest person ever elected into the presidency, 70+, and would be the oldest person ever re-elected at 74+.  Ronald Reagan, another media personality, previously held the record, being less than three weeks shy of 70 and 74 when he became president for the first and second times.

Democrats are proving they can field even older candidates.  Bernie Sanders, the current leader in the polls, would be over 79.  Michael Bloomberg would almost be 79, too.  Even the youthful Elizabeth Warren would be 71, which would still set a new record.  And former Vice President Joe Biden would be an easy 78.  This is the oldest field of presidential candidates in the history of our country, by far.

Since the average lifespan of an American is less than 79, this election begs the question, will the candidate live?  It is public knowledge that the two oldest have heart conditions, one is obese, and the stress of a presidential political campaign can tax anyone.  It is also said that one year being president ages the person about seven years.  What are the odds of the next president dying of natural causes in the White House?  Such a thing is not unprecedented; as many president have naturally died in office as were assassinated, four each.  That is nine percent.

Currently, there are no Las Vegas odds for this kind of event.  Laws aside, this may be due to the uncertainty of who will win in November, and there are betting odds for that (see above).  However, it seems strange that there is no betting on which candidate might not live through the campaign.  In 2016, Bernie started to look like he was running on fumes toward the end of the primaries.  Four years and a heart attack later, he must endure another nine months of marathon campaigning.  He's a survivor, as are the others, but this election might be harder on the Democrats than the 1968 election campaign (remember the Chicago convention?) or the 1972 campaign (remember Ed Muskie, crying in New Hampshire?).

Think of this year's election like 'Survivor: Election Special' where there are betting odds.  Perhaps, the British bookies will put betting death lines on candidates.  The Russians would most certainly do so, but few gamblers would bet given the Russian penchant for rigging the game.

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