As of Sept. 18, “for the first time in centuries, lawmakers are no longer expected to suit up to conduct business on the U.S. Senate floor,” The New York Times announced in a Sept. 19 news story.

Specifically, Senator Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y. (and the majority leader), “has established a new dress code, or rather, done away with the old one – allowing members to take a more business-casual approach to their workwear,” the NYT noted.

The change involved directing the Senate’s sergeant-at-arms that the previous policy — that all senators must be clad in business attire when on the floor — is no longer to be enforced.

In a statement, Schumer, who once again showed signs that he thinks he is truly enlightened, said the following:

 “There has been an informal dress code that was enforced. Senators are able to choose what they wear on the Senate floor. I will continue to wear a suit.”

Positioned in the news section, the supposed NYT news story then opined the following:

“The modification is, in many ways, a bow to reality. In recent years, there have been plenty of senators who have departed from the suit-and-tie uniform that for decades was considered the only acceptable attire... It most clearly reflects the influence of Senator John Fetterman, the 6-foot-8, tattoed, first-term Democrat from Pennsylvania....”

To all of this foolishness, we say... not so fast... As this edition was headed to the printer, we saw a headline, “Now Dems are saying ‘nay’ to Senate’s relaxed dress code,” adding that Schumer’s new casual dress code “appears to be hanging on by a thread.”

Instead, let Fetterman, as every senator coming from the gym would do, toe-in and give a thumbs-up or thumbs-down to vote.   

Republicans believe they’ve found the winning argument for 2024. 

They can’t argue with President (Joe) Biden’s record, because most of his legislative victories had the help of Republican votes. 

They can’t make the case that the economy’s a disaster, because it’s not. It’s stronger than ever.

Nope. Republicans are basing all their hopes for 2024 on one argument alone: Joe Biden’s too old to be president. Which, you must admit, is a real issue. Right or wrong, for most people, there’s something about “80” that automatically means “over the hill.”

But which is also about as hypocritical as you can get. After all, if 80 is too old, what about Donald Trump? He’s 77 now. He’d turn 80 as president were he re-elected in 2024. Why no issue with The Orangeman’s age? 

Or what about Chuck Grassley, now 89, re-elected in 2022 at age 87, and already running for re-election?

And how about Mitch McConnell, whom Republicans were quick to rally behind, insisting he’s still up to the job despite two brain freezes on camera? Does the age argument just apply to Democrats?

Clearly, Republicans are trying to make political hay with Biden’s age because they have nothing else to run on. But let’s be honest. For Biden, the problem with the age issue is not criticism by Republicans. It’s all the worrying, if not outright panic, on the part of Democrats — whom Obama 2012 re-elect campaign manager Jim Messina recently called “a party of bedwetters.”

In fact, there are probably more Democrats fretting about Biden’s age than Republicans. 

I hear it all the time: from friends, from family, from elected Democratic officials: Joe Biden’s too old. 

He looks old. 

He talks old. 

He walks old. 

If only he’d step aside and pass the torch to the next generation.

Which is not crazy. Again, it’s a real issue. We’d probably all be more comfortable in 2024 with a younger nominee. 

But it’s also time to face reality. Which is this: Joe Biden’s not going anywhere. He’s not going to drop out. He will be the Democratic nominee in 2024.

So, with all due respect, here’s my advice to my fellow Democrats: KNOCK IT OFF! GET OVER IT! DEAL WITH THE FACTS!

Fact Number One: Joe Biden has done a helluva job. He knows how to get things done. 

Other presidents have promised to pass legislation to rebuild our infrastructure. Joe Biden did it. 

Other presidents have promised to end the war in Afghanistan. Joe Biden did it. 

Other presidents have promised to force pharmaceutical companies to negotiate lower prescription drug prices with Medicare. Joe Biden did it. 

Other presidents have avoided or opposed doing anything about guns. Joe Biden worked for and signed the first gun safety legislation in 30 years.

And “Bidenomics” is real. Thanks to incentives included in the infrastructure and CHIPS legislation, 35,000 new road and highway construction projects are underway. 

Thirteen million new jobs, including 800,000 manufacturing jobs, have been created. 

America’s enjoying an apartment construction boom not seen since the 1970s. Venture capital firms and private investors are flocking to new clean energy firms. Private firms have launched new high-speed rail projects in Texas and Florida. 

Wages are up, consumer spending is up, and inflation is down.

In two years, Joe Biden has accomplished more than most presidents have done in eight. He’s the most effective president since FDR. He’s running for a second term. And he’s earned it.

Fact Number Two: It’s not how old a person is that counts, it’s whether they’re fit for the job. Nancy Pelosi was an effective Speaker until she was tossed out at age 82. Pope Francis hasn’t slowed down at age 86. Warren Buffett’s still one of America’s leading and most active business leaders at age 93. And, no doubt about it, at age 80, Joe Biden is up to the job of president: stronger, more physically and mentally fit than many people 20 years younger.

Fact Number Three. Yes, things could change. Joe Biden could change his mind, or Donald Trump could be behind bars, both of which are unlikely. So that defines what the 2024 election will be all about. Not a vote on whether Joe Biden’s too old. But a choice. A dramatic choice: between competence and incompetence, between truth and lies, between the lawmaker and the lawbreaker, between democracy and demagoguery.

It doesn’t matter how old Biden is.

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