In a recent interview with "CBS Evening News" host Norah O'Donnell, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis expressed his concerns about the advanced age of both former President Donald Trump and President Joe Biden. DeSantis, who is also a 2024 White House hopeful, argued that an "energetic president" is needed in the Oval Office and that the presidency is not a job for someone who is 80 years old.

DeSantis, who is 44 years old, stated that he believes the age of Trump and Biden is a "legitimate concern" for voters. Trump, who is currently 77 years old, would be 82 years old by the end of his second term if he were to defeat Biden in the 2024 presidential race. Biden, who is 80 years old, is already the oldest president in US history and would be 86 years old by the end of his second term if re-elected.

While DeSantis acknowledged that there is nothing wrong with being 80 years old and that he knows many great elderly individuals, he emphasized that the presidency requires giving 100% effort and energy. He suggested that if the Founders were to reconsider, they may have implemented an age limit for certain offices.

DeSantis' concerns about the age of Trump and Biden are echoed by a majority of American voters, according to a recent Associated Press-NORC poll. The poll revealed that 77% of Americans believe Biden is too old to effectively govern if he were to win a second term, while 51% have similar misgivings about Trump's age if he were to win the 2024 White House race.

DeSantis believes that his relative youth will be an advantage in a head-to-head matchup against Biden in 2024. He predicts that many Americans will be eager to see a "generational passing of the torch" if he becomes the Republican nominee and Biden remains the Democratic nominee.

Age has become a prominent issue in the 2024 campaign, with Biden and Trump's ages being a focal point of discussion. DeSantis, along with other Republican candidates, has been highlighting the age gaps between themselves and the current and former presidents to argue for a new generation of leadership in Washington. A recent CBS News poll found that 80% of Americans believe elected officials older than 75 risk being out of touch with the times, and 78% have concerns about their ability to perform their job. Over half of Americans surveyed also believe that the presidency is too demanding for someone over the age of 75.

The issue of age and leadership will continue to be a topic of debate as the 2024 presidential race approaches. The American electorate will have to weigh the experience and wisdom that comes with age against the need for energy and fresh perspectives in the highest office of the land.