Skip to main content

US election 2016: So Hillary Clinton has a cough. Who cares?

Here's what happened on the campaign trail the week of Sept. 12.
U.S. Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton speaks at a campaign rally in Greensboro, North Carolina, United States September 15, 2016, as she resumed her campaign schedule after a bout with pneumonia..  REUTERS/Brian Snyder  - RTSNY3Y

By law, candidates for the US presidency have to meet three requirements: be at least 35 years old, have resided in the country for at least 14 years and be a "natural-born" citizen. Nowhere does the US Constitution mention anything about having to be healthy, and yet that's all anyone seemed to be talking about all week.

As the election enters its final stretch, the candidates’ physical constitutions have become a top trending topic as their age becomes an issue. Donald Trump is 70, Hillary Clinton a comparatively sprightly 68, making them both some of the oldest candidates for president ever. (Ronald Reagan was the oldest president when he was elected in 1980 at 69 years old.)

Access the Middle East news and analysis you can trust

Join our community of Middle East readers to experience all of Al-Monitor, including 24/7 news, analyses, memos, reports and newsletters.

Subscribe

Only $100 per year.