Talk:Oldest living United States president

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[edit] William Howard Taft

Why exactly is he on the list twice? Snuffles72 01:04, 9 March 2007 (UTC)

  • Footnotes are your friend :) See [1] — MrDolomite • Talk 01:33, 9 March 2007 (UTC)

Where is Lincoln?—Preceding unsigned comment added by 75.8.107.109 (talk • contribs)

He was never the oldest living president. He died while there was still a former President alive who was older then him. The same goes with Kennedy and several others.--President Elect 12:22, 24 April 2007 (UTC)


[edit] A bit trivial to be displayed on EVERY president's page that holds this title?

This title seems rather trivial... why not "tallest/heaviest living president" or "most promiscuous living president" or perhaps "most recent world leader born on the third Tuesday in May of a year divisible by 17"? Rdraugho 19:48, 4 May 2007 (UTC)

In one breath you call it trivial and in the next you ask a question as though you're interested (the Jefferson question below). Seems like you've answered your own question. My thought is this, who the oldest living and earliest serving preidents are for a given time evokes imagry of the elder statesman, it gives us some perspective about how involved the recent past is in the present (or the present of the past for that matter). I've probably confused this more but just bear in mind the words "elder statesman" that's the best I can sum it up.--Dr who1975 17:52, 4 May 2007 (UTC)
I never said I'm not a fan of trivia (that's why I stumbled onto this in the first place) - I just questioned whether it was a little too trivial of a title to be included amongst the other, loftier and officially bestowed titles held by U.S. presidents. I'd be willing to bet that there has never been any sort of public ceremony to accompany a president's acquisition of the title "oldest president still clinging on to life", so it seems out of place. But what do I know? I've never held such a title. Rdraugho 19:48, 4 May 2007 (UTC)
Yes... nobody means title in that sense. I agree it's a bit much but still consider it mroe or less valid language.--Dr who1975 16:31, 5 May 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Should Jefferson be added?

Jefferson died on the same day as John Adams - but who died first? If Adams died earlier in the day, Jefferson would have held this title for a few hours. Rdraugho 19:51, 4 May 2007 (UTC)

Not sure this is worth a discussion however... I beleive the legend is that Adams siad on his death bed "Jefferson Lives" when in fact Jefferson had already died. Based on that... there was no period when Jefferson was the oldest living U.S. President. Somebody correct me if I'm worng.--Dr who1975 17:46, 4 May 2007 (UTC)
It's at least worth a footnote! Rdraugho 19:51, 4 May 2007 (UTC)
Actually, it;s not even worth a footnote if Jefferson died first. Jefferson was younger than Adams.--Dr who1975 16:29, 5 May 2007 (UTC)

[edit] The title

Perhaps this page should be "Oldest living former United States president; somehow I doubt that anyone will ever be elected who is older than all of his living predecessors–possible, but not plausible. —ScouterSig 05:09, 10 June 2007 (UTC)

If you look at the page... you'll see it's actually happened a few times, the last being Ronald Reagan. Former presidents are often still called presidents so I dont see the need to change the title.--Dr who1975 03:27, 17 July 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Jimmy Carter

Where's the entry for Jimmy Carter in the table of living presidents?—Preceding unsigned comment added by 74.101.171.228 (talk • contribs)

Carter is younger than H.W. Bush.--Dr who1975 03:22, 17 July 2007 (UTC)

this is the truth. Carter is older than George Bush.


That is right. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 209.175.178.246 (talk) 15:35, 7 April 2008 (UTC)