Congressman and presidential candidate Eric Swalwell (D., Calif.) ripped former Vice President Joe Biden for his age in an early back-and-forth exchange in the Democratic debate on Thursday night. He referred to a past Biden comment where he called on our leaders to "pass the torch" to a new generation of Americans.
"I was six years old when a presidential candidate came to the California Democratic convention and said it's time to pass the torch to a new generation of Americans. That candidate was then-Senator Joe Biden," Swalwell said. "Joe Biden was right when he said it was time to pass the torch to a new generation of Americans 32 years ago. He is still right today."
Swalwell continued to list several hot-button issues and repeated that it was time for Biden to allow a younger generation to take on the responsibility of addressing them.
"If we are going to solve the issues of automation, pass the torch. If we are going to solve the issue of climate chaos, pass the torch. If we're gonna solve the issue of student loan debt, pass the torch. If we're going to end gun violence for families who are fearful of sending their kids to school, pass the torch," Swalwell added.
"I'm still holding that torch," Biden shot back, defending his age. Last year, he said that age was a "totally legitimate" issue to raise with presidential candidates.
President Donald Trump became the oldest elected president at 70 years old.
Biden will be 78 years old on Inauguration Day in 2020.