Almost no one knows more about American politics than Michael Barone. And I’m honored to report Mr. Barone wrote in to The Buzz to give us all some good history on politicians like Joe Biden who have been elected to the U.S. Senate before turning 30:

Rush Holt, Sr., of West Virginia, was elected to the Senate in November 1934 at age 29. He was not allowed to take his seat until June 1935, when he turned 30. His son, Rush Holt, Jr., is currently the Congressman from the 12th district of New Jersey.


Henry Clay, born April 12, 1777, was, according to the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress 1789-1989, "elected to the United States Senate to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of John Adair and served from November 19, 1806, to March 3, 1807, despite being younger than the constitutional age limit of thirty years." Clay's biographer Robert Remini, in the excerpt I checked, gives no reason why Clay was seated despite his age.


You might ask, why are there age limits in the Constitution at all? Why didn't the Framers trust the legislatures (who elected senators) or the voters (who elected representatives) to choose anyone of any age?


I have been doing some research in 17th century English politics and think I have the answer. In the 17th century large landowners and other powerful figures regularly elected their sons or dependents to the House of Commons through "rotten boroughs," which had as few as 4 voters. There was no age limit. Some MPs were under 21 and one, as I recall, was 14 — and they were seated. Perhaps the Framers wanted to prevent powerful local notables from electing their children to Congress.