Transcript for July 9

MR. RUSSERT: And we’re back. Two presidential birthdays this week. President Bush turned 60 last Thursday, and this Friday, former President Gerald Ford will be 93 years old. Our 38^th president talked about age, health and the presidency right here 31 years ago.

(Videotape, November 9, 1975):

UNIDENTIFIED MAN: Mr. Reston:

MR. JAMES B. RESTON (The New York Times): Mr. President, in the—in the early days of the republic, you know, the American people took great chances on young men in the presidency. Now here we are looking at ‘76 and most of the leading candidates are old geezers like me in their 60s. Now we seem to have misplaced a generation here somewhere. Can—is the system out of phase? What explains this?

PRES. GERALD FORD: I think age is a state of mind, and obviously a state of health. I’m in the early 60s. I feel as vigorous mentally and physically as I ever have at any time in my life. I don’t think you should rule a person out just because they’re my particular age. On the other hand, I don’t think you should rule out a younger person who by experience or intelligence or overall capability is a potential candidate. I don’t think you should categorize people just by age bracket. I believe you ought to look at the person, how strong he is mentally and physically, and what his experience and what his background in. That’s the criteria that I would use.

(End videotape)

MR. RUSSERT: Happy, happy birthday, President Jerry Ford, and also happy birthday to another American legend. Thirty-eight years ago, Eunice Shriver founded the Special Olympics. She turns 85 tomorrow.

And we’ll be right back.

(Announcements)

MR. RUSSERT: For more information on today’s guests and topic, logon to the viewer resources page of our Web site, mtp.msnbc.com.

That’s all for today. We’ll be back next week at our regular time. If it’s Sunday, it’s MEET THE PRESS.

MORE FROM MEET THE PRESS

Meet the Press Section Front

Nov. 29: Rick Warren, Bill & Melinda Gates Nov. 22: Senate roundtable, Brinker, Snyderman Nov. 15: Clinton, Duncan, Gingrich, Sharpton Nov. 8: Casey, Barbour, Rendell, roundtable, Brokaw Nov. 1: Tim Geithner, David Plouffe, roundtable Oct. 25: Cornyn, Schumer, Burnett, Sorkin, roundtable Oct. 18: Jarrett, Dodd, Kyl, Shriver, Podesta Oct. 11: Levin, Graham, McCaffrey, Myers, roundtable Oct. 4: Ambassador Susan Rice, roundtable Sept. 27: Bill Clinton, Paterson, Kyl, Webb Meet the Press Section Front   Add Meet the Press headlines to your news reader: