Some "just stay forever": Retiring rep. takes swipe at aging politicians

• Biden's exit made President-elect Trump the oldest presidential nominee in U.S. history, with the latter also attracting scrutiny over his age.
• In Democratic circles, the election results have fueled waves of finger-pointing and soul-searching, with some calling for generational change among the party's leaders.

Driving the news: Kuster, 68, threw down a gauntlet in favor of ushering in new political leadership in an interview with the Boston Globe out Thursday, telling the paper she hoped to "set a better example" by retiring.

• "I think there are colleagues — and some of whom are still very successful and very productive — but others who just stay forever," she added.
• Kuster noted that she wished Biden had chosen to exit the race sooner.
• She added that she was "just not the best gladiator" to help take on the new Trump administration.

Kuster announced her plans to retire back in March.

The big picture: The national discourse over America's aging gerontocracy goes far beyond the executive branch.

• The revelation earlier this month that Rep. Kay Granger (R-Texas) had been living in an independent living facility in Texas sparked fresh debate about Congress' aging members.
• Recent health challenges from octogenarian leaders Nancy Pelosi and Mitch McConnell have only fueled the fire.
• Neither a representative for Granger nor the White House immediately responded to Axios' request for comment regarding Kuster's remarks.

Zoom out: House Democrats recently elected several new, younger committee leaders ahead of the incoming Trump administration.

Go deeper: Congress' age debate reignites over member living in retirement home