Democratic Senate hopeful says he wishes Biden, 81, was '10 years younger': Rep. David Trone tells supporters the president does 'talk slower' and 'move like he's older,' but still insists he is doing a great job

Rep. David Trone, a Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate in Maryland, was frank to a group of voters when discussing President Joe Biden's age, saying he wished the president was '10 years younger.' 

At 81, Biden is the country's oldest president and his advanced age has become one of the 2024 race's defining issues.  

While some Democratic candidates have tiptoed around the age question, Trone chose to talk about it head-on while addressing the Queen Anne’s County Democratic Club in Stevensville, Maryland on Wednesday. 

'I wish he was 10 years younger - OK, I got it,' Trone said, according to video obtained by Politico for Monday's edition of Playbook. 'Who here doesn't? I know I do. I really do. But you know - what it is, it is. We do the best we can.' 

Trone also argued that Biden was 'working and firing on all cylinders.' 'Does he talk slower? Yes. Does he move like he's older? Yes,' Trone continued. 

Rep. David Trone, a Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate in Maryland, told a group of voters Wednesday that he wished President Joe Biden was '10 years younger,' according to a video clip obtained by Politico 

Trone, photographed last year, owns with his brother the chain of alcohol retailers, Total Wine & More, headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland. He is vying for Maryland's open Senate seat being vacated by Democratic Sen. Ben Cardin

Trone and his brother own the chain of alcohol retailers, Total Wine & More, headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland. 

Speaking about his own experience, he told voters the important thing is who you hire. 

'But I'm a CEO all my life,' he said. 'People who run the things are the smart people youy hire, the people around you.' 

'And getting great people in all those jobs, as many as you can - that's how the government works, is through others,' he added. 

The Biden administration has had far less turnover than the White House under Trump, Biden's likely rival on the 2024 general election ballot. 

But without the same level of chaos and palace intrigue, much of the critical coverage of Biden has been linked to his gaffes and stumbles. 

Polls also show that Americans are wary that Biden, who will be 82 by the time he's sworn-in for a second term, could carry on for an additional four years.  

Trone is vying for the Senate seat being vacated by Democratic Sen. Ben Cardin, who is retiring. 

So far he's running against Angela Alsobrooks, the chief executive of Maryland's Prince George's County for the Democratic nomination. 

On the Republican side, former Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan has jumped in.

When Politico asked Trone about his remarks on Biden's age, he stood by them. 

'I often say I wish I was 10 years younger,' Trone said. 'I also often say Joe Biden is doing an incredible job, which is exactly what I said in the unedited version of this video.'