Staff Reports
As Joe Biden considers whether or not to seek re-election in 2024, Democratic insiders are reportedly expressing reservations about the president’s age and mental state. According to a recent Politico report, these doubts remain consistent behind closed doors, as many Democrats are hesitant to voice their concerns publicly. Rep. Dean Phillips expressed admiration for Biden, but noted that his age could be an issue. “He’s a president of great competence and success; I admire the heck out of President Biden,” Phillips said. “And if he were 15-20 years younger it would be a no-brainer to nominate him, but considering his age it’s absurd we’re not promoting competition but trying to extinguish it.”
Top Democrats harbor real concerns about nominating somebody who’ll be 82 at the start of his second term but the threat of Trump and trepidation about the @VP keeps them quiet
At least in public:https://t.co/yK7vMMja64
— Jonathan Martin (@jmart) February 16, 2023
An anonymous senator cited in the report claimed that only a small number of their colleagues actually want Joe Biden to run for re-election, and that the Democratic party must find a way to align the president’s interests with their own in order to get him to step away from the demands of the office. This sentiment is further supported by a survey conducted by Issues & Insights/TIPP in August 2022, which found that 59% of Americans expressed concern about Biden’s mental health.
The president is expected to make an announcement about his intentions in April, but many Democrats are worried that Biden may not have the energy required for a full-fledged campaign tour. During the 2020 campaign, the Biden team was criticized by Republicans for frequently ending their candidate’s day early and limiting his interactions with the media, leading to accusations that he was being kept in a metaphorical “basement.”
The latest medical examination of Joe Biden by his physician Kevin O’Connor described the president as “vigorous” and “healthy,” with only minor issues reported. However, former White House physician Ronny Jackson recently called for a cognitive examination of Biden after another public appearance where he appeared lost. These appearances have caused many to question the president’s mental state, as he appears dazed and confused on stage.
Ultimately, while Democrats may have reservations about Joe Biden’s age and mental state, they are choosing to keep their worries behind closed doors. With Biden expected to make an announcement about his intentions in April, the Democratic party must find a way to align the president’s interests with their own in order to get him to step away from the demands of the office. This will be a difficult task, as many Americans have expressed concern about Biden’s mental health and ability to sustain the energy required for a full-fledged campaign tour. Only time will tell if Joe Biden will seek re-election in 2024, and how his age and mental state will factor into his decision.
The preceding article is a summary of an article that originally appeared on Daily Fetched
