With the 2024 presidential election approaching, American voters are more and more concerned with President Joe Biden’s advancing age. His health, too, has developed into an important worry. Recent surveys indicate that approximately 77% of Americans believe Biden is too old to serve another four years in the White House. If he wins re-election, he will be 86 by the end of his second term. This calls into question his fitness to serve in the high-pressure, high-stakes job of president.
The apprehension surrounding Biden’s age is compounded by reports of cognitive decline, which his family and closest advisers allegedly attempted to conceal. The president’s roundtables are very restricted in their hours, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at most. This limitation limits his constituent services and is an albatross to many voters on the other side of the aisle. Members of his own cabinet haven’t seen Biden up close for months. This has created more fodder for speculation on his inability to effectively hold office.
Extended media interviews with Biden have been even more scarce, adding to worries over transparency about his health. Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson, the authors of Original Sin, would have you believe that there’s a cover-up of President Biden’s health problems. They think that this scheme has been very much orchestrated by those around him. They describe Biden’s inner circle as operating like a “politburo” that seeks to control the narrative surrounding the president’s capabilities.
“To see what is in front of one’s nose needs a constant struggle,” noted George Orwell, a sentiment that resonates deeply with the current political climate as many Americans grapple with the reality of Biden’s leadership.
Democrats are still in a very touch-and-go place. The party now suffers from one of the worst images in American politics, with only 37% of voters responding favorably and 63% unfavorably. Additionally, Biden’s decision to seek re-election has not garnered widespread support, with many commentators and constituents questioning whether he should stand aside for a new candidate.
Jill Biden is a natural in the role of First Lady. In fact, she’s been touted as a potential candidate for office herself. Vice President Kamala Harris is widely viewed as the heir apparent to Biden. She would be far from the strongest candidate many believe her to be. That’s because unlike their Republican counterparts, Democrats can afford to have the perception of a highly planned and coordinated strategy.
Timothy Garton Ash has warned, “Unless Joe Biden stands aside, the world must prepare for President Trump 2.0.” This simple but poignant statement captures the high stakes of Biden’s re-election bid. If the Democratic Party ignores the deep, urgent calls for change they will do so at their own peril.
Chuck Schumer, the leader of the Democratic caucus in the Senate, has fielded criticism for his advanced age too. He is a few years older than Konstantin Chernenko, one of the Soviet Union’s oldest leaders. This unfortunate comparison is a reminder of the deep concern about the future of leadership within the party.
As Biden’s age and health dominate discussions surrounding his candidacy, it remains unclear how these factors will affect voter sentiment in the upcoming election. The Democratic establishment is under increasing pressure to confront these criticisms directly, not try to sweep it under the rug.