During the Financial Times Weekend Festival, Hillary Clinton addressed the valid concerns Americans may have about President Joe Biden’s advanced age, particularly in light of his recent stumble and near fall on stairs during the G7 summit in Japan. Clinton acknowledged that while previous presidents have fallen without causing significant alarm, Biden’s age remains a noteworthy issue that people have the right to consider, saying:
“It’s a concern for anyone. We’ve had presidents who had fallen before who were a lot younger, and people didn’t go into heart palpitations… But his age is an issue, and people have every right to consider it.”
At 80 years old, Biden holds the record for the oldest president in U.S. history. Consequently, his age, physical fitness, and mental acuity are anticipated to be significant campaign topics, with both Republicans and a substantial amount of Democrats questioning his suitability for the presidency. If he secures re-election, he would be 82 upon Inauguration Day and 86 at the end of a potential second term in office.
According to NBC News polling data, President Biden faces significant challenges in 2024. Despite receiving a record-high number of votes in 2020, many Americans do not perceive Biden as a unifying president. Only 23% of those surveyed believe he is effectively bringing the country together.
The polling data worsens when it comes to perceptions of Biden’s honesty, trustworthiness, and crisis management abilities. Only 34% of respondents consider him honest and trustworthy, and just 32% trust his ability to handle a crisis. There are concerns about Biden’s mental and physical health. Only 28% of respondents believe he is fit for the job in terms of health, and merely 31% view him as a competent and effective president. These figures indicate a lack of confidence in his overall capabilities.
According to The Blaze:
Hillary Clinton believes Americans are right to be concerned about President Joe Biden’s old age.
Speaking at the Financial Times Weekend Festival on Saturday, Clinton fielded a question about Biden stumbling and almost falling down some stairs while in Japan last week for the G7 summit. Financial Times editor Edward Luce described the event as a “heart-stopping moment” because “these things could be consequential.”
Unsurprisingly, Clinton couched her comments in praise for Biden, who Democrats believe is the only person standing between Donald Trump and his return to the White House.
“I obviously hope he stays very focused and able to compete in the election, because I think he can be re-elected, and that’s what we should all hope for,” Clinton said.
At 80 years old, Biden is the oldest president in U.S. history. If he wins re-election, he would be 82 years old on Inauguration Day.
His age — and physical and mental acuity — will become one of the key issues in the campaign, as many Republicans already doubt Biden’s fitness for the presidency.
Hillary Clinton’s acknowledgment of concerns about President Joe Biden’s age, along with recent NBC News polling data, underscores the substantial challenges he may encounter in 2024. His age, physical fitness, mental acuity, and suitability for the presidency are expected to be significant campaign issues, with skepticism from Republicans and Democrats alike.
The polling data indicates low confidence in Biden’s ability to unite the country, his honesty, trustworthiness, crisis management skills, overall health, and competence as a president. These factors contribute to the ongoing debate about his capabilities and may shape the narrative of the upcoming election, as many questions if Biden is competent enough to fill the role of President of the United States.
