Wayne G Fraser

Insurance Professional

• Mon ,06 2525
• 9 hours ago
• Last Updated : 11:50 AM

BMW legt in Österreich gegen den Trend beim Absatz von Elektroautos deutlich zu. Die Abgasvorschriften übererfüllen die Bayern – zumindest hierzulande. Aber auch V8-Motoren aus Steyr sind sehr gefragt.

• Mon ,07 2323
• 1 year ago
• Last Updated : 07:36 PM

In the whirlwind of American politics, President Joe Biden's first term has been nothing short of eventful. From the ongoing pandemic to legislative battles, the 46th President of the United States has faced numerous challenges during his tenure. However, as the possibility of another four years looms, the question on many minds is centered on Biden’s age, mental and physical fitness for office. Surrounded by silence from his own party, Democrats find themselves grappling with concerns over Biden's age and its potential implications on his ability to govern effectively. 

At 80, Joe Biden is the oldest president in U.S. history. If he were to serve a second term, he would reach the age of 86, surpassing any previous president in longevity by a considerable margin. This has sparked a wave of concerns among U.S. voters, as evidenced by a recent NBC News poll where 68 percent of respondents expressed worries about Biden's health, with 55 percent being "majorly" concerned. A USA Today/Suffolk University poll of Democrats and Independents revealed that 37 percent of respondents stated Biden's age as a factor that could deter them from voting for him in the future.

The concerns about Biden's age are not confined to partisan lines. According to a third poll from The Economist-YouGov, 45 percent of independents believed that Biden's health and age significantly limit his ability to perform his duties as president. Even within Democratic circles, the question of Biden's fitness remains a topic of discussion, leading to a complex reality of opinions.

The age issue is magnified when considering a potential matchup against former President Trump, who is just four years younger than Biden. The age of both candidates could come under scrutiny, leading to contrasting public perceptions. Polls indicate that 73 percent of respondents believe Biden is too old to be in office, compared to 51 percent who hold the same view about Trump.

Given that both Biden and Trump are at or near the 80-year mark, concern among voters is not surprising. However, to experts, evaluating a candidate’s fitness from TV appearances and media clips; is not as easy as it seems. In an article in the Harvard Gazette, expert Bonnie Wong, director of the neuropsychology program at Mass. General Hospital noted that cognitive differences as we age are normal. She explained that getting a bit slower at the age of 80 is an expected part of life and that assessing true fitness based on voter observation of a candidate’s public behavior is “highly unreliable.” (Harvard Gazette, 2023)

Yet still, observing a candidate's behavior to determine his ability to serve another four years is exactly what voters are doing when it comes to Biden, especially in the age of digital media. A quick search of the Internet reveals countless articles, YouTube videos, Tweets, and TikToks documenting Biden’s many falls, trips, and moments of apparent confusion. These incidents are numerous; Democrats generally downplay them by not acknowledging them or pointing to some other political issue to focus on. 

However, even if Democrats continue to ignore concerns about Biden’s age openly, swing voters may make the issue one that comes to the forefront of the 2024 campaign. In a recent focus group of swing voters who voted for Trump in 2016 and Biden in 2020, voters had harsh words regarding Biden’s age. 

"I hate to say it and sound like an ageist — his age is getting really up there," said one focus group member, “...Do we want to elect a president and have him die in office?" 

Republican strategist Sarah Longwell, who runs the focus group weekly, noted, "Immediately when they start thinking about 2024, the first place they go is his age. They are simply worried [Biden] is too old for another term," she said. (NPR, 2023)

Republic Titan Speaks Out

While mum is the word among Democrats on the issue of Biden's age, Republic bigwigs like Steve Forbes, the chairman and editor-in-chief of Forbes Media, are speaking out boldly.  Forbes made a prediction that has sent shockwaves through the political landscape. During a Friday morning appearance on Fox News' "America's Newsroom," Forbes asserted that President Joe Biden would not be the Democratic Party's nominee in the 2024 presidential election, despite the President's announcement of his reelection campaign in April of the same year.

Forbes' prediction was based on a combination of factors, primarily centered around concerns about Biden's age and his perceived ability to govern effectively for another four years. He highlighted the current state of the economy and public opinion regarding the President's leadership as key factors contributing to the doubts surrounding Biden's potential second term.

"You have a poor economy; you have a president people feel is not up to the job anymore, certainly not for the next four years," Forbes stated emphatically during the interview. "So I don't know what the scenario's going to be, but they cannot have him running in November of 2024." (Yahoo News, 2023)

Forbes' statement is not an isolated opinion, but the Republican Party as a whole finds itself treading carefully when it comes to addressing President Biden's age. There are certainly members within the GOP who openly criticize Biden's age and health; they must navigate skillfully to avoid alienating older voters who might interpret such criticisms as ageism. This delicate balancing act is further complicated by the need to attract a diverse range of voters, including seniors who have historically been a significant voting bloc for Republicans.

Political analysts and strategists counsel the GOP to adopt a more nuanced and tempered approach in their criticism of Biden. Instead of solely focusing on his age, the emphasis should be on addressing his policy decisions and mistakes, highlighting areas where the Republican party believes his leadership has fallen short. By steering away from age-related attacks and concentrating on substantive policy issues, Republicans can better engage voters across all age groups while still maintaining the moral high ground in political discourse. Moreover, the party must be cautious about not falling into the trap of ageism themselves, as this could backfire and diminish their credibility among voters who prioritize inclusivity and respect for all citizens. 

One approach that Republicans may take, and that Democrats need to be on the lookout for is drawing attention to their younger rising stars within the party. Highlighting the accomplishments and potential of young, dynamic leaders can counterbalance any criticism about Biden's age. By showcasing a new generation of conservative leaders, the GOP can create a narrative that they are a party of fresh ideas, innovative solutions, and diverse perspectives.

Walking the Line

Many within the Democratic Party and beyond have been grappling with concerns over Biden's age and its implications on his ability to carry out the demanding duties of a presidential campaign in addition to his current role as President of the United States. These concerns are further exacerbated by Biden being the oldest president in U.S. history, having assumed office at 78.

President Biden has adopted a self-deprecating approach to address concerns about his age, using humor to deflect the age factor during public appearances. In recent speeches, he has jokingly referred to himself as 198, 103, or 110 years old, seeking to downplay the issue and emphasizing his extensive experience in politics and the Senate. For Biden, the focus is on his immense responsibility as a world leader, with over 300 million lives depending on him. By embracing his years as a testament to his tenacity and seasoned leadership, Biden endeavors to project an image of wisdom and resilience to the American public, alleviating any doubts about his capacity to govern effectively in the land's highest office.

Biden’s approach may be working for now; over the years, presidents have served two terms that have come out looking dramatically different, and voters are genuinely concerned that it may be a gurney that President Biden comes out in. Also, the real test of age-related concerns about his candidacy might lie with swing voters. Swing voters have the potential to affect general election dynamics the most, particularly in a matchup against a Republican candidate like former President Donald Trump, who himself was 77 years old when he left office. Some political strategists argue that Biden's age may not be a critical issue given both candidates' seniority; others caution that swing voters could hesitate before casting their ballots for an older candidate, regardless of their opponent's age. The heightened scrutiny from the media over Biden’s potentially age-related gaffes and physical stumbles further complicates the matter.

Focusing on the Positives, but…

Throughout his first term, President Biden's supporters fervently cite his notable accomplishments as a compelling counterargument to the age-related concerns raised. Advocates passionately emphasize Biden's achievements in successfully forging bipartisan agreements, a feat that had seemed elusive in recent political climates. From tackling pressing and complex issues such as the economy and climate change head-on, Biden's experience in navigating the intricacies of governance is seen as a significant driving force behind his ability to deliver tangible results for the American people. These accomplishments not only bolster his leadership credentials but also lend credence to the notion that his seasoned experience has indeed made a resounding difference in the effectiveness of his presidency.

Despite these arguments, the silence from Democratic circles regarding Biden's potential second term is intriguing. The issue of his fitness for another term seems to be a topic not openly addressed among party leaders, leaving the public uncertain about the Democrats' stance on the matter. While some Democratic donors express concerns privately, others defend Biden's capabilities, downplaying the issue as media hype.

White House officials assert that President Biden maintains a disciplined schedule, avoiding strenuous activities and limiting media interviews that could lead to politically damaging mistakes. Although there are certain physical accommodations to ease his schedule, officials insist that these measures are typical for any president, regardless of age.

Experts and former officials who have worked closely with Biden offer varying perspectives. Some attest to his continued sharpness and commanding presence during private meetings, citing examples of trips abroad where he outlasted younger colleagues. Others point to his verbal miscues, which they argue are not new and have been a lifelong struggle due to a stutter.

Speculation Continues…Quietly

Steve Forbes' aforementioned prediction of a Biden replacement adds fuel to the speculation surrounding the President's future. It aligns with quiet whispers and text messages from large donors probing to see who the potential replacement candidate for Biden might be. This uncertainty is fueled by concerns that the campaign already lacks vigor, potentially indicating that Biden may not have the energy to handle the demanding duties of a presidential campaign while simultaneously tending to his current responsibilities as President.

On the flip side, Biden's campaign remains adamant that Democrats are unified around his historically successful agenda. Campaign spokesman Kevin Munoz cited early endorsements received by the campaign to build off Democrats' performance in the previous year's midterms. The campaign believes that juxtaposed against the MAGA Republicans seeking the presidency, who are fighting each other to the extremes on a rejected agenda, the contrast speaks for itself.

As the 2024 presidential race unfolds, the coming months will be critical for Democrats and President Biden himself. The administration must continue highlighting its achievements while addressing age-related concerns head-on. The Democratic Party will have to decide whether to rally behind their incumbent leader for a second term or explore newer, younger candidates. The only certainty is that the issue of age will remain a focal point of discussion throughout the upcoming political landscape. As voters and political analysts continue to weigh the implications of Biden's age, the outcome of the 2024 elections remains unpredictable, and the silence surrounding his potential second term only adds to the intrigue.

• Mon ,04 2424
• 1 year ago
• Last Updated : 05:16 PM

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