Election 2024: Addressing the Question of Joe Biden's Age
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Joe Biden is old. Should we be worried about that? President Joe Biden is now 81, making him the oldest president ever to hold office. While this is a fact the president is not keen to publicize, it is one that is surely looming on the minds of Americans. According to a poll conducted by AP News, 77% of Americans considered the president to be too elderly. Recent often recurring political gaffes have many voters wondering if Biden is too old to effectively lead the country. However, this is not as simple of a question as it is made out to be, and we should ask when we can separate age from ability to recognize the wealth of experience that comes with a seasoned leader.
Age alone should not be the sole criterion for selecting a president. Instead, it’s important to holistically analyze the mental acuity and governing capabilities of a prospective leader. Here, Biden has a mixed record. Depending on who you ask, his governing record has been relatively positive: the economy is strong, and he has succeeded in passing the largest infrastructure bill since Eisenhower. Despite that, his gaffes seem to dominate the minds of many voters. Recently, special prosecutor Robert Hur found that Biden held on to classified documents long after leaving the Obama administration because Biden is an “elderly man with a poor memory”. While trying to dismiss allegations, the president referred to the president of Egypt, Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, as the president of Mexico.
While these errors seem like ones only a forgetful, elderly man would make, it's worthwhile to remember that Biden is not the only politician to make such mistakes. In fact, his general election opponent, Trump, has made similar recent errors, confusing the president of Turkey for that of Hungary, and Nikki Haley for Nancy Pelosi. I personally find it puzzling that many pundits are quick to label Biden as mentally unfit, but never compare Trump’s incoherent rambles and raves to that of a delirious old man. Admittedly, however, the fact that many voters find this behavior worrying is not completely without merit. So, when assessing competency it’s important to analyze Biden's performance as a whole.
In fact, I believe that Biden has consistently demonstrated his capability and ability to govern. Biden’s extensive political career, spanning decades, allows him to bring a unique degree of experience to the oval office. Before becoming vice-president, Biden served in the Senate for 36 years. This deep understanding of the intricacies of governance cannot be understated, especially in times of crisis. While there has been the looming threat of several government shutdowns, Biden has consistently avoided the government shutting down and has managed to pass bipartisan spending bills. Furthermore, despite chaotic Republican threats and turbulent political landscapes, Democrats have remained unified, an achievement that Biden surely deserves credit for. In times when unity is crucial, his ability to bridge gaps and find common ground is one that transcends age.
Additionally, the president's age has also failed to hinder him from performing on the global stage. Biden has taken a hard line against China while forcefully standing behind Ukraine. In the Middle East, Biden seems, for better or worse, poised to reshape the geopolitical landscape. This includes military strikes against Iran, a significant security alliance with Saudi Arabia, and the recognition of a Palestinian, a set of actions that policy expert Thomas Friedman calls the Biden Doctrine. This grand vision to reshape the Middle East is hardly a red flag for dementia. Instead, it demonstrates Biden's wealth of experience allows him to make the grand geopolitical plans.
Critics argue that Biden's age might compromise his ability to keep up with the demands of the presidency, particularly in a fast-paced, technology-driven era. However, his administration has proven adept at leveraging technology and modern communication tools, ensuring that the administration remains responsive and adaptive to the needs of the American people.
Ultimately, you don't have to support every policy of the President. However, criticisms should be based in a nuanced understanding of policy, not ageist claims of incompetency. Age alone does not determine a leader's effectiveness; rather, it is a combination of experience, resilience, and adaptability. I believe Biden embodies these characteristics. As the nation navigates through complex challenges, having a leader with a deep understanding of governance and a proven track record of service can be a source of strength, one that should transcend any concerns about age.