Despite the irreversible nature of time and the inevitable aging process, President Joe Biden, 81, has managed to shift the narrative surrounding his advanced age, one of his major general election liabilities. Biden’s recent vigorous State of the Union address and his surpassing of the required number of convention delegates to secure the 2024 Democratic nomination have significantly improved his standing.
State of the Union Address Resets Political Narrative
The president’s dynamic State of the Union address has partially reset the political narrative, offering a robust counter-image to the sometimes bewildered statesman who has previously confused countries and cited conversations with deceased European leaders. This counter-image is still yielding political dividends.
Special Counsel Report Sparks Debate
A report by special counsel Robert Hur, which cleared Biden of criminal charges for retaining classified documents post-vice presidency, described him as a “well-meaning, elderly man with a poor memory.” This characterization sparked a furor and reignited the debate over whether a younger Democrat should take the reins to challenge the presumptive GOP nominee, Donald Trump.
Transcript Release Reveals Different Reality
The 258-page transcript of Biden’s interview with Hur, released on Tuesday, shows the president occasionally flustered and searching for dates. However, it does not support Republican claims of advanced cognitive decline. The transcript also contradicts Democratic claims that Hur, a Trump-appointed former US attorney in Maryland, was a partisan out to trip up the president.
Republicans Fail to Prove Biden’s Mental Decline
During a highly politicized House hearing on Tuesday, Hur defended his findings and declined to support Republican claims of Biden’s mental decline. This suggests that Republicans may understand that targeting Biden’s age has lost some of its potency.
Public Perception of Biden’s Age
Despite Biden’s recent successes, public perception of his age remains a concern. Multiple polls show that most Americans believe Biden is too old to run. Even a majority of those who voted for Biden in 2020 think he’s too old to be effective, according to a New York Times/Siena College survey.
Looking Forward
Despite these challenges, Biden’s successful State of the Union address and the outcome of Hur’s inquiry have marked a significant milestone for his campaign. However, Biden must maintain his momentum for the next eight months on a grueling campaign trail against an unrelenting opponent.