The world is watching as President Biden works to prove he is fit to serve four more years. Should Biden step aside? He doesn’t think so, but the Democrats are becoming increasingly divided on whether to continue to support him – raising tensions among members of the party.
His damaging debate
If you watched the June 27 presidential debate between U.S. President Joe Biden and former President Donald J. Trump, you witnessed Biden’s poor debate performance. Some media outlets likened it to watching a train wreck. Biden’s flubs stirred major concerns over his health and ability to lead. Speculation arose that our current commander-in-chief may be suffering from dementia. However, Alzheimers.org.uk has urged people not to offer diagnosis from afar. They share the following points:
- Diagnosis without proper medical assessment is unethical.
- The diagnosis will probably be wrong.
- It stigmatizes people living with dementia.
- It normalizes unhelpful language.
Dementia vs. normal aging
Dementia is a syndrome associated with many neurodegenerative diseases and is characterized by a decline in cognitive abilities. It is more than the “benign age-related forgetfulness” that seniors may sometimes experience during their later years. Basic age-related forgetfulness tends to be subtle, and progression is slow. In an example of age-related forgetfulness, an older person may temporarily misplace a car key. In comparison, dementia is more serious. For instance, an older person with dementia may be confused about what the key is for. Dementia is the result of declining brain function that negatively affects a person’s ability to perform everyday activities.
A word from the experts
Medical experts caution that it is ill-advised for people lacking medical backgrounds to jump to medical conclusions. They state that one cannot distinguish complex medical conditions like dementia from watching a debate. However, it is clear to the American public that President Biden has been facing moments of mental unclarity, and they have a right to be concerned. It’s natural that people seek leaders of sound mind to represent them. Thus, voters want answers as to why the president is stumbling at times. Per Business Insider, Biden’s campaign team “…offered various explanations for his debate performance, including jet lag, poor preparation, and a cold.” Biden’s team is working hard to ensure that faith is not lost in the President’s ability to lead.
More gaffes?
At a recent NATO summit in Washington, Biden incorrectly introduced Ukraine’s leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy as President Putin. Was the mistake a simple “slip of the tongue” or something more serious? During the President’s July 11 news conference, designed to show the public that he is fit for office, Biden read from a teleprompter and had a written list of reporters to call on for questions. During the televised conference, the president spoke of his determination to run for reelection, despite some Democratic lawmakers publicly calling for him to step aside. During the nearly hourlong news conference, Biden discussed foreign policy and other subjects including his health. The President made yet another gaffe by mixing up Vice President Harris and Trump when he said, “I wouldn’t have picked Vice President Trump to be vice president if she wasn’t qualified.” Another slip of the tongue or is his confusion indicative of a medical issue?
Aging candidates
It’s no secret that Joe Biden (age 81) and Donald Trump (age 78) are respectively the oldest and second oldest candidates running for President. With age as a hot topic, many Americans are entertaining the idea that presidents should be subject to regular physical and mental evaluations to include cognitive testing. In 2023, The Hill shared that several high-ranking Republicans were pushing for mandatory mental acuity testing, including then GOP presidential candidate Nikki Haley. Increasingly, more people support the idea of term limits for Congress and mandatory competency tests for politicians over 75 years of age. Donald Trump supports such examinations, remarking that he took a dementia screening test in 2020 and did well. He also described “acing” a more recent cognitive exam, designed to assess his mental awareness, reasoning and memory.
Discussions abound
Democrats are dialoguing over whether to replace Biden as their nominee. However, for now, most feel compelled to stand by the President as previously pledged. First Lady Jill Biden continues to support her husband’s candidacy. In doing so, she is facing mounting criticism for failing to protect her husband in the wake of his poor debate performance. Some previous supporters of Biden, including actor George Clooney, have lost faith in the President’s ability to lead. Clooney is calling for Biden to step aside for the good of the party. Even Biden acknowledges he’s slowed down, admitting that he needs to pace himself despite heading into a busy 2024 election schedule.
No real backup plan
So, where do things stand? Biden’s weaknesses may benefit Trump and the Republican party in the election. Biden and his team are trying to prove that the President is capable of handling four more years in office. Meanwhile, Democrats are purportedly scrambling as they have no real backup plan. They are faced with the dilemma of supporting Biden or going with another candidate, perhaps Vice President Kamala Harris. However, not everyone is thrilled with Harris’ leadership, particularly as it relates to the border crisis. The VP also struggles with low approval ratings in the White House, causing a lack of enthusiasm about her. Should Biden step aside? Some Democrats say yes, and some say no. We must wait and see how this plays out – as only time will tell.
This article is an opinion piece intended to promote free thinking. It is not intended as a medical resource, nor has it been medically reviewed. Rather, the information provided is for general informational purposes only.
It speaks volumes that Clooney wants him to step aside for the sake of the “party “ and not the sake of the country. Spoken like a true communist.
Neither Resident Robert L. Peters nor Ms. Harris is in charge of ANYTHING, which has been the case since they took office in January 2021. The question that needs to be asked, at every opportunity, and for which an answer needs to be demanded, is WHO is in the cabal that IS running the country!
Thanks for sharing this very good article, I am praying for Biden to remain ???????? for Thet cover-up Biden’s health problems
Biden’s mixing up Zelenski and Puin, as well as confusing His VP Harris with Trump, certify that Biden is NOT fit to be President, Now or Again !
The Dems are rushing to formally commit Biden as their candidate but I believe that the state primary process would require that unless he died or resigned. It was sad to see my mother declined in a similar fashion. Fortunately she voluntarily stopped driving and living independently. She is now totally dependent on others. That may be where Biden is headed but is not acknowledging his decline and his party is stuck with him.
The paragraph Dementia Vs Normal Aging helps to put some things in the proper perspective . And in the following paragraph A Word from the Experts , the sentence ” However, it is clear to the American public that President Biden has been facing moments of mental unclarity and they have a right to be concerned”. That sure enough is a fact ! Being concerned about how the President communicates is something of major importance . I have been a Reagan Conservative since 1980 — one of the main reasons I voted for Ronald Reagan was because of his high level, intelligent, clear way of communicating. Very good article D.J. , Well Done !
Yes he should. One more blunder and it is over and will happen. Can not remember what he says in mid sentence. The only reason he got the votes that he was the only one running. Trump is praying for Biden. So sad. He is gonna go out a loser and the country will lose… All because he can not give up power.
STAY TO LOSE!
When I was Bidens age, I had been retired for 18 years. What on earth is he waiting for?
Biden is Commander in Chief and must set an example for the military. Soldiers can’t slow down their pace, work 1000hrs to 1600hrs, travel less, have no meeting past 2000 hrs, etc. Just a thought because I think about our military a lot. We need to treasure and respect them.
Should Biden step aside? Yes. Will he? Not a chance.
He was not meant to lead or act independently His handlers could not foresee that his abilities would deteriorate while in the office and are now in a pickle What to do with or about him? Wife likes what she became and will not leave without kicking and screaming