United States: Amid President Biden’s 81st birthday celebration where he pardoned Thanksgiving turkeys at the White House, concerns have surfaced among US voters regarding his age, considering his status as the oldest US president and the potential pursuit of re-election at the age of 86.
President Joe Biden marked his 81st birthday on Monday with the traditional turkey pardoning ceremony at the White House. However, simultaneous to the celebratory event, apprehensions regarding his advancing age and uncertainties among American voters have arisen.
National polling agencies have conducted various polls indicating significant apprehension among American voters about Biden, who currently holds the title of the oldest president in US history. If re-elected for a second term, he would be 86 by the end of his tenure. Reports highlight that his age is a major concern for many American voters.
Reports from AFP emphasize these worries are fueled by a series of incidents, from occasional balance issues on Air Force One’s steps to at times appearing to ramble during press conferences.
Comparatively, despite being 77 years old, former President Donald Trump has not instigated similar concerns among voters. Trump and Biden are set to confront each other in the upcoming presidential elections in 2024.
David Karol, a government and politics professor at the University of Maryland, mentioned to AFP that President Biden hasn’t faltered in his performance, but faces the challenge of altering public perceptions regarding his age.
“He remains cognitively sharp, but there’s this prevalent perception,” Karol conveyed to the news agency.
Biden’s Attempts to Address Concerns
In moments where mishaps occurred, Biden humorously distanced himself, stating, “I just want to clarify to the press, that wasn’t me,” after a reporter tripped during a union workers’ gathering in Illinois. He added, “I might look 30, but I’ve been around for quite a while.”
At times, Biden has leveraged his age to project himself as a seasoned and dependable political figure, implying that growing older brings wisdom. However, if re-elected, he would surpass the age of the last record holder, Ronald Reagan, who concluded his presidency at the age of 77.
Insights from Polls
According to a recent ABC/Washington Post poll, seventy-four percent (74%) of respondents felt President Biden was too old for a second term. Similarly, around fifty percent (50%) held the same view regarding Donald Trump.
Furthermore, a Yahoo or YouGov survey highlighted that fifty-four percent (54%) of Americans believed Biden lacked “the competence to fulfill the duties of the presidency,” a marked increase from forty-one percent (41%) recorded during the 2020 elections.