Many Democratic officials are concerned about President Biden’s age, not because of his ability to perform in a second term, but because of his ability to win a second term. The American government has functioned without a healthy president before, such as during Franklin Roosevelt’s ailing in 1944 and 1945 and Ronald Reagan’s mental decline. In each case, White House aides, Cabinet secretaries, and military leaders performed well despite the lack of a fully engaged leader.
The real issue is whether Biden’s age will prevent him from winning a second term. If enough voters are turned off by the idea of an 86-year-old president, Republicans could win full control of the federal government in 2024, and Donald Trump could return to the White House.
The author acknowledges that it may sound strange, but the reality is that age is a significant factor in politics. Biden’s age could be a liability, and Democrats are right to be concerned.
2023-04-26 05:38:35
Link from www.nytimes.com