US (Washington Insider Magazine)—In a politically charged development, a 345-page special counsel report has brought Joe Biden’s age and mental acuity to the forefront as potential liabilities for his reelection campaign. The report, released Thursday, concluded that the president would not face criminal charges for mishandling classified documents after leaving the vice presidency in 2017. However, the findings also suggested that Biden’s age—he’s 81—and memory lapses could influence public opinion as the 2024 election approaches.
While the special counsel, Robert Hur, found no criminal intent, he pointed to Biden’s age and memory as significant factors in his decision not to prosecute. Hur noted that Biden, when questioned, struggled to recall details of his vice-presidency and even key events, including the death of his son, Beau Biden, and the years he served as vice-president. The report stated that a jury might view the president sympathetically, describing him as “a well-meaning, elderly man with a poor memory.”
This report has reignited concerns over Biden’s ability to serve another term, a topic that has lingered since his first election. With polling consistently showing that many voters view Biden’s age as a significant concern, Republicans have already seized on this issue, using it to challenge his competence.
The Biden campaign is trying to address these worries head-on. During an impromptu press conference, the president vehemently defended his mental capacity, declaring, “I know what the hell I’m doing.” However, a recent verbal stumble—referring to Egyptian President Mohamed al-Sisi as the president of Mexico—only added to the narrative of age-related missteps.
The report has intensified the debate about Biden’s fitness to run for reelection. Critics argue that his age is a hindrance, while supporters contend that the president’s experience outweighs any concerns about memory lapses. Biden’s response to the special counsel’s report, which included a passionate defense of his memory, underscores the ongoing challenge he faces in overcoming doubts about his ability to serve another term.
Further complicating matters, Biden’s opponents, including former President Donald Trump, are not immune to similar critiques. Trump, who is also 77, has made multiple verbal missteps of his own, with some pointing to his recent confusion of political figures as evidence of his own age-related challenges.
Political analysts suggest that Biden’s age will continue to be a point of contention through the election season. However, Larry Sabato, director of the Center for Politics at the University of Virginia, believes that concerns over Biden’s age are already well-established in the race. He notes, “People already knew this about Biden. Even if you casually watch five minutes of a speech, you already know this.”
With nine months remaining until Election Day, the real question will be whether issues like the economy and abortion will overshadow concerns about Biden’s age or whether the ongoing discussion of his memory and fitness for office will persist as a key issue.
As the President’s campaign ramps up, it remains to be seen whether he can overcome the mounting challenges to his reelection bid. One thing is certain: the road to November 2024 will be marked by continued scrutiny of Joe Biden’s age and mental clarity.
