Joe Biden

Apparently 70% of Americans don't want him to run again. And certainly not up plane steps. He keeps stumbling.

Mine too if the alternative is, as predicted, the ghastly Trump.

He is certainly better than the alternative, so Biden would get my vote.

I had high hopes for Hillary Clinton …

They seem to elect, many times, elderly men. Ronald Reagan was certainly elderly, quite popular for unknown reasons. Same to Eisenhower and other elderly white men - perhaps a woman would be acceptable?

Age in itself should be no bar to holding high office, provided that the incumbent still has both the mental and the physical wherewithal to efficiently meet the demanding requirements of the job. The growing debate in the U.S.A. right now, even among some Democrats, is whether or not Biden meets those criteria. I'm not sufficiently familiar with American politics, or indeed with Biden's current status to be able to judge that one, but the fact remains that to a significant portion of the American public, Biden is still identified as "the Trump-slayer", and that may well continue to bolster his credentials for candidacy, at least in the short term. Also from the little of what I do know of Stateside politics, I'm not aware of any convincing, popular alternative Democratic candidate. Power vacuums again. Sounds familiar?

I read Ms Harris's book and found I rather like her but am disappointed to see her not given more to do in the public eye...

Kamala hasn't disappeared. She declared she is running with him as Vice President.

I'm with Volver, while regretting the apparent absence of succession planning in American politics and wondering why Kamala Harris seems to have sunk from sight.

But too old, phooey. If I were American I'd have voted for Bernie Sanders any day of the week.

I would think Kamala Harris is probably more influential than Mrs. Biden in the decision making stakes. Where he goes, she goes, thank goodness. With her alongside we can just about get away with his having another term.

Totally agree Cg. Who else but a loving spouse, which I believe Biden's is, has truly got your best interests at heart? Being leader of the free world is about the most responsible and exhausting job in the world, very different from D. Attenborough, Clint Eastwood or indeed our late much loved Queen. I agree, Biden is just too old for such a burden, especially for another 4 years. Even Winston didn't go on that long.

volver3

Oh that's good.

"You're too old. Do what your wife tells you."

Do you hear yourselves?

Oh, rubbish.

No one is saying “Do what your wife tells you”.

Who else is close enough to see what impact another term might have on him?

Of course there is ageism inherent in some posts.

He runs; he cycles; he does weights, Films of him on, for example, plane steps show him practically running up and down them. His schedule for recent visits to Ukraine and Poland, and to Northern Ireland and Ireland don’t suggest that he tires easily. He appears to have no balance issues.

So where does doddery come from?

If people are referring to his gaffes, they don’t seem to have worsened with age; he has been renowned for them pretty much his entire political career. The same is true for the pauses in his speech, which are the result of controlling a stammer.

He’s a skilled consensus builder, which, it feels to me, is no bad thing in the present day USA. I do have issues with some of his domestic and foreign policy positions, which I’m happy to debate.

My only real gripe is that he hasn’t sent me anywhere near enough stimulus checks [sic], bother him, although that suggests the American economy is in better shape than it was under his predecessor.

Oh that's good.

"You're too old. Do what your wife tells you."

Do you hear yourselves?

Thanks volver. If you compare Biden with say Clint Eastwood who’s 92 or the Queen at 96, both really sharp - well it’s like chalk and cheese.

Neither Attenborough nor Clint are POTUS though. And the Queen, although our Head Of State, wasn’t exactly running the country, as all the Republicans are keen to remind us.

When you compare Joe Biden to Obama, there is just no comparison.

Standing on the steps of Air Force One, wearing his ‘trademark aviator sunglasses’, giving a salute, he looks ok.

It’s when he trots up to the lectern, then starts giving a speech that he just looks so old and past it.

I bet his aides have their hearts in their mouths wondering if he will get through it properly.

I would think his wife should discourage him from another term.

I think he's too old to POTUS although I have a lot of respect for him and he has such a lot of experience. The demands of the job are enormous, quite unlike presenting a TV programme or making a film, it is a relentless, 24/7 role. I would prefer to see a younger man but with Biden still having an advisory position, but that won't happen.

That's a fair comment GSM. Its not the number of years, so its unfair to tell people they are too old.

I don’t think he will be up to it volver. Frankly there are times when I don’t think he’s up to it now. Some people age far better than others. It’s not the number of years, it’s what they do to your body and, most importantly in his case, your brain.

Oh, this guy was in the Sunday Post this week. He's only 2 years younger than Biden.

Silly doddery old man that he is, somebody should tell him to stay home.

You want to have a go at Attenborough? He's older than Biden.

What about the Queen? She was older than Biden too.

Clint Eastwood is about to make another film and he's 92.

If you think Biden is unsuitable because he is not up to the job, just say so. It's got nothing to do with his age and I'm amazed to find that attitude on a site supposed to be targeted at older people.

He's far too old and worryingly doddery to hold that post.

Trust me?

Trust me? 😡

Be ashamed of yourself.

Trust you to say that. I would have expected no less and could almost feel it coming. He is too old.

It would appear that this should be in the "everyday ageism" forum... 🤷🏼‍♂️