Opinion | Joe Biden Is Too Old to Be President Again - The New York Times
By: Michelle Goldberg (nytimes)
S E E D E D C O N T E N T
July 11, 2022, 7:42 p.m. ETCredit...T.J. Kirkpatrick for The New York Times
I can't help feeling very sorry for Joe Biden. He's wanted to be president for most of his life, first running 34 years ago. Had his son Beau not died in 2015, Biden might have entered the Democratic primary then; as vice president he would have been a favorite and likely would have beaten Donald Trump.
By the time he finally achieved the office he longed for, he was far past his prime. Trump had left the country in ruins, its institutions collapsing, much of the population gripped by furious delusions, and millions traumatized by the pandemic. Biden was elected to bring back a normality that now appears to be gone for good.
Many of the crises driving down Biden's approval numbers are not his fault. If an 8.6 percent inflation rate were due to his policies, then it's hard to see why the rate is even higher in Britain, at 9.1 percent, or why it's 7.9 percent in Germany. The mulish attachment to the filibuster by Senators Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema makes most legislation impossible. Even if Biden had more activist inclinations, there's not much he could do about the Supreme Court's cruel reversal of Roe v. Wade or the increasing tempo of massacres that punctuate American life.
Nevertheless, I hope he doesn't run again, because he's too old.
Now, I didn't want Biden to be the Democratic nominee in 2020, partly for ideological reasons but even more because he seemed too worn-out and unfocused. In retrospect, however, given the way Republicans outperformed expectations, Biden may have been the only one of the major candidates who could have beaten Trump; voters showed no appetite for sweeping progressive change.
So I recognize that I could be wrong when I make a similar argument today. But the presidency ages even young men, and Biden is far from young; a country in as much trouble as ours needs a leader vigorous enough to inspire confidence.
As a recent New York Times/Siena College poll found, 64 percent of Democrats want a different presidential nominee in 2024. Those Democrats cite Biden's age more than any other factor, though job performance is close behind. Their concern isn't surprising. Biden has always been given to gaffes and malapropisms, but there is a painful suspense in watching him speak now, like seeing someone wobble on a tightrope. (Some of his misspeaking can be explained by the stutter he overcame as a child, but not all.) His staff often seems to be keeping him out of view; as The Times reported, he's participated "in fewer than half as many news conferences or interviews as recent predecessors."
Certainly, there's something nice about a president who doesn't torment the country with his vampiric thirst for attention. And by most accounts, Biden is still sharp and engaged in performing the behind-the-scenes duties of his office. But by receding so far into the background, he forfeits the ability to set the public agenda.
You can't spin away a bad economy, but you can draw attention to its bright spots, like a 3.6 percent unemployment rate. Americans overwhelmingly sympathize with Ukraine, and with a rousing enough message, some might be willing to accept the pain of high gas prices as the cost of standing up to Vladimir Putin. To rally them, however, it's not enough for the administration to repeat the phrase "Putin's price hike." Like the rest of us, the White House had ample notice of the Supreme Court's intention to overturn Roe v. Wade, but it somehow wasn't ready with an immediate executive order and public relations blitz.
There's a problem here that goes beyond a shortage of presidential speeches and media appearances, or even Biden himself. We are ruled by a gerontocracy. Biden is 79. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi is 82. The House majority leader, Steny Hoyer, is 83. The Senate majority leader, Chuck Schumer, is 71. Often, it's not clear if they grasp how broken this country is.
They built their careers in institutions that worked, more or less, and they seem to expect them to start working again. They give every impression of seeing this moment, when the gears of government have seized and one party openly schemes against democracy, as an interregnum rather than a tipping point. Biden's Democratic critics come from different places on the political spectrum — some are infuriated by his centrism, others worried by his listlessness. What links most of them is desperation for leaders who show urgency and ingenuity.
If there's one consolation in Biden's age, it's that he can step aside without conceding failure. There's no shame in not running for president in your 80s. He emerged from semiretirement to save the country from a second Trump term, and for that we all owe him a great debt. But now we need someone who can stand up to the still-roiling forces of Trumpism.
There are plenty of possibilities: If Vice President Kamala Harris's approval ratings remain underwater, Democrats have a number of charismatic governors and senators they can turn to. Biden said, during the 2020 campaign, that he wanted to be a "bridge" to a new generation of Democrats. Soon it will be time to cross it.
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Biden still understands the job and can make the decisions. The idea that he is "told what to do" by progressive advisers is ridiculous. If it were true we would have a progressive administration, and we dont.
But Joe Biden is out of step with reality. The reality is that compromise with MAGA is not practical or feasible. Trumpism is a plague on this country and cannot be wished away by a desire for "bi-partisanship". Biden's age and personal experience makes him too beholden to the idea that he needs to bring Republicans along with every policy he proposes. They aint coming Joe.
The Democrats need someone younger and much much more feisty. The governor of Illinois, JB Pritzker , is being mentioned as a possibility for 2024. He is 57 years old which is the prime years for a national politician. He has become more forceful in his criticism of Republicans over the past year, is a good speaker, and has a pro business background (to say the least) that might appeal to moderates. But he also has many progressive views , so he may be able to split the baby.
There are others, Gavin Newsome is a possibility, as is Buttigieg and Kloubuchar. And Im sure there are others. Biden should announce he is not running again before the mid terms so that Democrats can be energized to vote.
“Buttigieg and Kloubuchar…”
…that’s the ticket…
He can't even properly run the Department of Transportation. I even heard that south Bend had a huge party celebrating the fact he no longer lived there.
I agree Biden has to announce he is not running. We do need a younger more aggressive Democrat. Don't think Buttigieg has a chance since he is gay. Newsom is from CA, automatically rules him out for majority of conservatives. Klobuchar is a long shot. Haven't researched Pritzker.
Although Biden does fumble around physically at times, there are also times when he seems very sharp, and there is no credible information that he isnt thinking straight. To me the problem is he is too psychologically beholden to a past of "bipartisanship" that doesnt exist anymore.
There fixed it for you.
He is such an extremist his own party is blocking him and he's trying to nuke the senate so it can be even more partisan, and you think he's beholden to "bipartisanship"
Do you also think he's too humble and honest?
I wish I had a sawbuck for every time he's said he wants Republican support. That might be fine if there was any chance of getting it.
Biden is like the old worn out shoe with a hole under the big toe so it's not likely he'll last many more miles, but when compared to Trump who was just some human feces scooped and molded around a foot to look like a shoe, Biden was the clear choice in 2020 for anyone with more than half a brain.
Now that we shook the shit off our foot we need to support some younger centrist politicians, maybe even if they're the Republicans who didn't lose their minds and integrity when Trump shat on their party like Liz Cheney or Mitt Romney. Of course I'd rather have someone like Buttigieg, Klobuchar, Newsom, Beto or Booker, but I wouldn't be upset if a Cheney or Romney won. At least that would be getting the Republican party back on some firm ground after being driven off a cliff by Cheeto Benito and his clown car of dumb fucks, nitwits, nimrods and MAGA dipshits.
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One should not hate America, they should pity it.
I absolutely do not and will not hate America. America even with it's problems is a better country than any other on this planet. [deleted]
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Arvo arky...hmmm don't know about the better country than any other on this planet..
Everyone thinks their country is number one..but each to their own.
Absolutely there are countries I would not live in or even visit in a pink fit..but others are certainly up there....🐨🦘
Australia is my number two country even if you guys talk funny (Arvo? Pink fit?) And drive on the wrong side of the road.
The U.S. Of A. Is and will always be my number one
Out of Step! Joe isn't even using the same tempo. Biden isn't even in the same universe as reality
You see Biden trying to do that?
I'm not sure who is out of step with reality.
One thing I do know - as predicted, democrats are going to dump Biden.
My opinion is not limited to Biden. I do not think the presidency makes sense for anyone 70 or older (just to give a number as a gauge). The reason is that this is a very stressful, demanding job and if the human being holding the office were to become incapacitated (or die) that is a major problem for the USA.
The older we get the more likely we are to have things go wrong. Couple that with a demanding / stressful job and you have an argument to ensure the presidency —given all the power and responsibility centered on a single individual— is held by someone who is still in their chronological prime and physically and mentally fit for the challenge.
Now, on Biden, he is holding up pretty much as I expected. I considered him too old when he ran in 2020. I prefer a PotUS in the range of 45 to 65.
There were about twenty Democrats who ran for President in 2020 and every one of them, knowing him, endorsed Joe for President...
IMO because they cared more about beating Trump than in improving the country. Several of those people would have made for more vibrant and impactful presidents than Biden. Unfortunately, the party’s fear of losing overpowered any sense of leadership they might have had.
You cant possibly be saying it would have been ok to have four more years of Donald Trump. Our country is at the brink now.
MAGA is ruining our country. We just have to hope its not permanent.
I am perplexed ... what part of Tacos!' comment suggests he thinks four more years of Trump would be okay?
No, I can't. And if you read that from what I wrote, you seriously need to work on the whole comprehension thing.
Mindless tribalism from the Left isn't helping either.
His comment is a rather blatant criticism of the Democratic approach to the 2020 election. Since they needed to get rid of Trump as president, and nominating Biden worked, their strategy is beyond criticism unless you can guarantee that a different candidate would have won.
Get it?
"Bothsides-ism" has brought this country to the brink. No one took trump and trumpism seriously until it was too late to prevent all the damage they have done to our national honor and our national psyche.
People who have to always say "but the Democrats" are very tiresome. Once Trump and Trumpism are in the trashcan we can talk about other problems.
Like what? Please be specific. Thanks.
Get lost. If you need to have it explained to you it isnt worth the effort.
So you can't. I don't know WTF happened to you during his term but my life was pretty damned good. That you didn't care for him as a person has no relevance to his performance.
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Over half of MAGA people believe the election was stolen from Trump. Do you actually believe that level of idiocy does not damage this country? It is often said that Trump and trumpism did more damage to the concept of truth than anything we have ever seen. They believe ridiculous conspiracy theories, they are obsessed with trivialities (so called wokeism) and MAGA has helped perpetuate racism in this country. Many of them are also Christian nationalists, which violates the constitution.
I could go on and on but frankly your point of view is not worth the effort.
Here is bothsidesism.
Over here the house is on fire. Over there a trashcan in the alley is on fire. The bothsideser wants to put an equal amount of water on both fires, out of fairness.
Tacos! stated that the D party picked Biden strictly to defeat Trump; you state the same. So you both agree on the strategy at play.
However, Tacos! clearly does not share your 100% certainty that picking someone other than Biden would necessarily lose. Thus he was NOT saying that he would be: "ok to have four more years of Donald Trump".
I said “The Left,” not Democrats. And I was talking about you. Unless I just copy and paste something you wrote, you accuse me of supporting Trump. You do it to me and you do it to others here. That is what is “tiresome.” It makes it impossible to have a simple conversation.
Democrats had some strong candidates, but they were younger and perhaps less well known than the former Vice President, so the party leadership encouraged them all to quit, helping Biden to get the nomination. But, in my opinion, several of them would have made better presidents.
Oh no! Heaven forbid anyone should ever express a criticism of the Democratic Party. I must be in league with Trump, Russia, and Satan all at once! By the way, I’ve also been known to associate with Jews and Homosexuals.
Political tribalism is where open minds, thoughtfulness, and reason go to die.
Do you even feel your totalitarian streak? Beyond criticism? No one is beyond criticism.
Cowards demand guarantees. I support the issues and people who I think deserve it. I don’t belong to a party because I choose country and principles over party. When you’re party-first, you’re just a drone, whether you’re on the Left or the Right.
Well said.
We are all hoping rampant TDS isn't. Unfortunately seems to be a life long condition for those on the left.
Wrong again! It is Joe Biden, AOC and her squad, and progressive democrats (democrats in general for that matter) is ruining the country!
Obama knew Biden's abilities, too - and didn't endorse him until APRIL, 2020.
Wth over twenty Democrats to choose from Obama chose Biden!
Because all the others were losers
Biden enjoyed the advantage of being unable to upstage Obama.
Pretty sure that Obama picked Biden to cover the 'gravitas' dimension (same with Cheney for Bush); Biden was the experienced career politician who knew how DC worked.
Comparing Biden to Cheney is like comparing a guppy to a shark. Biden in no way was going to overrule Obama on anything. Cheney ran the show for Bush's first term.
Why try so hard to not understand my point? After all, I spelled it out for you in clear language and my post was brief:
So is/was Joe Biden.
Although I see a person like Henry Kissinger still making sense and writing books at the age of 99, I, at the age of 85, being aware of the gradual deterioration of my mental and physical capabilities (the fact that I'm aware of it means I'm still okay), would have to agree that a more youthful and dynamic individual should take the helm in 2024.
President Joe Biden may have to beat Trump, again. He was the best candidate to whoop Trump then and he may be again. Democrats are not going to give Trump an easier path, when Joe can thump Trump!
That is dangerous thinking. Biden is substantially weaker politically than he was when running for PotUS. If the Ds truly think that Biden is their best candidate then with the GoPs continued Trump infection we open the doors for yet another false choice of the better of two evils.
Objectively, who would have thought that the choices for PotUS in 2024 would be an 82 year old vastly unpopular incumbent and a 78 year old former PotUS who arguably engaged in sedition in an attempt to steal a lost presidential election through absurd lying, frivolous lawsuits, coercion of officials, suborning of unconstitutional act by his VP and inciting his followers to fight for their country because their votes were disenfranchised by a rigged election?
Both the D and R parties need to get their shit together and give us candidates that we can finally vote FOR rather than AGAINST. Surely each party can find a competent, semi-decent human being between the ages of 45 to 65 who genuinely wants to lead the nation to a better condition and has the skills to make a difference.
Way i see it , the 24 election is still 2 years away , I would love to have some of the peoples that are saying who the candidates will be, crystal ball, even if it is cracked .
2 years is a lifetime in politics actually and anything is possible , either of the mentioned possible candidates can have anything happen to them , one or the other or both could stroke out and not be able to run , then there is the possibility they simply due to age , die .
personally , i will start taking the 24 election into consideration right around Jan of 2024, anything before that is pure speculation and not really worth the waste of time to me .
That being said , the 2 candidates being discussed ? Both have basically aged out of the race as far as i am concerned since i believe as you , that between the ages of 45 -65 , is optimal if one considers it on a one term basis , but that also leaves many contenders some would like to see , sitting outside the circle as well.
One can cease supporting Trump without having a presumptive nominee.
What candidates are you thinking who are out of the circle? I can offer, for example, Condoleezza Rice who is 67 and thus out of my range. My thinking is that if she were to run I would not care that she was not technically within my range because my range is simply putting numbers to the idea of a candidate who is experienced, wise and not losing it due to age.
That is assuming one ever supported or voted for trump to begin with , which i didnt , and even when he was in office he had very little effect on my day to day life or the day to day choices i made , much like the current guy in the office , or the one that was there before trump took office .
As for what prospective candidates would be out ?
Alas , most are on the progressive /socialist or dem side of the isle , clinton , sanders warren , pelosi or shumer is a good start to a list, some on the right would be if they had a notion to run for the office , would be mcconnel ,graham off the top of my head for at least 2 , there are others that i think are just batshit crazy and to mention them is actually redundant , like lining a bird cage with the NY Times . .
you make a good point about the being over the age factor , but still being able to effectively do the job if they chose , that age limitation is certainly not a hard and fast thing if it only entails a couple of years like in your example of rice
But rest assured , when 24 rolls around and the campaigning starts , thats when the prospective candidates will be individually judged , by the individuals themselves , as it has always been and decided .
I was not speaking of you, but rather those who continue to support Trump.
well way i see THAT , is everyone has a right to their opinion , even if that opinion is wrong, no one is forced to listen to them anyway .
What they dont have the right to do is expect or force another to believe that opinon as they do .
Is there an antonym for "meritocracy"?
Line of succession is certainly the opposite. Biden was next in line (same with Hillary). Bob Dole and John McCain were both next in line too.
Trump supporters vote.
Both parties need someone younger. But both parties are too entrenched in "beating" the other party regardless of whether the candidate is best qualified. There are Republicans that say Trump is a liar, narcissistic, not intelligent, yet they would still vote for him. There are Democrats that say Biden is too old, out of touch, yet would still vote for him. It has gotten to be party over country with both parties.
So both sides are equally at fault?
With that attitude prevailing , if it does, get ready for another Trump term after 2024. People like you will create the atmosphere in which he can win again.
It's the Democrats fault that Trump got elected the first time. It'll be their fault when they lose in 2024.
Not to belabor the obvious, but it is the fault of the people who voted for Trump, who was a known and proven liar, crook, bigot, moron and cheat prior to the 2016 election day.
So what you are saying is in 2016 we had a choice between a proven liar, crook, bigot, moron and cheat with zero history in the political realm nominated by the Republican Party and a proven liar, crook, bigot, moron and cheat with over 40 years in the political realm nominated by the Democrat Party. In a nut shell, "lesser of two evils" situation.
Dragon is correct in @6. There needs to be somebody younger who is looking out for the country and not the party nominated from both sides. Unfortunately, there is a slim chance of that happening. Both parties are so set in beating the opponent they have completely lost touch with what their jobs actually are.
In no way shape or form was Hillary Clinton on Trumps level in terms of being a liar, crook, bigot, moron and cheat. No way. The fact that you think they were is a big part of the problem.
Most of the charges against the Clintons were based on conspiracy theories that have been debunked, such as that they had 144 people murdered. What kind of idiot believes something like that?
Noting fault for both parties does not ipso facto mean that both sides are equally at fault.
You do this all the time, John. You insert 'equality' into comparisons made by others and then criticize them for claiming equality.
So you do not recognize that it was the GoP that nominated Trump and thus enabled him to run in the general election??
I dont have a problem with people criticizing Democratic leaders or Democratic policies, AT THE APPROPRIATE TIME. That is not now, when any inference that both sides are THE problem could open the door for Trump to win again. I am surprised you dont understand that.
You want all the criticism to be on Trump and no criticism on any D. I certainly understand that and the reasoning for same. It is unrealistic but certainly desirable as a strategy to ensure Trump does not win.
That does not change the fact (the content of my post) that you impose equality in comments where equality is not stated and then falsely criticize people for claiming equality.
That's some serious denial or ignorance you have going on. Are you not familiar with her history?
And the charges against Trump have yet to be proven. So lets chalk that up to conspiracy theories and just flat out fiction.
Forget about charges since no trial has yet ensued. That is a lame excuse to avoid facing reality.
You have ample video and testimonial evidence that Trump attempted to steal the election. You certainly know that the USA electoral system was not rigged and that Biden won legitimately.
There is no credibility in attempting to ignore what Trump did with the excuse of 'no proof'. The evidence that Trump attempted to steal the election —the only PotUS in our history to attempt this— is overwhelming and blatantly obvious.
We do not have adjudication so no crime can be legally concluded at this point. But an objective mind does not need a trial to recognize the fact that Trump attempted to steal the election (which, in itself, is not necessarily a crime).
The charges are required to have the trial. Remember, the justice system doesn't work off hurt feelings.
You ignored my point:
Yes, I ignored your talking point.
Again, there have not been any fact provided to substantiate the allegation. Hence, no trial.
So why get your panties in a wad? Oh, that's right.
The fact that Trump attempted to steal the election is not a talking point. It is a blatantly obvious fact. Denying it makes one look ridiculous.
You all keep saying that but so far all that's been provided as proof is, well, your hurt feelings and speculation.
There is no 'you all' this is just me.
You are denying that Trump attempted to steal the election. That is a fantasy that no doubt is based on emotion rather than critical thinking.
You are far too nice to these people.
I agree. But I think my message comes through even with my moderated language.
It is breathtaking to witness anyone who, at this point in time, denies that Trump, the only PotUS or candidate to do this in our history, attempted to steal a USA presidential election.
What I'm doing is telling you to provide the proof.
The Jan 6 committee has provided about 16 hours of proof. Do some binge watching and educate yourself about something.
LMAO. Judge Judy is more informative.
I know, Jeremy, that is your utterly flawed ploy of endlessly demanding proof as an excuse for you to dismiss what is right in front of your face.
It is beyond foolish for anyone to try to maintain that Trump did not attempt to steal the election. Your refusal to open your eyes to what is beyond obvious is not persuasive, it simply harms your personal credibility.
That ship sailed a long long time ago.
Agreed. I do not have words to properly describe the level of absurdity surrounding those who hold that Trump did not try to steal the election. And it disgusts me to see such a serious matter cavalierly ignored due to purely partisan bias.
It is embarrassing to watch Trump supporters walk this tight rope while there were nooses and gallows erected in the Trump lie that infected those inclined to be subjected too, that which any thinking individual could, and should have known, was or weren't true, and asz the evidence continues to accumulate, they continue to obfuscate, cause they wish not to learn and know the actual truth, for it shines an unwanted spotlight on their obvious gullibility, and disability is what too many seem to wish to flaunt, and so many fluent, in speaking in to only the letter of the law when it has been apparent, they've accepted he shot and killed many at the 5th Avenue barr lowered to allow Trump to slither underground just to get on top and around those pesky violations that would have had Repubs foaming at the mouth, had say Hillary attempted ANYTHING EVEN remotely CLOSE to this total fiasco that has stained our glass , and House, while looking out the window at thew bathwater baby swimming in denial in the kitchen sinking even further, away that i must say, is quite a short sight to see occurring on this very day.
There is a lot more involved than just partisan bias. Perfectly honest and honorable people can also be partisan.
This is deliberate disregard for the truth and a reliance on conspiracy theories and other utter nonsense. MAGA is a plague on the nation that goes far beyond well meaning partisanship.
I agree with that.
No, it's the fault of the people that voted for trump.
Well, when you are part of a continuation of a partisan bullshit session, it's hard not to dismiss everything. The Democrats don't have a good track record with providing proof. And so far, just like the Russia Collusion fiasco you all supported, there's nothing here but hurt feelings and a fear of one person.
I am not a D and you continue to presume. Just because I do not toe the party line or operate as a Trump sycophant does not mean that I am a loyal partisan of the opposition or that I oppose all things R.
It is typical of someone blinded by partisanship to not comprehend that some of us can in fact engage in analysis that is not biased by support for a particular party. Must blow your mind.
The committee routinely delivers under-oath testimony of typically high-ranking, connected Rs who are typically reporting on their interactions with Trump and Trump operatives. To refuse to even listen to the answers these individuals give to probative questions is the epitome of willful ignorance.
Another embarrassment to Newstalkers.
Completely agree. Long past time for the Silent Generation and the Boomers to move over (and I'm a Boomer).
The younger boomers are still in their prime, but in general I agree. The boomer generation is largely retiring and is past its moment.
This would be a very good justification for term limits. Eliminate the "career" politician. Get people in there who still remembers what they were elected to do.
And find a way to reduce the power that each political party holds. There's so much money and power held by each party that the individual members quickly become embedded and beholding to the party in order to maintain their political positions in order to share in the power and money. While the reality of the world prevents any possible movement to the once-held ideal of a part-time politician, it would be nice to limit the power of the professional politician and the two party system and return that power to the people.
That could be done with Term Limits. Also an audit by an outside agency (not the GAO or any other government agency) in to the finances of each person and the parties could keep things more honest.
I'm a firm believer that their job needs to be part time. Especially when you look at how little they actually work. Sadly over the years / decades they have been given too much leeway to do as they wish instead of what we wish.
I honestly think the only reason Biden shouldn't run again is his age.
There is almost nothing he has done as president that I dislike or think another Democrat would have done better. The things that have gone badly on his watch are the things that would have gone badly for anyone in his place.
Where I think he falls short is in that he seems too old for the job. We see less of him than we want to because he does not have the energy of a man twenty years younger than he is. He should be speaking to the press more in person to assure us that he is on top of our crises.
We knew he was old when we voted for him in 2020. We voted for him to get rid of Trump. Keeping Trump out of the WH again is still more important than just about anything else.
But there is also a big opportunity cost taking place in our efforts to keep Trump out of the WH in 2024. Here we are holding these completely necessary Jan 6 hearings. In an alternate universe we would be paying the same public attention to fixing the economy.