President Joe Biden’s reelection chances could be heavily influenced by how he performs in the upcoming presidential debates against former President Donald Trump, as highlighted by Mark Penn, a former adviser to Hillary Clinton.
In a recent appearance on Fox News’ “America’s Newsroom,” Penn discussed a Wall Street Journal report that raised concerns about Biden’s age and mental sharpness. He noted that over 60 percent of voters are worried about Biden’s age and whether it impacts his ability to serve another term. Penn emphasized that this issue won’t be resolved by rumors alone but will be tested during the debates. These debates, scheduled to begin with an early one planned strategically, will be a crucial moment for the American public to assess Biden’s readiness for another term.
Penn highlighted that Biden’s age, now 81, is a significant concern for many, and the Biden campaign is expected to counteract these perceptions.
The Wall Street Journal article mentioned that Republicans, in private conversations, have expressed worries about Biden’s age. Some Democrats have also noticed signs of aging in Biden during various exchanges. Former Republican House Speaker Kevin McCarthy commented on the changes he has observed in Biden over the years, suggesting a decline in his capabilities.
The White House has dismissed the Wall Street Journal report, with spokesperson Andrew Bates criticizing the newspaper for presenting what he called long-standing and unfounded claims made by congressional Republicans.
Penn also cited a February poll indicating that a significant majority of Americans—86 percent—believe Biden is too old for another term. This includes a portion who think both Biden and Trump are too old for another term.
Both Biden and Trump have agreed to participate in two presidential debates later this year, with the first one set to be hosted by CNN on June 27.
Biden’s age continues to be a major point of focus for many Republicans. They are also calling for the release of a transcript from an interview between Biden and special counsel Robert Hur. Following an investigation into Biden’s handling of classified documents, Hur described Biden as having memory issues, leading Republicans to demand that the full interview transcript be made public.