President Biden’s principal deputy campaign manager, Quentin Fulks, recently addressed concerns about Biden’s mental sharpness, emphasizing that the upcoming 2024 election would focus on issues beyond the president’s age.
In an interview with ABC’s “This Week” host Martha Raddatz, Fulks highlighted the president’s achievements and downplayed age as a central election issue. “When it comes to the president’s age, we have a simple formula for that, and that’s results,” he said.
Read More: Biden’s allies strategize to counter third-party challenges to Biden’s reelection
Polls indicate public skepticism about Biden’s sharpness
Fulks argued that Biden’s age equates to wisdom and experience, leading to significant accomplishments like the bipartisan infrastructure bill and efforts in job creation and inflation control.
Despite Fulks’ confidence, a recent ABC News/Ipsos poll from January 4-8 indicates growing public skepticism about Biden’s mental sharpness.
The poll shows that 69% of respondents doubt Biden’s mental fitness for the presidency, a significant increase from 43% in May 2020.
This concern over Biden’s cognitive abilities comes amidst former President Trump’s challenges with public perception.
Trump’s campaign remarks and age comparisons
At a New Hampshire rally, Trump mistakenly mentioned Nikki Haley while discussing allegations about Nancy Pelosi. This blunder has been scrutinized for its potential implications on Trump’s mental fitness.
Haley, who branded the mix-up as a significant error, used it to question Trump’s mental state ahead of the New Hampshire primaries.
Despite this, conservative platforms have used the incident to refocus attention on Pelosi’s alleged responsibility for Capitol security during the 2020 election certification.
Notably, Trump, who will be 78 in June, is only four years younger than Biden, who turns 82 in November.
Trump’s self-assessment of mental strength
At a campaign rally in Manchester, New Hampshire, Trump addressed the age issue, stating, “I don’t mind being 80, but I’m 77. That’s a big difference.”
He asserted his belief in his mental strength, claiming it has improved over the years while casting doubts on Biden’s cognitive abilities.
Trump’s comments reflect the ongoing debate about the age and mental fitness of potential presidential candidates.
Also Read: Biden extends apology, through aide, to Hutchinson for DNC’s comments
Democrats also question Biden’s fitness
The question of Biden’s mental sharpness is not limited to Republican circles. Some Democrats, including Rep. Dean Phillips, D-Minn., have also raised concerns.
Phillips recently received an endorsement from former 2020 presidential candidate Andrew Yang, who expressed doubts about Biden’s ability to lead at his age effectively.
Yang, addressing voters in New Hampshire, suggested it might be time for new leadership, indicating a desire to move beyond a Biden-Trump rematch.
Phillips and Yang campaign in New Hampshire
Phillips, considered a moderate and an underdog in the Democratic presidential race, has been actively campaigning in New Hampshire with Yang.
Their efforts come as the primary on January 23 approaches, with both figures positioning themselves as fresh alternatives in the Democratic field.
This shift in focus to younger candidates reflects growing concerns within the party about the age and vitality of its leaders as the crucial 2024 election nears.
Read Next: Hunter Biden not shielded from gun charges by 2nd Amendment, say federal prosecutors
