Concerns Over 'Line-of-Duty Death' Over Experience... Biden Turns 81, Grappling with Age Controversy

One Year Before Presidential Election, Biden Trails Trump in Polls
Biden Camp: "Can't Change Age... Focusing on Achievements"

As U.S. President Joe Biden approaches his 81st birthday, concerns about "age risk" are gaining traction. Although he is only three years older than his prominent rival, former President Donald Trump, it remains difficult for him to shake off the image of being elderly. With the presidential election scheduled for November next year, both the Democratic Party and the Biden campaign are reportedly continuing to focus on emphasizing President Biden's experience and wisdom.

President Joe Biden [Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

On the 19th (local time), the U.S. political media outlet Politico reported, citing multiple sources, that the Biden campaign's approach to the president's age is not sufficient to allay voters' concerns. President Biden will turn 81 on the 20th. If he succeeds in winning re-election in next November's presidential election, he will serve as president until the age of 86.

The Biden campaign has so far responded to criticisms about his age by highlighting his experience and wisdom. At a Democratic National Committee fundraising event last September, Quentin Fulks, deputy manager of the Biden campaign, responded to a donor's concerns about age by saying, "The president's age cannot be changed," but urged people to "focus on the many historic achievements President Biden has made."

Ron Klain, who served as Chief of Staff during the first two years of Biden's term, explained, "I think everyone knows that we need to recognize and address this issue," adding, "It is important to emphasize his wisdom and experience by mentioning how he handled difficult issues in Ukraine and elsewhere."

According to multiple sources cited by Politico, the Biden campaign reportedly does not even acknowledge that the president's age is an issue. They argue that voters care about a candidate's values and achievements rather than age when choosing a president. Some insiders within the Democratic Party have said that when this issue is raised with the Biden campaign, they often respond sensitively and defensively.

However, this approach has not been very effective.

Recent polls show that Biden is mostly trailing former President Trump. Considering that in most polls released about a year before the U.S. presidential elections over the past 80 years, the incumbent president has led other competitors by an average of more than 10 percentage points, this is unusual. While there are concerns about economic and foreign policies, at present, voices worrying about President Biden's age and health are growing, especially in battleground states.

As a result, the Biden campaign has faced complaints about applying a "double standard." Alan Kessler, a Democratic donor and Biden supporter, told Politico, "Neither of them (President Biden and former President Trump) will get younger, but Biden is taking a bigger hit because of his age compared to Trump."

John Morgan, President Biden's lawyer, said, "We want a wise person," and pointed out, "To everyone who makes an issue of his age, I want to say that if Warren Buffett had stopped investing at 80, he wouldn't have had the returns he achieved over the past 12 years."

Sources say that some of President Biden's close aides believe he has no mental issues that would prevent him from performing presidential duties, but they recognize that he may have an outwardly frail image. Since President Biden has had incidents such as easily stumbling in public and stiff walking that make movement difficult, these factors could pose risks.

Politico reported, "Everyone recognizes this issue exists, but not everyone sees it as important," adding, "There is no consensus on the best way to address this matter."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.