The United States’ 80-year-old President Joe Biden is one of the oldest presidents in American political history. On Tuesday, April 25, the Democratic President Joe Biden announced his campaign for 2024 re-election prompting people to wonder if his age will affect him as he takes on 76-year-old Donald Trump again.
The 46th president of the United States, Joe Biden announced his re-election bid for the 2024 elections. He urged the citizens for a second chance to ‘complete his job.’ The pre-recorded campaign announcement video instantly became viral among his supporters after its release on social media.
However, it also raised the questions of possible challenges that the democratic leader would have to face in his bid including his age. President Biden has already faced the same question when he announced his campaign 4 years ago and it is an issue that Republicans are highlighting again.
US President Joe Biden announces his campaign for re-election saying it’s his job to defend American democracy
The campaign video released on April 25 begins with the January 6, 2021 attack on the US Capitol building by the supporters of former president Trump. The video further refers to abortion bans, LGBTQ rights, and social security threats among others as President Biden states it’s his job to protect the American democracy.
Every generation of Americans has faced a moment where they have been called on to protect our democracy, to defend it, to stand up for it.
And this is our moment.
Watch the very first ad of our reelection campaign — then, pitch in to help share our message far and wide. pic.twitter.com/RvPc51xqRz
— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) April 26, 2023
The democratic leader takes a hit on the MAGA extremist (Make America Great Again) by stating they are ‘lining up to take on bedrock freedom.’ He also reintroduces his stance, ‘we are in a battle for the soul of America’ from his previous campaign stating it is still significant.
The fight to defeat MAGA extremism is not mine alone.
It’s all of ours. And if you’re with me, go to https://t.co/V9Mzpw8kB0 and join our campaign. pic.twitter.com/nq2STvGAqO
— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) April 25, 2023
“The question we’re facing is whether, in the upcoming years, we will have more freedom or less freedom. More rights or fewer,” the US president shares in the video further urging that he knows the answers and believes the citizens know as well. “This isn’t a time to be complacent. That’s why I’m running for reelection.”
Will President Joe Biden’s age prove to be a challenge for his re-election campaign?
The 46th president of the United States is already one of the oldest leaders in American history. President Joe Biden born on November 20, 1942, will be 82 years old by the time of re-election. By the time his second term ends, he will be 86 which can be a matter of concern for his bid.
The democratic leader is well aware of these concerns and called them ‘legitimate’ in one of his interviews, as per Firstpost. However, he also challenged the queries about his stamina for another term by saying ‘Watch me.’
President Joe Biden said he 'feels good' in response to questions about his age and running for another four years in the White House. pic.twitter.com/aZ1l6HpQG2
— USA TODAY (@USATODAY) April 26, 2023
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre also pointed out ‘strong’ mid-term results. According to The New York Times columnist Ross Douthat, President Biden may still favor the dynamics that made him nominee in the first place. ‘Joe Biden’s moderate branding and just-left-enough positioning, still protect him from a consolidated opposition on either flank.”
On the other hand, Republicans are spotlighting the age issue that shall remain one of the concerns until the 2024 US Presidential elections. As per Firstpost, Republican nominee Nikkie Haley proposed “mandatory mental competency tests for politicians over 75 years old” in her bid.
Nikki Haley called for mandatory “mental competency tests” for politicians over 75.
Donald is 76. 🙂
— MSW Media (@mswmediapods) February 16, 2023
This test if conducted will also apply to Republican leader Trump who is also running for the 47th presidential election at the age of 76. He was notably 70 years old when he was elected in 2017. However, it is important to know what the voters of the United States have to say about the age factor in the upcoming elections.
Despite favorable opinions, many voters seem to mind President Biden’s age in relation to the election
According to a survey conducted by NBC News, 70% of American voters expressed a lack of enthusiasm regarding President Biden’s seeking re-election. Out of them, 51% are Democrats. Moreover, 7 out of 10 cited that Biden’s age is the concerning factor that stops them from cheering him for another term.
"Age is going to be an issue in this campaign on both sides of the equation."
Biden campaign co-chair @RepJamesClyburn responds to concerns about Biden’s age as he begins his re-election campaign.
“It’s the substance that comes with you. And Joe Biden has the substance.” pic.twitter.com/QtAsKknWZJ
— José Díaz-Balart Reports (@JDBalartMSNBC) April 26, 2023
However, according to a recent survey by The Associated Press-NORC Centre for Public Affairs Research, there is a 10% rise in support for President Biden’s re-election campaign since last February. He is at 47% support from Democrats for US 2024 election.
Meanwhile, as per the NBC News survey, former President Trump is in a far more unfavorably position with only 35% support and 60% against his bid for the 2024 elections.
Are the concerns regarding candidates’ age for election ageism?
According to Firstpost, many voters have argued that concerns regarding the age of candidates are age discrimination. Adam Felts, a researcher at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s AgeLab was quoted by Bloomberg, “The limitation of longevity has shifted positively.”
Felts states that people may have to think about President Joe Biden’s age trajectory differently considering the availability of advanced medical care.
Mick Jagger is only 9 months younger than Joe Biden. He went on tour last year at age 79.
Joe Biden is both fit and fit to serve another term. Don’t buy into ageism. pic.twitter.com/THT5IrKr3F
— Kaivan Shroff (@KaivanShroff) April 26, 2023
Similarly, Jessica Nordell, author of The End of Bias, shared the psychological aspect of age with Bloomberg. She shared that people tend to overestimate how much they have in common with other people in a given category.
Nordell states that voters who doubt that President Biden is ‘too old’ reflects their ‘antipathy’ towards older people.
You can also share any questions you have about President Joe Biden’s re-election campaign. Until then, stay with us here at Spiel Times for more content.
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