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The Daily

The Biden Problem Democrats Can No Longer Ignore

Feb 14, 2024
Peter Baker, the Chief White House correspondent for The New York Times, dives into the mounting concerns over President Biden's age and mental sharpness. He discusses the implications of a recent special counsel report, which paints Biden as a well-meaning but forgetful leader. The conversation highlights age-related cognitive challenges and how they may affect Biden's decision-making and reelection bid. Baker also reflects on Biden's defiant responses to scrutiny, adding depth to the ongoing debate within the Democratic Party.
33:06

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Quick takeaways

  • Observations of President Biden's age and memory issues have raised concerns about his cognitive abilities, but supporters argue that he still demonstrates the necessary capabilities to lead in crucial moments.
  • A special counsel report investigating President Biden's handling of classified documents highlighted concerns about his memory, but observers noted that these memory lapses did not seem to impact his capacity to fulfill his responsibilities as President or make wise decisions.

Deep dives

Biden's Aging and Memory

President Biden's age and memory have come under scrutiny. Observers have noted changes in his physical presentation, such as shuffling while walking and recent falls. Additionally, there have been instances of Biden struggling with extemporaneous speaking, trailing off mid-sentence, and confusion about names and dates. These observations have raised concerns about his cognitive abilities. However, supporters argue that while Biden may have memory lapses and occasional verbal slips, he demonstrates the necessary capabilities to lead in crucial moments, as seen in his handling of the missile crisis with Poland. Concerns about Biden's age and memory are more pronounced due to his position as President and the intense media scrutiny. The challenging question for journalists is to distinguish between superficial lapses and issues that affect his judgment and decision-making abilities.

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