The Journal.

Behind Closed Doors, Biden’s Age is Showing

Jun 5, 2024

Annie Linskey, a Wall Street Journal reporter covering the White House, and Siobhan Hughes, who focuses on Congress, discuss the intricacies of President Biden's age as he gears up for the 2024 election. They reveal insights from those close to him, highlighting concerns about his cognitive decline and negotiation skills. The guests explore the contrasting public and private perceptions of Biden, his campaign's strategies to combat age-related skepticism, and how these dynamics may impact his leadership and effectiveness moving forward.

22:31

Episode guests

Siobhan Hughes

Annie Linskey

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Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

President Biden's age impacts public perception of his performance and cognitive abilities.

Past reputation as a skilled negotiator contrasts with concerns about Biden's performance in crucial discussions.

Deep dives

President Biden's Age as a Concern in 2024 Election

President Joe Biden's age, being 81 and turning 82 soon, has become a major topic during his reelection campaign. Polls show age as a top issue impacting the 2024 election. Questions arise about how Biden's age affects his presidency and job performance, leading to ongoing evaluations of his abilities behind closed doors.

Confidence in Leadership Experience

00:30

Intro

1min

The Dual Facade of Leadership: Biden Behind Closed Doors

2min

Evaluating Biden's Cognitive Decline

7min

Negotiation Tactics and Public Perception of Leadership

3min

Navigating Age Perception in Leadership

3min

The Performative Presidency: Age and Perception

4min

For much of his career, Biden built a reputation as a master negotiator. He’s known for his detailed knowledge of issues—and for hitting his stride when the pressure was on. Now, 81-year-old Biden is the oldest person to hold the presidency. WSJ's Annie Linskey and Siobhan Hughes go behind closed doors where some who have worked with him describe a president who appears slower.

Further Reading:

- Behind Closed Doors, Biden Shows Signs of Slipping

Further Listening:

- Inside the White House's Scramble to Avert a Bigger Middle East War

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