Ben Mathis-Lilley, Slate senior writer, discusses the special prosecutor's report on Biden's memory and the implications for his presidential campaign. They analyze concerns about Biden's verbal miscues and memory lapses, exploring the impact on his political image. The podcast also delves into the age issue in the upcoming election, comparing and contrasting Trump and Biden, and discusses the expectations for their behavior and concerns about Biden's health.
Biden's memory lapses were investigated in a special counsel report, questioning his ability to be convicted based on his bad memory.
Comparing Biden's memory issues to Trump's false claims, the public's expectations differ based on personality and credibility.
Deep dives
Biden's Memory Lapses and the Impact on the Election
The podcast episode discusses the recent controversy surrounding President Joe Biden's memory lapses and the potential impact on his re-election bid. The episode highlights how Biden's age and occasional confusion during interviews and press conferences have raised concerns among voters. It explores the special counsel investigation into Biden's handling of classified materials and how his memory was questioned as part of the investigation. The episode delves into the differences in public perception between Biden's memory issues and former President Donald Trump's behavior, noting that Trump's personality and credibility may have shaped the public's expectations differently. Overall, the podcast contemplates the potential implications of Biden's memory lapses on the upcoming election and how voters may weigh his age against other factors.
Comparing Biden and Trump's Responses to Memory Questions
The podcast compares the way President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump address questions about memory issues. It highlights that while Biden's occasional memory lapses have drawn scrutiny, Trump's statements were often viewed as unreliable, given his history of making false claims. The episode explores the different expectations set by both leaders, with Trump's energetic and unpredictable style overshadowing concerns about his memory, whereas Biden's trustworthiness and intentions hold more weight for his supporters. The podcast emphasizes that Biden's age and memory lapses must be navigated carefully in the context of his candidacy and provides insight into how memory concerns may affect public perception in the upcoming election.
The Impact of Age on the Presidential Election
The podcast delves into the broader issue of age and its impact on the 2024 presidential election. It acknowledges that both leading candidates, Joe Biden and Donald Trump, are older individuals, prompting questions and concerns about their ability to perform the duties of the presidency effectively. The episode highlights recent polls indicating that a majority of voters have some level of concern about Biden's physical or mental health. It speculates on the potential consequences of these concerns on the election outcome and explores historical examples, such as Ronald Reagan, whose age and occasional memory lapses did not prevent him from winning re-election. The podcast concludes by considering the significance of age compared to other factors that voters prioritize when choosing a candidate.
The special prosecutor’s report into Biden’s classified documents case is out… and it says Joe Biden’s memory is too bad for a jury to convict him. Is the report a politically motivated hit job, or an honest assessment of one of the two very old men running for president?
If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get benefits like zero ads on any Slate podcast, bonus episodes of shows like Slow Burn and Dear Prudence—and you’ll be supporting the work we do here on What Next. Sign up now at slate.com/whatnextplus to help support our work.
