REHOBOTH BEACH, Del. –
President Joe Biden joked that it is troublesome acknowledging he’s about to flip 80, however mentioned he’s bodily and mentally able to serving a possible second time period within the White House.
Biden, who turns 80 on Nov. 20, mentioned it is “completely legit” for voters to query whether or not somebody his age can handle the demanding stresses of the American presidency. Biden made the remark in response to a query about his age throughout an MSNBC interview that aired Sunday.
He mentioned individuals ought to choose for themselves whether or not he is up to the duty as polls present that voters would fairly not see a rematch with Donald Trump, the Republican ousted by Biden in 2020.
Biden can be 82 on Inauguration Day in January 2025; Trump can be 78.
A current Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research ballot reveals solely about 3 in 10 individuals questioned need both Biden or Trump to run for president in two years. Just 5 in 10 Democrats need Biden to search a second time period, whereas 6 out of 10 Republicans hope to see Trump search the presidency once more.
“I believe one of the best ways to make the judgement is to watch me. Am I slowing up? Am I going on the identical tempo?” Biden mentioned within the interview that was taped Friday throughout a go to to the Delaware State University campus to promote his pupil mortgage debt forgiveness govt order.
Biden has but to formally announce whether or not he will run for a second time period, however has repeatedly mentioned it’s his intention to search reelection.
During his 2020 marketing campaign, Biden usually introduced himself as a “transition candidate” who would construct a bridge to new Democratic expertise.
The age and well being of each Biden and Trump loomed all through a race that was determined by a youthful and extra numerous voters and at a moment when the nation is dealing with no scarcity of problems with consequence.
In the MSNBC interview, Biden mentioned voters ought to take a look at his “ardour” for the work as they take into account his age in factoring whether or not they need to vote for him.
Biden joked that he’s nonetheless coming to phrases with changing into an octogenarian.
“I am unable to even say the age I’m going to be. I am unable to even get it out of my mouth,” Biden mentioned.
Biden went by a battery of blood, bodily, gastrointestinal, dental, imaginative and prescient and neurological examinations shortly earlier than his birthday final 12 months.
Dr. Kevin O’Connor, Biden’s main care doctor, wrote in a six-page memo launched by the White House after that examination that Biden was “wholesome, vigorous” and “match to efficiently execute the duties of the Presidency.”
O’Connor mentioned he investigated Biden for elevated situations of “throat clearing” throughout public remarks and a stiffening of his gait.
O’Connor reported that Biden’s coughing was the results of gastrointestinal reflux and that the stiffened gait was the results of a brand new analysis of “delicate peripheral neuropathy,” spinal arthritis and compensation for a damaged foot sustained shortly earlier than he took workplace.