US President Joe Biden (Reuters)
The harsh criticism directed by Republican Special Counsel Robert Hoare highlighted President Joe Biden's age and the deterioration of his abilities. Hoare said that Biden is "a well-intentioned elderly man with a weak memory and whose abilities have diminished with age."
In this context, writer Patrick Drennan commented on the American website The Hill that although Biden enjoys relatively good health for an 81-year-old man, the long-term speech impediments and poor memory that he suffers from are of concern to many Americans.
Drennan added that if the age-related issues facing Biden accelerate, he will be forced to withdraw his candidacy for the 2024 US presidential race, and pointed to a number of key Democratic figures prepared to succeed him, such as:
Gretchen Whitmer (52):
Michigan's popular governor, a pragmatic woman who advocates expanding Medicare.
When asked about her presidential aspirations, she said, “I intend to serve 4 years as governor.”
Dean Phillips (55 years old)
: He is a Jewish congressman from the Democratic Farmers-Labor Party in Minnesota.
He strongly believes in the term limits of the Senate and the Supreme Court.
He is a centrist supporter of Biden, but he recently said of him, “Voters want competition, not coronation.”
Jared Polis (48 years old)
: He is a very experienced politician from Colorado.
Despite his objection when asked if he would run for president, one of his companies registered the candidacy domain “JaredPolicePresident.com” in his name.
Gavin Newsom (56 years old)
: centrist Democrat.
An outspoken debater on Fox News, yet not very popular outside of California.
He publicly denies that he is seeking the presidency, but in secret he has long harbored this ambition.
Kamala Harris, US Vice President (Reuters)
Kamala Harris (59 years old)
: Internationally recognized, her position on abortion rights is popular with women of all political stripes.
She is expected to announce her candidacy.
Andy Beshear (46 years old)
: He comes from a good Southern political family, and is a moderate Democrat who works well with Republicans.
He publicly declined the nomination, but Kentucky Democrats consider him a "dark horse" contender.
Wes Moore, 45
: A veteran who became governor of Maryland, he is tough on social issues such as housing and education, but will be viewed by some as just a soft-spoken urban elitist.
He has not declared interest in running for president, but insiders at the Democratic National Committee are already talking about him as a future candidate.
The writer pointed out that all of these potential candidates will compete for a growing economy, the fight against dictatorships in China and Russia, and human rights, especially the rights of women and "gays."
He concluded that it is extremely dangerous to underestimate Biden, who has a strong economic record that he can continue, and therefore perhaps it is time to put the age issue aside.
Source: Hill