From: allin
Overview of Concerns
President Joe Biden’s cognitive health has become a significant topic of discussion, particularly after his decision not to undergo a cognitive test as part of his annual physical, a first for a sitting president [01:05:10]. This decision has fueled public and political debate regarding his fitness for office, especially given his age. Biden is 81 years old and would be 82 at the start of a potential second term, ending it at 86, making him the oldest president by far [01:05:20]. For comparison, Ronald Reagan, previously the oldest president, was 69 at the start of his presidency and 77 at its conclusion [01:05:44].
Public and Expert Opinion
A poll by ABC News indicated that 86% of Americans across both political parties believe Biden is too old to be president [01:08:53], with 59% thinking both Biden and Donald Trump (who is 77) are too old [01:08:58].
Concerns extend beyond age to apparent cognitive decline:
- Refusal of Cognitive Test: The White House’s decision to omit a cognitive test from his physical is seen by critics as a “tell” that they fear he might fail [01:17:17]. Elon Musk commented that “a basic cognitive test should not be something that someone who controls nuclear strikes is allowed to skip” [01:07:24].
- Avoidance of Interviews: The Biden administration declined the traditional Super Bowl interview, considered a “softball” opportunity for any president [01:09:22]. This is contrasted with Donald Trump’s willingness to engage in hostile interviews and maintain a vigorous schedule [01:18:23].
- The Her Report: Special counsel Robert Hur’s report on classified documents declined to prosecute Biden, citing that a jury would likely view him as “an elderly man with a poor memory” and “manifestly senile,” making him a sympathetic defendant [01:09:41].
- Biden’s subsequent press conference, intended to refute the report, reportedly backfired as he appeared agitated and confused Egypt with Mexico when discussing the Gaza crisis [01:10:30].
- The Babylon Bee humorously summarized the situation: “Man deemed too senile to stand for trial still fit to run country” [01:09:57].
One speaker, Chamath, stated that the decision not to take a cognitive test was “the straw that broke the camel’s back,” leading him to decide he “absolutely cannot vote for Biden anymore” [01:07:59]. He believes a cognitive test should be mandatory for a president, given their control over matters like nuclear strikes [01:08:30].
Implications for Governance and Leadership
The debate over Biden’s cognitive health raises several critical implications for the presidency and the country:
- Risk of an “Unelected” Leader: The lack of transparency around cognitive health increases the risk of an individual who is not fully capable of decision-making effectively controlling the executive branch. This could lead to a situation where “somebody that was fundamentally unelected” makes crucial decisions [01:07:43].
- “Regent” Presidency: If Biden were to win re-election, there is speculation that his second term could see the presidency become more of an “office instead of a person,” run by powerful ministers or staff [01:19:04]. This is seen by some as a potentially favorable situation for staffers, as a weak president allows them to administer policy with greater autonomy [01:31:36].
- Constitutional Requirements: While there’s a minimum age for the presidency (35 years), there’s no constitutional provision to bar someone from office based on cognitive impairment [01:11:49]. Any such requirement would necessitate a constitutional amendment [01:12:09].
- Loss of Public Faith: Critics argue that the Democratic Party’s perceived efforts to “paper over or deny the visible reality of Biden’s decline” [01:23:59], combined with the controlled nature of his public appearances, erode public faith in democratic institutions [01:20:52].
- Party Dynamics: The situation highlights issues within the Democratic Party, which is perceived to be “stuck with a candidate who’s an obvious decline” [01:17:38]. Despite unhappiness within the party, there is no clear mechanism to replace a candidate who has won all necessary primary votes against his will [01:27:01]. The choice of Kamala Harris as a potential replacement is complicated by her own unpopularity, which is even higher than Biden’s [01:30:32].
Ultimately, discussions suggest that the electorate’s judgment is key, and voters should have access to all relevant information to make informed decisions [01:13:53]. The current situation, however, points to a potential “shadow government” operating behind a less capable figurehead [01:24:20].