Concerns Mount Over Biden’s Age and Mental Acuity Amid New Book Revelations

WASHINGTON (AP) — The question of Joe Biden‘s mental acuity is back in focus following revelations from a new book suggesting his aides concealed his cognitive and physical decline during his presidency.

The book, titled “Original Sin” by CNN’s Jake Tapper and Axios’ Alex Thompson, asserts that Biden’s mental health was a topic of concern among White House staff and that they discussed the implications of his age and cognition as he contemplated seeking a second term.

As Biden steps away from the presidency, discussions among potential Democratic candidates for 2028 have intensified, fueling doubts about his leadership. Some party members wonder if he should have passed the nomination to Vice President Kamala Harris sooner, a decision that some believe hurt her chances against then-President Donald Trump last year.

“There’s no doubt that Biden, now 82, experienced cognitive decline as president,” said Democratic Senator Chris Murphy of Connecticut.

Biden’s troubles were exacerbated in June of last year after a disastrous debate performance, leading to his withdrawal from the race. Despite these concerns, Trump and several GOP figures continue to assert his competency, although many voters express skepticism about their claims.

Trump has seemingly seized on Biden’s struggles, frequently mentioning him and framing his administration’s policies as unpopular. Recent polls indicate that 75% of Americans, including 69% of Democrats, feel Biden is too old for another term.

In response to questions about Biden’s health, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker noted that he had not observed any signs of decline during his meetings with the former president. Still, the overarching anxiety amid Democratic circles is whether Biden’s age will hinder their success in upcoming elections.

During an appearance last week, Biden acknowledged concerns about his age but defended his administration’s performance against Trump’s tactics. He claimed that the losses of 2024 were not entirely his fault and mentioned external factors like sexism and racism affecting Harris’s candidacy.

The Biden administration has remained tight-lipped about the allegations drawn from Tapper and Thompson’s work and how the President’s mental state affected his decision-making capabilities.

As calls for transparency grow, so do tensions within the Democratic Party over the direction it should take heading into the next election cycle. The discourse has shifted dramatically since the Trump presidency, suggesting that voters might need more than just assurances of experience as they evaluate candidates.

“If we don’t confront these issues within our party, we risk losing more than just one election,” said Democratic strategist Sawyer Hackett, stressing the importance of acknowledging past mistakes. The electoral stakes continue to rise as the nation grapples with complex issues surrounding age, health, and leadership capabilities.