I’m about 19 months older than Biden, and I’m still working as a software developer. I think I’m as qualified as the next guy to affirm that, yes, recalling details sometimes takes longer at this age. But in this age of Google, where we can instantly find the detail we couldn’t recall, what’s more important to decision making: instant recall, or the wisdom that comes from a lifetime of relevant experience? Joe Biden’s resume qualifies him for the position better than anyone else I can think of!
I just checked, ONE SHARE of Berkshire Hathaway stock is $598,389.88 today. Berkshire Hathaway's Warren Buffet is 93 years old. Those folks with money are not selling out Warren Buffet. Biden may be one of our best presidents... why would we not want to keep him?
Consider the example of former President Woodrow Wilson. His wife essentially ran the country following an incapacitating stroke, and between Jill and Melania who would you trust?
Thank you again for itemizing the lopsided willful blindness of critics to the accomplishments of Joe Biden. I don't understand why his stutter is not recognized as a physical disability just as a damaged arm or weak back would be. People like Trump will always make fun of birth defects but far more people fault Biden for stuttering. He has worked incredibly well on overcoming it and is even more incredibly brave to go into a professional field that requires him to speak daily in public. And not just in public, but to international audiences and members of the highest offices in every country. He knows his words will be recorded and every stutter or attempt to avoid stuttering will be highlighted and rebroadcast for the rest of his life. And he still dares to go out and speak again the next day. And make jokes about it. He smiles! Biden should be praised as an example for all the children and adults who have similar functioning obstacles as the result of genetics or injury.
Sooo well said. Steven, please submit to national/regional newspapers for their opinion/guest columnist page - how many more to read? Regardless of friends' political leanings, share with all you know - this is 'it' in a nutshell! TY
Our Constitution lists 3 qualifications for our President: "the President must be at least 35 years of age, be a natural born citizen, and must have lived in the United States for at least 14 years" I wonder why our founders didn't put an upper limit on age? My guess would be they understood that we need the experience, wisdom, and character that can come with age. If the two choices for President this fall are Biden or Trump, Joe Biden is the only choice for America.
I'm sick of the MSM amplifying the narrative that Biden is too old for another term. The presidency is not about just one man. Look at the team of secretaries and advisors he has assembled, and compare them to the incompetent grifters TFG appointed! I'd lift up Antony Blinken, probably the most formidable SoS in my lifetime, as exhibit one. And Biden's cabinet is basically still intact, with the exception of Marty Walsh. I'd love to know the attrition rate for cabinet members under Trump. Age is only a number. What counts for me is the long list of Biden's accomplishments and his absolute mastery of the details required to govern. I wish the WH would release him from the bubble -- it seems that too many of his political advisors are trying to shield him in case he makes a mistake. He needs to be out there more!
Wonderful read Steve! And thanks you for saying what I’ve been thinking lol along. Enough with his age, let’s make sure we focus on his accomplishments!
There is no comparison between Joe Biden, a caring, experienced man who surrounds himself with the best people he can find, and tfg, a proven rapist and purveyor of hate. He surrounds himself with white ‘yes men’ and attacks women and minorities because he thinks he is superior to them. He also has been charged with 91 felonies in 4 jurisdictions, Joe Biden has never been charged with anything. Clearly, Joe is, by far, the better choice.
Hi @StevenBeschloss. I am starting with your concluding statement because that really sums up the choice we have in this election. "Let’s ensure America—like Finland—votes for leaders in November who understand the danger of Russia’s success and the further spread of authoritarianism around the world." Firstly, Biden's stuttering has nothing to do with age. It's a disability that many struggle with. His gaffes, mistaking the wrong leader for the wrong country. Who hasn't made such mistakes. Let's just look to the leading GOP presidential candidate. Where is the Washington Post Face Checker? 45 doesn't know history. He doesn't understand how important NATO is to our security. He mocked Niki Haley's husband for not being on the campaign trail, again mocking those who serve our country in dangerous places (I'm sure no one has forgotten his comments during his first campaign about John McCain.). Also, 45's spouse isn't on the campaign trail with him; and as far as I know she isn't serving our country in any way. I don't understand the media frenzy to blow the lesser parts of the Special Counsel's report into big news and overshadow the part that Biden is not being charged whereas 45 refused to cooperate with respect to documents he took from the White House and obstructed justice. Shame Shame mainstream media. Let's have some balanced reporting. If we wanted what you are now giving up we would watch FOX. I think Biden's humor in a recent appearance was excellent. I think Jill Biden said is best when she talked about the experience Biden has derived from his 81 years. This is going to be a difficult year. If the mainstream media isn't going to be fair and balanced, then the rest of us have to make sure that we use whatever means we can to get the real, balanced story out there. Our democratic republic depends on it. God Bless America 🇺🇸
Thanks, Steven, for this spot on article. You have described the situation, and the stark choice before Americans, perfectly. It occurs to me that perhaps a reasonable line of argument is that yes, Biden is old. As is Trump. But people age differently. Some become a bit slower and perhaps have some memory lapses. And others age in a way in which they become angrier, more aggressive and less apt to have the normal filters that younger people do. Biden is older, but in a benign way, and his experience more than makes up for that. Trump is also older but is aging in a way that is making him even more aggressive and abhorrent than he was before. Perhaps it would be better if a younger person was one of the choices but we will have a binary choice between "old and benign" and "old and dangerously evil". The fate of America, and perhaps the world, depends greatly on the choice that is made in November.
I also, Steven, look forward to a new generation of political leaders in 2029. But for now will boycott anything related to the R-Party(they’ve earned it), and will hope all things “blue” come November. Let that Party work things out for the coming 4 year cycle, and, if voters (those who choose to do all the whining) don’t like the results or consequence, well, they can vote their discontent in the next cycle. I appreciate your summations, Steven, and look forward to further essays. Safe travels…
I have read that people have an attention span less than a goldfish. So,forget how much people prayed for medicine to combat covid when it struck; forget how they ached for the people of Ukraine and praised Zelenskyy. Is it any wonder now, that they have forgotten the good that Biden has done and are concentrating on his age,his stumble, his mistaken word And why do these topics stick around so long if that is the case? Because the media and trump keep refreshing , repeating it. Why do people who know better, are more intelligent than so many of his followers, push for him and authoritarianism? Because they think they know better than others, have always been seen as smart/knowing, but they also make mistakes, want power,cannot admit they are now climbing up the wrong tree. Common sense is not automatic for intelligence. Look how many were taken in by Holmes and her supposed brilliant blood testing technique , even Henry Kissinger. Look at Douglas MacArthur who would have started WW III with his Korean foolishness. Or Bernie Madoff. It is hard to believe any Americans would choose Putin in a poll against Biden, this also psychopath who wants to restore the Soviet Union, our enemy throughout most of the 20th century. This little 5'7" not very important KGBer wannabe Stalin who killed 20,000,000 of his own people. Putin is worshiped by trump, and smarter. (Biden told followers that Puerto Rico was actually an " island surrounded by water, BIG water."Remember when he found out it was a state, he wanted to sell it?) Putin made a fool out of Carlson who could hardly get a word in edgewise.
I do agree that our national debt is way to high. $34 trillion, $769B of it owed to our upcoming biggest threat, China. The military aid pack is $95.3B.One F35 plane costs $177 M. The pack would buy 536 planes. How many do we need? None.
I agree that more should have been done sooner regarding the southern border and the gazillion immigrants wanting in. Everybody can't be an American. There should have been more action to make them want to stay in their own countries.
I have lowered my opinion of Garland. Too little, too late. And appointing Hur !!!!
I have thought from the beginning that a younger Democrat should be running for 2024. We are supposed to be a gov't of and by the citizens, not a life long occupation for so many. Biden could have been an advisor, could have gone out in a trail of glory. Now, he is, even in the polls, losing to Haley, losing Black and Hispanic and the young confidence. Churchill led Briton to glory, but look what happened to him-1945 election, goodbye 10 Downing St.
The amount of our National Debt owed to China ($769 Billion) is but 2.26% of our Total National Debt ($34 Trillion).
As for younger Citizens running for office . . . then they should, but where are they? Why don't we see more younger candidates? I have a thought and it's not anything nefarious, it is simply that they see how thankless the jobs are what with all the bruising negative campaigning and also the bare knuckle tactics in our governing bodies. Whatever genteelness that once existed in our political systems has apparently been beaten out of the body politic.
I’m about 19 months older than Biden, and I’m still working as a software developer. I think I’m as qualified as the next guy to affirm that, yes, recalling details sometimes takes longer at this age. But in this age of Google, where we can instantly find the detail we couldn’t recall, what’s more important to decision making: instant recall, or the wisdom that comes from a lifetime of relevant experience? Joe Biden’s resume qualifies him for the position better than anyone else I can think of!
I just checked, ONE SHARE of Berkshire Hathaway stock is $598,389.88 today. Berkshire Hathaway's Warren Buffet is 93 years old. Those folks with money are not selling out Warren Buffet. Biden may be one of our best presidents... why would we not want to keep him?
Consider the example of former President Woodrow Wilson. His wife essentially ran the country following an incapacitating stroke, and between Jill and Melania who would you trust?
Yeah, I'm riding with Biden even if he's comatose
Thank you again for itemizing the lopsided willful blindness of critics to the accomplishments of Joe Biden. I don't understand why his stutter is not recognized as a physical disability just as a damaged arm or weak back would be. People like Trump will always make fun of birth defects but far more people fault Biden for stuttering. He has worked incredibly well on overcoming it and is even more incredibly brave to go into a professional field that requires him to speak daily in public. And not just in public, but to international audiences and members of the highest offices in every country. He knows his words will be recorded and every stutter or attempt to avoid stuttering will be highlighted and rebroadcast for the rest of his life. And he still dares to go out and speak again the next day. And make jokes about it. He smiles! Biden should be praised as an example for all the children and adults who have similar functioning obstacles as the result of genetics or injury.
Sooo well said. Steven, please submit to national/regional newspapers for their opinion/guest columnist page - how many more to read? Regardless of friends' political leanings, share with all you know - this is 'it' in a nutshell! TY
Ha, ha, they won't print a word of it!
TFG has told us he’ll rule not govern.
We know who he is and should believe him.
We have to vote!
Our Constitution lists 3 qualifications for our President: "the President must be at least 35 years of age, be a natural born citizen, and must have lived in the United States for at least 14 years" I wonder why our founders didn't put an upper limit on age? My guess would be they understood that we need the experience, wisdom, and character that can come with age. If the two choices for President this fall are Biden or Trump, Joe Biden is the only choice for America.
Isolationism didn't work too well in stopping WWI and WWII which, together, killed more than 100 million people. Not a good way to save money.
Dump Trump. Simple answer.
I'm sick of the MSM amplifying the narrative that Biden is too old for another term. The presidency is not about just one man. Look at the team of secretaries and advisors he has assembled, and compare them to the incompetent grifters TFG appointed! I'd lift up Antony Blinken, probably the most formidable SoS in my lifetime, as exhibit one. And Biden's cabinet is basically still intact, with the exception of Marty Walsh. I'd love to know the attrition rate for cabinet members under Trump. Age is only a number. What counts for me is the long list of Biden's accomplishments and his absolute mastery of the details required to govern. I wish the WH would release him from the bubble -- it seems that too many of his political advisors are trying to shield him in case he makes a mistake. He needs to be out there more!
Wonderful read Steve! And thanks you for saying what I’ve been thinking lol along. Enough with his age, let’s make sure we focus on his accomplishments!
There is no comparison between Joe Biden, a caring, experienced man who surrounds himself with the best people he can find, and tfg, a proven rapist and purveyor of hate. He surrounds himself with white ‘yes men’ and attacks women and minorities because he thinks he is superior to them. He also has been charged with 91 felonies in 4 jurisdictions, Joe Biden has never been charged with anything. Clearly, Joe is, by far, the better choice.
Hi @StevenBeschloss. I am starting with your concluding statement because that really sums up the choice we have in this election. "Let’s ensure America—like Finland—votes for leaders in November who understand the danger of Russia’s success and the further spread of authoritarianism around the world." Firstly, Biden's stuttering has nothing to do with age. It's a disability that many struggle with. His gaffes, mistaking the wrong leader for the wrong country. Who hasn't made such mistakes. Let's just look to the leading GOP presidential candidate. Where is the Washington Post Face Checker? 45 doesn't know history. He doesn't understand how important NATO is to our security. He mocked Niki Haley's husband for not being on the campaign trail, again mocking those who serve our country in dangerous places (I'm sure no one has forgotten his comments during his first campaign about John McCain.). Also, 45's spouse isn't on the campaign trail with him; and as far as I know she isn't serving our country in any way. I don't understand the media frenzy to blow the lesser parts of the Special Counsel's report into big news and overshadow the part that Biden is not being charged whereas 45 refused to cooperate with respect to documents he took from the White House and obstructed justice. Shame Shame mainstream media. Let's have some balanced reporting. If we wanted what you are now giving up we would watch FOX. I think Biden's humor in a recent appearance was excellent. I think Jill Biden said is best when she talked about the experience Biden has derived from his 81 years. This is going to be a difficult year. If the mainstream media isn't going to be fair and balanced, then the rest of us have to make sure that we use whatever means we can to get the real, balanced story out there. Our democratic republic depends on it. God Bless America 🇺🇸
Thanks, Steven, for this spot on article. You have described the situation, and the stark choice before Americans, perfectly. It occurs to me that perhaps a reasonable line of argument is that yes, Biden is old. As is Trump. But people age differently. Some become a bit slower and perhaps have some memory lapses. And others age in a way in which they become angrier, more aggressive and less apt to have the normal filters that younger people do. Biden is older, but in a benign way, and his experience more than makes up for that. Trump is also older but is aging in a way that is making him even more aggressive and abhorrent than he was before. Perhaps it would be better if a younger person was one of the choices but we will have a binary choice between "old and benign" and "old and dangerously evil". The fate of America, and perhaps the world, depends greatly on the choice that is made in November.
I also, Steven, look forward to a new generation of political leaders in 2029. But for now will boycott anything related to the R-Party(they’ve earned it), and will hope all things “blue” come November. Let that Party work things out for the coming 4 year cycle, and, if voters (those who choose to do all the whining) don’t like the results or consequence, well, they can vote their discontent in the next cycle. I appreciate your summations, Steven, and look forward to further essays. Safe travels…
Thx much.
12 Feb 24
This election is not about age or Senior citizens.
This election is about NOT RE-ELECTING an indicted former 45th President whom the public has now learned is a communist sympathizer.
I have read that people have an attention span less than a goldfish. So,forget how much people prayed for medicine to combat covid when it struck; forget how they ached for the people of Ukraine and praised Zelenskyy. Is it any wonder now, that they have forgotten the good that Biden has done and are concentrating on his age,his stumble, his mistaken word And why do these topics stick around so long if that is the case? Because the media and trump keep refreshing , repeating it. Why do people who know better, are more intelligent than so many of his followers, push for him and authoritarianism? Because they think they know better than others, have always been seen as smart/knowing, but they also make mistakes, want power,cannot admit they are now climbing up the wrong tree. Common sense is not automatic for intelligence. Look how many were taken in by Holmes and her supposed brilliant blood testing technique , even Henry Kissinger. Look at Douglas MacArthur who would have started WW III with his Korean foolishness. Or Bernie Madoff. It is hard to believe any Americans would choose Putin in a poll against Biden, this also psychopath who wants to restore the Soviet Union, our enemy throughout most of the 20th century. This little 5'7" not very important KGBer wannabe Stalin who killed 20,000,000 of his own people. Putin is worshiped by trump, and smarter. (Biden told followers that Puerto Rico was actually an " island surrounded by water, BIG water."Remember when he found out it was a state, he wanted to sell it?) Putin made a fool out of Carlson who could hardly get a word in edgewise.
I do agree that our national debt is way to high. $34 trillion, $769B of it owed to our upcoming biggest threat, China. The military aid pack is $95.3B.One F35 plane costs $177 M. The pack would buy 536 planes. How many do we need? None.
I agree that more should have been done sooner regarding the southern border and the gazillion immigrants wanting in. Everybody can't be an American. There should have been more action to make them want to stay in their own countries.
I have lowered my opinion of Garland. Too little, too late. And appointing Hur !!!!
I have thought from the beginning that a younger Democrat should be running for 2024. We are supposed to be a gov't of and by the citizens, not a life long occupation for so many. Biden could have been an advisor, could have gone out in a trail of glory. Now, he is, even in the polls, losing to Haley, losing Black and Hispanic and the young confidence. Churchill led Briton to glory, but look what happened to him-1945 election, goodbye 10 Downing St.
Let's face it. We're in a pickle!!
The amount of our National Debt owed to China ($769 Billion) is but 2.26% of our Total National Debt ($34 Trillion).
As for younger Citizens running for office . . . then they should, but where are they? Why don't we see more younger candidates? I have a thought and it's not anything nefarious, it is simply that they see how thankless the jobs are what with all the bruising negative campaigning and also the bare knuckle tactics in our governing bodies. Whatever genteelness that once existed in our political systems has apparently been beaten out of the body politic.