Amidst swirling rumors and speculations about his potential run in the 2024 presidential election, President Joe Biden, at the age of 80, took a moment to address the topic with humor. Speaking to members of the Sheet Metal Workers union in Philadelphia, Biden quipped about his age, emphasizing his experience and hinting at no plans to step back from the political arena.
"I tell you what, someone said: ‘You know what? That Biden, he’s getting old, man. I tell you what,’” Biden remarked during a Labor Day event. He continued, “Well, guess what? Guess what? You know, the only thing that comes with age is a little bit of wisdom. I’ve been doing this longer than anybody, and guess what? I’m going to continue to do it, with your help.”
The President's comments come in the wake of recent claims made by Franklin Foer, author of "The Last Politician," which delves into Biden's initial two years in office. In an interview with NBC’s Chuck Todd, Foer mentioned that it wouldn't be a "total surprise" if Biden decided against running in the 2024 race. Fox News reporter Peter Doocy speculated that Biden's remarks might be a subtle response to Foer's claims.
Adding to the discourse, a recent poll by the Wall Street Journal revealed that nearly 75% of voters believe President Biden might be too old to serve a second term. This sentiment was echoed by two-thirds of the Democrats polled. Doocy highlighted this data, stating, “That same Wall Street Journal poll has 73% of voters, including two-thirds of Democrats, saying that President Biden is too old for another term.”
Biden's age has been a topic of discussion and scrutiny in recent times. Notably, in June, he mistakenly referred to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi as Chinese Prime Minister Li Qiang during a White House event. Such instances have fueled concerns among voters about Biden's age as the next election year approaches. USA Today also shed light on this issue, noting that even if Biden's age hasn't impacted his job performance, the public perception might differ.
Furthermore, Biden's age came under the microscope after a few gaffes, including confusing Ukraine for Iraq on multiple occasions since his inauguration in January 2021. An incident where he tripped and fell during the U.S. Air Force Academy graduation also raised eyebrows.
As the 2024 presidential election looms, the question remains: Will Biden run for a second term, or will he pass the torch to a new generation of leaders? Only time will tell, but for now, Biden seems to be taking the speculations in stride, with a touch of humor.