Former aides who closely collaborated with former Vice President Joe Biden during the Obama administration have raised red flags about his age, stating it is “a very real issue.” They express genuine concerns about Biden’s perceived increase in frailty and speech clarity issues, noting a potential impact on his re-election campaign.
Jon Favreau, former chief speechwriter for Obama during Biden’s vice presidency, highlighted on the “Pod Save America” podcast that Biden now often sounds more frail than in previous years, particularly in 2019 and 2020. Favreau mentioned that Biden’s voice sounds frail, and his movements are affected by arthritis in his back, making him appear “mumbly.”
Polls have indicated that up to 80% of Americans are worried about President Biden being 81 years old, and there is a consensus among the former aides that this issue needs to be addressed directly. Despite the president’s occasional mistakes in speech, Favreau emphasized the importance of increasing Biden’s on-camera presence to alleviate concerns about his age, cautioning that his absence would only exacerbate the situation.
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Jon Lovett, a co-host of a podcast and former speechwriter for Obama, agreed and suggested that showcasing Biden’s mental and physical capabilities in public, despite potential worries about mistakes, is crucial for his campaign.
In a separate interview, Dan Pfeiffer, a former senior adviser to Obama, shared his personal worries and labeled Biden’s age as “a very real issue.” Pfeiffer emphasized that if Biden fails to assuage concerns about his age, especially among voters who supported him in 2020, it could jeopardize his chances of winning the election. According to Pfeiffer, addressing concerns about Biden’s age should be the primary strategic focus for the re-election campaign.
The concerns raised by these former Obama aides highlight the complexities surrounding Biden’s age and its potential impact on his ability to lead and secure re-election. As the campaign progresses, addressing these concerns and presenting Biden in a positive light may become a critical factor in shaping public opinion.
