President Biden announces plans to "pace" himself, triggering concerns within the Democratic party about his ability to serve a second term.
President Joe Biden's recent comments about adjusting his schedule have ignited a debate within the Democratic party about his fitness to serve a second term. In a press conference on Thursday, Biden asserted that he needs to "pace" himself, suggesting that his current schedule may be too demanding.
President Biden's Pacing Strategy Raises Questions About His Fitness
This statement followed reports that Biden had told Democratic governors in a private meeting that he would limit events after 8 p.m. to prioritize sleep. Biden dismissed this as untrue, claiming he intended to adjust his schedule to start events earlier to allow attendees to return home by 10 p.m.
However, Biden also implied that his staff has been adding additional events to his schedule against his wishes. He admitted that he has received criticism from first lady Jill Biden over his packed agenda.
President Biden's Pacing Strategy Raises Questions About His Fitness
Despite Biden's insistence that he intends to maintain a "full bore" schedule, his announcement to "pace" himself has raised questions about his stamina and ability to handle the rigors of the presidency.
This concern is further amplified by the results of a recent poll conducted by ABC News and the Washington Post. The poll revealed that a large majority of Americans (67%) and Democrats (62%) believe Biden should drop out of the presidential race.
President Biden's Pacing Strategy Raises Questions About His Fitness
Moreover, 85% of respondents expressed concern that Biden is too old to serve a second term. These sentiments echo the concerns voiced by 18 elected Democrats who have publicly called for Biden to withdraw from the race.
Biden's age and mental acuity have been under scrutiny since before he took office. His televised debate performance against then-President Donald Trump in June 2023 was widely seen as rocky, further fueling concerns about his cognitive abilities.
President Biden's Pacing Strategy Raises Questions About His Fitness
Despite the doubts raised by his own party and the broader electorate, Biden's standing in the polls remains relatively strong. A horse race poll conducted by ABC News and the Washington Post found that Biden and Trump are virtually tied, with 46% and 47% of respondents expressing support for each candidate, respectively.
However, Biden's narrowing lead over Trump may not be enough to quell concerns within the Democratic party. The party may face a difficult decision in the coming months as they weigh Biden's age and fitness against his apparent electoral viability.
In the meantime, Biden is expected to participate in a series of high-stakes interviews next week as the Republican National Convention takes place. These interviews will provide Biden with an opportunity to address the concerns raised about his stamina and mental acuity, as well as to make his case for a second term.
The upcoming interviews will be closely watched by both Democrats and Republicans, as they seek to gauge Biden's fitness for office and the strength of his candidacy ahead of the 2024 election.
