https://politico.com/news/biden-biggest-vulnerability
Fulks acknowledged the obvious: You can’t change the age of the president, who will turn 81 on Monday. Instead, he advised the donor to focus on Biden’s historic accomplishments.
Fulks’ response, which was described by four people who attended the session, was well-received by those who see his age as a mark of his deep experience — and met with disagreement by others, who fear not enough is being done to remind voters that former President Donald Trump is just three-and-a-half years younger. All told, it highlighted a larger dynamic currently facing the party: Not everyone is sure what the right playbook is for handling the president’s most sensitive vulnerability.
Interviews with more than a dozen Biden donors and fundraisers, Democratic strategists and party officials, many of whom were granted anonymity to discuss the issue candidly, revealed deep concerns that the campaign’s approach to his age isn’t enough to quell voters’ fears about it. Many donors are directly urging top campaign aides to go on offense, leaning even harder into Biden’s age as proof of his wisdom in turbulent times. They are pushing for more humor about “Grandpa Joe.”
“I think everyone knows it’s an issue, and we have to address it,” said Ron Klain, who served as Biden’s chief of staff for his first two years in the White House. He added that it’s important to “emphasize [that] it gives him more wisdom and experience, how he’s navigated this difficult problem in Ukraine.”
“He’ll keep on doing the job, campaigning with vigor and demonstrating to the American people his energy level, which is quite robust,” Klain said.
@ISIDEWITH6mos6MO
How would you feel if a family member in their 80s held a highly demanding job; does age equate to wisdom or weariness in leadership?
@7HJNSX6Republican 6mos6MO
Age doesn’t matter to me per se, so long as the individual is able to do his or her job it shouldn’t matter. When that person has lost the ability to function in that role, it may be best for that individual to step down.
@9H4HFY86mos6MO
Age may not always define wisdom but it can, you just need to know how one functions at that specific age and decide if it is best to keep them or not.
@9H4GLL5Peace and Freedom6mos6MO
I think it should depend on mental health and health overall
@9H4J4TZWomen’s Equality6mos6MO
Age can be associated with declines in physical and mental health. Depending on an individual's health status, they may face challenges in maintaining the stamina and cognitive sharpness required for demanding roles.
@UrchinSamDemocrat6mos6MO
What accomplishments, though? His Presidency has been a stream of dangerous failures, from Afghanistan to inflation to Russia to Hamas.
@LeftistSausageGreen6mos6MO
The Biden campaign's plan to "Focus on his accomplishments" = Plan for the past
Trump is planning for the future. Example: New cities on federal land, flying cars.
The "planning for the past" reframe is how Bill Clinton beat old-but-loveable Bob Dole.
A younger man can brag about accomplishments and get away with it. When a nearly-dead guy does it, he's conceding the race.
It's game over.
@ISIDEWITH6mos6MO
At what point, if any, should a leader's age become a reason for them to step down, regardless of their accomplishments?
@9H4F2W26mos6MO
A mental competency test should be established for all politicians over the age of 75. If passed, they can hold their seat. If failed, said politician should not be allowed to run for reelection.
@9H4DSVG6mos6MO
Required to take two psychological test through a private non disclose companies from both political parties. If one finds an issue then a multi judge panel make final determination.
Wait. Why is everyone still talking about Biden? They had the handoff ceremony earlier this week with their Chinese masters. It’s Newsom now.
@XtraordinarySnipe6mos6MO
Everyone in the entire world can see that Biden is struggling. And even Trump cannot save him.
