According to the Democratic National Committee (meaning Joe Biden), there will be no presidential debates among the Democrat candidates for president. In other words, President Biden feels incapable of handling an unscripted event in which he and his handlers do not control his statements, the questions, and the counterpoints of opponents.
I chose the word “incapable” deliberately. He and his inner circle know that Biden does not have the mental acuity to speak off the cuff. He can only deal with issues in a closed and scripted format,
His inability to campaign in public and speak extemporaneously was already evident in the 2020 campaign. He used the Covid-19 Pandemic as an excuse to remain in his Delaware basement bunker – speaking to the voters through rehearsed and scripted videos and a smattering of friendly softball interviews. In casual public appearances, he was more likely to be seen than heard.
As President, Biden has avoided open press conferences and impromptu interviews. In fact, no President in modern times has had fewer meetings with the press. Even at special events, he avoids taking unarranged questions.
Biden was once an effective orator. He could handle anything thrown at him by the press or political adversaries. You can see it in the old newsreels. He is not the same man he was in those days. In fact, on those rare occasions that he does find himself without script, he often makes serious gaffes. Some say that is just old Joe – when it is really OLD Joe.
When properly prepped and rehearsed, Biden can pull off a good speech. His home state Senator Chris Coons defends Biden’s mental agility by pointing to his recent State of the Union Speech. As I had written at the time, Biden performed well in that speech. He rose to the occasion. But that was still a very carefully scripted and rehearsed event with a teleprompter.
Biden’s dedication to scripted video statements was underscored by the fact that he had a television studio constructed in the White House. Many of his statements from the “White House” are recorded on a set – not in the Oval Office or some meeting room – as all past presidents did.
Biden has become a virtual reality President. There is little difference between his appearance in electronic video statements – including the recent announcement of his candidacy — and a digitally created President.
Biden’s relative seclusion has already broken norms and traditions of presidential communication. And now he cannot handle a debate. Is he afraid to face Tulsi Gabbard and Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. – and whoever else enters the Democrat primary? Will he also refuse to debate his Republican opponent in the General Election? I am betting that he will find an excuse not to debate.
It appears that Biden will be able to coast to the end of his first term – although he is at that anything-can-happen age. But I think his health and mental acuity will not get better with age—Au contraire.
I go with President Carter, who said that anyone over 80 is too old to carry out the duties of the President of the United States. If Biden cannot handle a debate in 2024, how is he going to handle complex topics and tough negotiations in 2028?
So, there ‘tis.