
<p>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.</p>



<p>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, ; ;</p>



<p>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.</p>



<p>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.</p>



<p>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.</p>



<p>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.</p>



<p>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.</p>



<p>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 &#8212; and a digitally created President.</p>



<p>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.</p>



<p>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. ; ;</p>



<p>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?</p>



<p>So, there ‘tis.</p>

Biden is Afraid to Debate … As Well He Should Be
President Joe Biden holds a Cabinet meeting at the White House in Washington Nov. 12, 2021, to discuss the implementation of the $1 trillion infrastructure bill. (CNS photo/Kevin Lamarque, Reuters)