Any references to President Biden’s physical and mental decline are met by Team Biden with over-the-top claims of super-human abilities. MSNBC’s Joe Scarborough says Biden is “better than ever.” White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre repeatedly brags about Biden’s energy and mental abilities. “We can hardly keep up with him,” is the cliché exaggeration.
To keep up the superhuman narrative, Biden’s handlers insulate him from as much unscripted impromptu exposure as possible. His public statements are mostly read from the teleprompter in a closed environment. He holds fewer press conferences than any modern President – and has virtually dispensed with taking questions from reporters.
Biden has become famous for note (cheat) sheets that provide instructions of the most basic level – like “greet guests” and “take your seat.”
Even with the guardrails, Biden frequently gaffes, misstates or seems to be pausing in some sort of senior moment. He appears confused at times. He often appears to be unsteady on his feet – and occasionally falls.
Like Franklin Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson, the manipulation of family and staff can conceal a great deal of reality concerning both mental and physical conditions. That is because Biden has not lost it completely – but appears to be in the early stages of mental decline. Anyone who has had parents, friends or a partner going down the road of mental decline knows the symptoms. There are good days and bad – or sad – days – with the latter becoming inevitably more frequent. And one thing we are for certain. It will only get worse in the future.
Because the President of the United States is not accessible to the people – and lives in political isolation – he can be figuratively bubble wrapped. Rather than an interactive President, we can be left with a virtual President whose appearances are increasingly crafted …staged … produced like a character in a movie.
But … there are limits. The fact that the more frail and diminished Biden is occasionally seen through cracks in the façade demonstrates that no amount of control and craftmanship can completely disguise the obvious.
Even more telling was a recent report in the Wall Street Journal that went backstage – revealing more serious concerns expressed by those interacting with Biden in business meetings. At the White House celebration of Juneteenth (nine days ahead of the actual holiday), Biden appeared to be statue-like – with a Sardonic smile — for a prolonged period as those around him danced and clapped vigorously to the music. That is not normal.
Let me be perfectly clear. I do believe because of the nature of the office, the surrounding of handlers and the benefits of modern technology, Biden can – at this moment – function well enough to perform the duties as President. He can have his good days.
But … more and more he seems to lose his train of thought … appears confused … freezes … mumbles incoherently. If you compare videos of the 2020 Biden with today, the change is obvious and dramatic.
If these were his last days in office, there would be no issue to raise. Giving him four more years, however, would be reckless disregard for the office of the President. The only justification would be a willingness or desire to have President Harris in the future.
Biden has not yet lost his ability to function with a lot of help and protection. But he is in the process of “losing it.” That is undeniable. And he will not improve in the future.
So, there ‘tis.
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