A February poll found most Americans, including majorities of Republicans and independents, believe President Joe Biden’s age and health would severely limit his ability to fulfill his duties if reelected in 2024.
Only 12% thought it would have no effect. This follows a Special Counsel report on Biden’s classified documents case that declined prosecution partly due to Biden’s demonstrated poor memory during an interview.
“We have also considered that, at trial, Mr. Biden would likely present himself to a jury, as he did during our interview of him, as a sympathetic, well-meaning, elderly man with a poor memory,” the report states.
“Based on our direct interactions with and observations of him, he is someone for whom many jurors will want to identify reasonable doubt,” it adds.
The report described Biden forgetting basic facts like when he was vice president or when his son died.
“In his interview with our office, Mr. Biden’s memory was worse. He did not remember when he was vice president, forgetting on the first day of the interview when his term ended (‘If it was 2013 – when did I stop being Vice President?’), and forgetting on the second day of the interview when his term began (‘In 2009, am I still Vice President?’),” it states.
“He did not remember, even within several years, when his son Beau died,” the report added.
Biden denied memory issues in response, though he reinforced concerns by messing up details.
The poll and report add to mounting concerns about Biden’s mental acuity should he seek another term.
