“Concerns About Biden’s Age and Memory Raised in Special Counsel Report”
In a shocking turn of events, a special counsel report has raised concerns about President Joe Biden’s age and memory. The 345-page report, delivered by special counsel Robert Hur, investigated Biden’s handling of classified documents after he left the vice-presidency in 2017. While the report concluded that the president would not face criminal charges for his actions, it revealed that Biden had “wilfully retained and disclosed classified materials… when he was a private citizen.”
The most damaging aspect of the report was the observation that Biden’s age and memory could be significant factors in his decision not to prosecute him. Hur listed several reasons for this, including the likelihood that a jury would view the 81-year-old president as a sympathetic figure, perceiving him as a “well-meaning, elderly man with a poor memory.” These findings have fueled Republican attacks and raised concerns among some Democrats about Biden’s competency to serve another four years in office.
The issue of Biden’s age and fitness for office has been a constant topic of discussion since he assumed the presidency. The latest report only adds more weight to these concerns. Chris Borick, the director of the Muhlenberg College Institute of Public Opinion, acknowledged that polling consistently shows voters believe Biden is too old to run. The Biden campaign has been desperately trying to confront this narrative, knowing it is their largest liability in the upcoming election.
In response to the report, the White House launched a furious counter-offensive. President Biden held an impromptu press conference where he vehemently denied any issues with his memory, stating, “I know what the hell I’m doing.” Special counsel Hur presented specific evidence to support his claim that Biden’s memory is indeed problematic. During interviews, Biden frequently struggled to recall relevant details and even had difficulty remembering which years he served as vice-president and when his son passed away.
The president’s angry response during the press conference, combined with recent verbal miscues, only expose the challenge Biden’s re-election effort faces. The best way to address concerns about his age is to run a vigorous campaign and increase public exposure. However, every attempt carries the risk of actions or evidence that further fuel existing concerns.
In an effort to defuse the impact of the report, Biden’s personal lawyer, Richard Sauber, urged the special counsel to omit references to the president’s mental acuity and lapses. Additionally, Biden noted that he provided testimony during the investigation while handling an international crisis. Biden’s allies have also criticized Hur’s impartiality, pointing out that he was appointed to a US attorney office by Donald Trump. However, it was Biden’s Attorney General Merrick Garland who selected Hur as special counsel.
The Biden team has not hesitated to highlight similar verbal missteps made by former President Donald Trump, who is also in his seventies. By drawing attention to Trump’s mistakes, they hope to divert focus from Biden’s own deficiencies.
While this report is undoubtedly damaging, some experts argue that concerns about Biden’s age are already ingrained in the race and therefore not fatal. Larry Sabato, the director for the Center for Politics at the University of Virginia, suggests that voters are already aware of Biden’s limitations. The public will raise an eyebrow at the report but likely won’t consider it a game-changer. Ultimately, when voters head to the polls, issues such as the economy and abortion will take precedence over assertions made in a special counsel report.
As time progresses, Biden’s age remains a constant concern. The worst-case scenario is that this report is just the beginning of a series of revelations that further undermine the president on this vulnerable front. One thing is clear – the president isn’t getting any younger.
Disclaimer: This article is based on a news report and does not reflect the views or opinions of the website it is published on.
