“Why Age is a Major Concern for President Biden’s Reelection Bid – Analysis by Gerard Araud”

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CHRONIC. In the United States, the age of the president, candidate for a new mandate, is in all the conversations Republicans… and Democrats. And not to his advantage.

Par Gerard Araud

Mhere I am back in the United States for a while and, as soon as I arrive, I am struck by the rejection of the Biden candidacy, even among the most Democratic of my contacts. I knew that the age of the incumbent – ​​80 years old today, 86 at the end of a second term – raised legitimate questions; I expected Republicans to use this argument, but I did not expect such outcry in all quarters against the President’s decision to run again. “He’s senile”, you hear regularly as soon as you bring up the subject. “He is too old,” say the most benevolent. During the 2016 campaign that was to see the victory of Donald Trump, a must for dinners in Washington was the moment when a guest began the conversation.