Republicans raise questions about President Biden's mental health

2024-02-10 18:50:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

Republican rivals are raising questions about the mental acuity of Mr. Joe Biden, after a verbal slip by the American president that has deepened concerns among American voters about his age. Candidate Nikki Haley's campaign re-released a video ad targeting aging presidential candidates.

Q: What do you think, should politicians be tested on their mental abilities? "I believe so," says a voter.

Mrs. Haley's campaign officials said: "Biden lacks the mental capacity to serve effectively as president." Jason Miller, an adviser to Mr. Trump's campaign, said: "Biden will not be sharper (mentally) in November." Mr. Trump's campaign team said that: "Joe Biden is not only showing signs of aging, but he is endangering our national security."

"My memory is fine ... take a look at my work since I became president," Mr. Biden said.

On Thursday, reporters raised questions about the president's condition after a special prosecutor's report on suspicions of unauthorized retention of classified documents. The report also mentions the president's memory problems.

During a press conference on Thursday, as Mr. Biden spoke about efforts to provide aid to the people of Gaza, he mistakenly referred to the Egyptian president's name as "the president of Mexico."

"Initially the president of Mexico, Sissi, did not want to open the gate to allow humanitarian material to enter," he said.

It is the third time in recent weeks that Mr. Biden has mixed up the names of world leaders.

As November's presidential election approaches, Mr. Biden's missteps are adding to criticism among Republicans who say the president is unfit to lead. This has increased the anxiety of Democrats about his age and caused reactions from the White House.

"The president over the past three years has improved the economy, health care and the country," said White House spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre.

President Biden's mental and physical state is criticized every time he makes a mistake, gets his mouth shut or falls off his bike. But being a leader requires many other, more important things.

"Governance requires management, team building and coalition formation. There is no sign that Biden has raised questions on these fronts," says William Howell, professor of American politics at the University of Chicago.

According to an NBC News poll released this week, 76% of voters say they have major or moderate concerns about Mr. Biden's mental and physical health. Only 48% of respondents express concern about Mr. Trump.

In early February, the former president mistakenly referred to his rival Nikki Haley as former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi./ VOA