Joe Biden’s mental acuity, or lack thereof, is no longer something the press or voters can ignore. Yet, day after day, blunder after blunder that is exactly what they continue to do.
Not only does the press ignore it, but Democrats insist on denying it. Karin Jean Pierre, the White House Press Secretary downplayed critiques of Biden’s cognitive abilities in a statement claiming:
“The President, he traveled yesterday. He’s traveling today. You saw how extensively he traveled during the mid-terms. Especially his foreign travel. This is someone who is incredibly active as president and will continue to do so. That will not change.”
To be fair, Biden isn’t the only one who voters deem too old to be the leader of the free world. At 77, Donald Trump is no spring chicken either. He was the oldest president to take office in 2016 at age 70 until Joe Biden came along to steal that achievement from him.
Karl Rove, 73, addressed the age factor in the next election. “I think we’re at a point in our country’s history where people are dying for a generational shift. The party that figures that out has the upper hand next year.”
Apparently, neither party has yet.
Older People Care More
It continues to miff me how the general electorate doesn’t toss both of these men to the curb.
Maybe it’s because the average age of a majority of voters skews heavily toward an older generation. According to one report, while a record number of young voters turned out to vote in 2020 (which likely contributed to Biden’s victory), voter turnout was still highest in the 65-74 age group at 76 percent.
Despite the median age of the U.S. population hovering around 38 years old, older voters seem more motivated to cast their ballots. This may be a result of a generation that believes their participation in democracy matters along with a higher interest in civic engagement.
Over the past few decades, courses in civics and politics at the grade and high school level seem to be on the decline, while more identity based curriculum including critical race theory and gender studies has permeated higher levels of education.
According to the NEA (National Education Association), only 25 percent of U.S. students reach the “proficient” standard on the NAEP Civics Assessment.
The purpose of civics classes was to go beyond merely informing young people how a system of democracy works and encouraging a vote. Civics courses were also essential to teaching children why a democracy required self-governance and that “protecting the common good would require developing students’ critical thinking and debate skills, along with strong civic virtues.”
It seems today’s younger generation with its requirements of safe spaces and inability to confront ideas it disagrees with in a reasonable and critical manner is a far cry from the aims of such an education.
Even the schools that continue to promote civic education still lack the essential elements of the course that produce well rounded, virtuous citizens. Volunteering and serving in the local community, debate, communicating with elected officials and discussing politics at home are all essential to develop an understanding of what contributes to a free, democratic society.
According to the NEA site: “Blind devotion to the state or its leaders would never be enough. Rather, being American was something to be learned and carried out.”
Why Trump’s Age Doesn’t Matter as Much
This civic spirit seems to be alive and well in Trump voters. Not only does he rouse his base’s patriotism, but also their sense of duty and participation in the American dream.
And it is why, despite his age, Trump still has fuel in the tank to tour the country and rally voters, all while fighting off numerous legal challenges. He is consistently motivated by the energy of those who understand why the American experiment is unique and exceptional. The zeal of those who fought for such ideals or lived through the turbulent times required to protect them is like gasoline on a fire.
Biden seems to be bolstered by supporters who constantly decry what is wrong with America, focusing on identity politics that fuels anger. It’s a difficult platform to get excited about as evidenced by Biden’s anemic turnout at the few engagements he does attend.
Democrats seem to think it’s better to keep Biden in the basement than suffer any more embarrassments.
Without an enthusiastic base, a candidate will lose vigor, no matter what the age. With spirited supporters, and maybe a large supply of Diet Coke, the tank can remain full and a candidate like Trump, may live to see another four years in the White House.
From 19FortyFive
Joe Biden Is Starting To Scare Everyone
