In a surprising revelation, liberal-leaning MSNBC broadcaster Joe Scarborough has asserted that “every” Democrat he has privately spoken to believes President Joe Biden is too old to seek re-election.
Scarborough’s revelation came during a Wednesday conversation with David Ignatius, a foreign affairs columnist for The Washington Post, who recently penned an editorial urging the 80-year-old president not to run for a second term in 2024.
Voters Question Joe Biden’s Age
This viewpoint is also shared by a significant portion of Americans, with three-quarters of the population and two-thirds of left-leaning voters holding similar sentiments.
During the on-air discussion, Scarborough emphasized the widespread concern within Democratic circles about Biden’s age. He stated, “Mika [Brzezinski] and I, everybody we talk to, every political discussion, all it talks a lot about Trump, but when it comes to Joe Biden, people say, ‘Man, he’s too old to run, isn’t he?’”
Scarborough clarified that when he mentioned “every discussion,” he meant precisely that, with the sentiment being unanimous among those he had spoken with.
He even mentioned that he had inquired about this with Reverend Al Sharpton, who had also acknowledged hearing similar sentiments.
Private Concerns vs. Public Statements
The dichotomy between private conversations and public statements within the Democratic party was not lost on Scarborough.
He pointed out, “We often will complain about Republicans who will say one thing about Donald Trump off the air and another on air. Well, let me just say, Democrats off the air will say ‘Joe Biden’s too old. Why is he running?’ On the air — they won’t say that.”
Despite this private unease, President Joe Biden has consistently dismissed questions regarding his age and mental acuity as he pursues a second term.
He has repeatedly argued that he is the best candidate to defeat the GOP front-runner, Donald Trump, who, at 77 years old, also faces his own set of challenges, including 91 felony charges.
If re-elected, Joe Biden would reach the age of 86 by the end of a second term, surpassing Trump’s record as the oldest president in U.S. history.
No Clear Democratic Alternative to Joe Biden
When asked by Ignatius about a potential alternative Democratic candidate for 2024, the columnist could not name a suitable contender. Instead, he urged President Biden to “search his soul” and consider whether he is the best person to beat Trump or any other GOP nominee.
It remains to be seen how this growing concern about President Biden’s age will impact the 2024 presidential race. As of now, the highest-profile Democrat challenging Biden for the party’s nomination is Robert F. Kennedy Jr, who currently enjoys 11% support among likely voters, according to FiveThirtyEight.
Georgia Gilholy is a journalist based in the United Kingdom who has been published in Newsweek, The Times of Israel, and the Spectator. Gilholy writes about international politics, culture, and education.
From the Vault
