Despite numerous gaffes over the past 15 days and previously, Joe Biden still aims for a second four-year term as a President of the United States of America. At 82, he holds one of the most challenging jobs in the world.
Is he truly in charge, or is his not so capable staff running the show? That, we may never know.
At his age, most people retire or take on lighter duties, but being the President of the United States is neither an easy nor a forgiving role. Mistakes can make headline news, as they did when he mistakenly introduced Zelensky as Putin during a NATO conference in Washington. While amusing, such errors raise questions about his health and whether his days in the White House are numbered.
So far, seventeen Democrats in Congress have urged him to withdraw from the race. It's estimated that Democratic fundraising for the November elections is faltering, with nearly $90 million in donations lost as donors withdraw their support.
However, Joe Biden insists he is in good health and plans to continue his role and fight in the upcoming elections. In a press conference, he stated that he undergoes daily examinations by a neurologist, who has not advised him to stop. He claims his schedule runs from 7:00 AM to midnight every day. In the opinion of many, that is a very demanding schedule for an 82-year-old man.
Why is he determined to continue in his job?
One important reason is that he does not want to be recorded in history as the one who gave up his job and facilitated his arch-rival Donald Trump to grab it. Other reasons might be personal, and we may never know them. Regardless of his motivations, he is persisting at the risk of his health.Currently, the Democratic Party is in disarray. They have not yet rallied in large numbers to urge him to retire, but a rebellion is brewing. This silent rebellion could become loud and fierce if, during the second debate with Trump, he makes the same gaffes as before. In such a case, the substance of the debate will be forgotten, and only the gaffes will dominate the headlines. It's ironic for a man seeking a second term in office.
This situation raises a serious question: who is running the White House if the President is deficient in health and mental state? It is concerning if unelected officials are passing orders on his behalf. It appears that foreign policy is being directed by the Secretary of State and the National Security Advisor, who may be making decisions and then informing the President. If so, the wars in Ukraine and Israel are at risk.
Recently, the US Ambassador and the National Security Advisor criticized the Indian Prime Minister's trip to Moscow, both expressing similar sentiments from thousands of miles away. Their remarks, suggesting that India-US relations are not deep enough and hinting that Washington could reconsider its stance on India, were inappropriate. Such statements should come directly from the President. India is not a small, insignificant nation to be pushed around by unelected officials. This raises the question: who is truly in charge, the President or these officials?
The longer it takes to persuade Joe Biden to quit the race, the harder it will be to find a replacement.
This is a serious political issue that has been thrust upon the American democratic process. Solutions could be found today, but as time passes, it will be harder to find a worthy contestant to challenge Donald Trump.
