Clyburn Responds To Claim About Biden
In American politics, the age and health of the candidates are always points of discussion, and this election season is no different.
The incumbent President, Joe Biden, is facing scrutiny over his age and recent gaffes, with 86% of Americans believing he is too old to serve a second term in the White House. However, one veteran Democrat is coming to his defense, saying that Biden’s gaffes have “nothing to do with his brain.” Rep. Jim Clyburn, a co-chair of Biden’s re-election campaign, spoke out on Saturday in an interview on CNN, defending the President’s lifelong battle with stuttering.
Clyburn pointed out that Biden has struggled with stuttering since childhood and that it is what caused a lot of his speech impediments. He stated that one stumble should not be used to discredit Biden’s ability to lead and that people are quick to jump to the conclusion that he is too old for the job. In defending Biden, Clyburn referenced a recent survey of historians that ranked all the presidents from best to worst. The survey ranked Biden in 14th place, and former President Donald Trump in last place, despite being in the top ten for some.
Clyburn also brought up former President Franklin Roosevelt, who was in a wheelchair but is still widely regarded as one of the best presidents in American history. He stated that Roosevelt’s disability did not affect his ability to lead the country and that it should not be a factor in judging a candidate’s competence. With this, Clyburn seemed to suggest that there is a double standard when it comes to gaffes and “meandering” remarks between Biden and Trump, with Biden receiving more criticism.
Recently, Biden’s ability to lead effectively was called into question with the release of a report by special counsel Robert Hur. The report criticized Biden’s handling of classified documents and mentioned memory problems that could impact a jury’s decision.
In response to the report, Biden held an impromptu press conference, in which he confidently stated that his memory was “fine” but then proceeded to mix up world leaders. This raised further concerns about his mental acuity among his critics.
In the days leading up to the report’s release, Biden also made headlines for talking about discussions with European heads of state who had passed away before those conversations could have taken place. These incidents have added fuel to the fire for those who believe Biden’s age and health are a serious issue. However, Clyburn’s comments about Trump and Roosevelt present a different perspective and suggest that there may be other factors at play.
Overall, the discussion around Biden’s age and health is not a new one in American politics. With the incumbent president being 81 years old, concerns about his ability to handle the demands of the job are understandable.
However, it is important to look at the facts and not jump to conclusions based on isolated incidents. Clyburn’s comments about Biden’s stutter and his comparison to other presidents throughout history provide a different perspective and remind us not to dismiss a candidate’s capabilities based on their age or health alone.
The upcoming election will ultimately determine whether Biden will continue to serve as President. While his age and health will likely remain points of discussion, it is important to focus on the policies and plans that both candidates have for the country’s future.
As Clyburn stated, there is a lot at stake in this election, and it is crucial to make an informed decision based on each candidate’s qualifications, not just their age. Regardless of the outcome, the American people will continue to closely monitor the age and health of their leaders, and proper measures will be taken to ensure their ability to serve in the highest office in the nation.