Many are urging President Biden to step aside, citing his age as a central weakness. While I agree that having a president in his 90s is not ideal, it’s important to recognize that all else is never equal. Criticisms of Biden’s age miss the mark, as they fail to acknowledge his growing strength and accomplishments.
In fact, I had the same concerns about Biden’s age during the 2020 election. He stumbled over words and phrases, and his views seemed antiquated. However, he went on to win the Democratic primary and the general election. He has defied expectations by not only communicating effectively, but by passing significant legislation.
While his linguistic inconsistencies might not appeal to language experts, he has bridged generational and partisan divides within the Democratic Party, creating a synthesis between the party’s young, liberal members and its traditional supporters. His policy agenda reflects today’s Democratic Party but is married with a political style that harkens back to a previous era. This is a remarkable achievement, especially in the absence of a transcendent political figure.
In addition, Biden’s age has brought him a sense of restraint. He doesn’t seek the spotlight as much as he used to, instead leaving space for others, including Republicans, to make meaningful contributions. His relative quiet has arguably made his policy agenda more popular than he is, and has allowed voters to focus more on the dangers posed by Republicans.
Biden now has a record of his own, including passing significant infrastructure, climate, science and technology investments. Unemployment is at its lowest level since 1969, inflation is down, and he has successfully rallied a coalition against Russia while lessening America’s dependence on Chinese manufacturing. His purchase on the present and his vision for the future give him a position that no other Democrat or Republican has at the moment.
Although there is concern about how he will fare against a more youthful Republican opponent, as age and accident could befall him at any moment, Biden has demonstrated that he has much more to offer than a youthful, energetic candidate might. While age does matter, it is not the only factor to consider when evaluating a candidate’s fitness for office.
