According to a Wall Street Journal report, people who have recently interacted with President Biden are increasingly concerned about his cognitive decline. At 81 years old, Biden is the oldest sitting POTUS.
WSJ conducted 45 interviews with both Democrats and Republicans about recent interactions with the aging POTUS and his White House.
“I used to meet with him when he was vice president. I’d go to his house,” former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy said in an interview. “He’s not the same person.”
From The Wall Street Journal:
The 81-year-old Biden is the oldest person to hold the presidency. His age and cognitive fitness have become major issues in his campaign for a second term, both in the minds of voters and in attacks on him by Republicans. The White House and top aides said he remains a sharp and vigorous leader.
Some who have worked with him, however, including Democrats and some who have known him back to his time as vice president, described a president who appears slower now, someone who has both good moments and bad ones.
For much of his career, Biden enjoyed a reputation on Capitol Hill for being a master negotiator of legislative deals, known for his detailed knowledge of issues and insights into the other side’s motivations and needs—and for hitting his stride when the pressure was on. Over the past year, though, with Republicans in control of the House, that reputation has diminished.
The WSJ article outlines several events and interactions where Biden appeared to be slipping cognitively, including a meeting about Ukraine on January 17th.
“You couldn’t be there and not feel uncomfortable,” said one person who attended. “I’ll just say that.”
“What you see on TV is what you get,” said Sen. James E. Risch, an Idaho Republican, who attended the meeting but shared only his general impression of meetings with Biden. “These people who keep talking about what a dynamo he is behind closed doors—they need to get him out from behind closed doors, because I didn’t see it.”
Full piece over at The Wall Street Journal:
From @WSJ: 'Behind Closed Doors, Biden Shows Signs of Slipping.' Outside the doors, too. 'Based on interviews with more than 45 people over several months.' https://t.co/rVX8ChRCwW
— Byron York (@ByronYork) June 5, 2024
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