Former aides to then-Vice President Joe Biden during the Obama administration have voiced concerns about Biden’s apparent decline in physical and vocal robustness, labeling his age as “a very real issue.” Jon Favreau, Obama’s chief speechwriter when Biden served as vice president, noted on the “Pod Save America” podcast that Biden often sounds frail and more mumbly than in previous years. Favreau highlighted the president’s physical signs of aging, such as shuffling due to arthritis in his back and a frail-sounding voice.
Polls have indicated that a significant portion of the American public, as much as 80%, is concerned about Biden being 81 years old, perceiving a noticeable decline. Favreau suggested that Biden needs to tackle this issue head-on, advocating for more public appearances to assuage voter concerns, despite the risk of more gaffes. The absence of Biden during critical world events, according to Favreau, exacerbates public concern about his capability to lead forcefully.
Jon Lovett, another former Obama speechwriter and co-host of the podcast, concurred, emphasizing the need for Biden to demonstrate his mental and physical abilities publicly, despite potential missteps. Meanwhile, Dan Pfeiffer, a former Obama senior adviser, also acknowledged Biden’s age as a critical issue for his re-election campaign, asserting that addressing concerns about Biden’s age should be a top strategic priority.
David Axelrod, a former Obama campaign strategist, suggested that the Biden campaign could benefit from leaning into the president’s personality, including his temper, and using “Biden-esque” language that could resonate with voters and go viral online.
These comments from former Obama administration officials underscore the growing concern within Democratic circles about the impact of Biden’s age on his re-election bid. They suggest a strategic shift towards more public engagement and a more authentic display of Biden’s personality as potential solutions to address voter concerns.