Asked whether he could handle the responsibilities of the presidency in his mid-80s, President Joe Biden insisted he could do the job “better than anyone.”
During the period interview and time The magazine said Biden had been informed that “the majority of Americans,” including Democrats, have concerns about his age and his ability to serve another term as president.
At 81, Biden is currently the oldest president and will be 86 when he leaves office.
“The final two years of a president’s term — a two-term term — are typically focused on foreign affairs. You’re 81 years old and will be 86 when you leave office,” the magazine asked Biden. “A majority of Americans, including Democrats, believe in polls that you are too old to be a leader. Can you really handle this job as an 85-year-old man?”
“I can do that better than anyone you know,” Biden argued. “You’re looking at me, I can take you, too.”
When asked if he had ever considered not running because of his age, Biden said, “I haven’t thought about it.”
When asked what he would say to Americans who are “worried” about his age, Biden replied: “Watch me.”
“Name me any president who has accomplished as much as I’ve accomplished in my first three and a half years in office,” Biden added.
TIME: “Could an 85-year-old man really do this job?”
Biden: “I can do it better than anybody you know. You’re looking at me. I can beat you, too.”
Read the full interview >>> https://t.co/bPrjTyFodv
— Brian Stelter (@brianstelter) June 4, 2024
A Harvard-Harris poll conducted in April found that a majority (47%) thought Biden was “getting worse” as president, while 29% thought he was getting better. Twenty-four percent of those surveyed said he would “stay the same.”
In another opinion poll, economistA YouGov poll conducted in February found that 54% of respondents believed Biden’s age and health would “significantly limit” his ability to perform his duties as president, while 12% said it would have “no impact” and 27% said it would have “some impact.”
In February, Biden fired back at a reporter who raised concerns Americans had about his age, saying he was “the person best qualified in this country to be president of the United States and finish the job that I started.”
