Too old? Americans weigh in on Biden’s new candidacy

At 71, Eloise walks about four miles a day in a Houston park, and believes that Joe Biden80, has energy for a new term in USA. Although the youngest do not think the same.

“I am an older person. A lot of times people talk about Biden’s age, that he can’t do this or that. But I think he is competent enough for the position. He has done well, he is honest, upright. We need it to continue.” says Eloise Wilson.

Biden, who on Tuesday announced that he will run for a second term as the Democratic candidate in the 2024 elections, polled 81 million votes for his 2020 election, the most by a US presidential candidate.

But not everyone is convinced to keep him in the White House.

“It’s a little old”comments Laura Miranda, 31, of New Jersey, about the president, who is the oldest ruler in Washington and would be 86 at the end of his second term.

“But I don’t know who else it could be”, the candidate says, referring to the paucity of other Democratic hopefuls who have filed to take on potential Republican challengers.

“He may be in good health now, but who knows, in six years how he will be”says Steven Hjupp of Connecticut.

‘It’s a bleak situation’he believes, about the efforts of the Democrats against their possible Republican rivals, such as the former UN ambassador Nikki Haley, the governor of Florida Ron DeSantis and Donald Trump himself, who has already announced his candidacy.

“I think it’s great. I think he has courage, considering his 80 years. But he’s fine and I think [Barack] Obama set the pace. Also, Joe has been in politics for quite some time. Is time on his side? Don’t know”considers Aisha Smith, 42, in Houston, Texas.

Some voters who approve of Biden’s work over the past two years, during which the president has grappled with covid, the war in Ukraine, inflation and abortion disputes, raised concerns after he announced his campaign. for re-election

“I was a little disappointed”says New Jersey finance executive Mike Stroube, of the Biden campaign launch video.

“I certainly hoped that we would have a Democratic Party nominee who would have a chance to succeed in the race, but I don’t trust Biden to be that nominee.”adds the 60-year-old man.

A viable candidate

“Age is an issue (…) I wish we could have a viable younger candidate for president. I don’t know if it’s good or bad news. But we don’t have as many younger alternatives because the Democratic Party has done a poor job cultivating younger leadership.”says firefighter James Everett Newman, 34, in a Houston park.

“I like what Biden has done. I think she has done a very good job.”says Roger Tilton, a 72-year-old retiree in Washington.

Still, he thinks it’s time for Biden to retire. “Personally, I wish he wouldn’t run again”, says. “Mentally I’m not as sharp as I was 20 years ago, and there’s no way he isn’t either.”Tilton comments.

“As long as you’re healthy and can understand and use your head like you’re supposed to, age isn’t a factor.” considers Rodney Grimes, 59, a Biden supporter in New York.

“Destroyed” the economy

For Republicans, the feelings on Biden are much clearer. “I think it’s a terrible idea” to run again, says Riva Fernández, 54, in the coastal city of Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

“I really hope DeSantis wins (…) “He’s the man,” ensures.

“He [Biden] I shouldn’t even be in office now. 50 percent of his own people don’t want him to run again. Because he ruined the economy, everything Trump fixed, he destroyed.”considers Ted, a 69-year-old man from Houston, regarding the problems of inflation and economic crisis in the country.

Also in Houston, although James Everett has qualms about Biden’s age, he believes that if there is no other choice, he will vote for him.

“I prefer a younger candidate, but I’m not going to stop voting for him because of it. If he’s up against some horrible Republican who wants to speed up climate change, criminalize abortion and other things, I’d rather Biden.”.

Source: AFP