Trump is too old and incited a coup. Biden is too old and mixes up names. America, how to choose? | Marina Hyde
Heading over to the United States, the potential future president tends to give lengthy and nonsensical speeches where he expresses his desire to become a dictator. However, the current topic of discussion centers around whether his opponent has gone crazy. I must apologize in advance, as I predict that I will quickly use up all the politically correct terms approved by the Guardian to imply that these politicians are not quite mentally sound.
Today we're discussing President Joe Biden's recent press conference, which occurred unexpectedly on Thursday. During the conference, the president vehemently defended his memory in response to a justice department report that cleared him of any wrongdoing regarding highly classified materials. The investigation was conducted by special counsel Robert Hur, a registered Republican, who noted the president's "significantly limited" memory in his report. Despite this, Hur ultimately determined not to press charges, citing the likelihood that Biden would present himself as a sympathetic, elderly man with a poor memory during a trial. Unfortunately, this presents a potential vulnerability for attacks from opponents, particularly in terms of fake sympathy.
After nearly finishing his speech last night, Biden came back to answer a question about the conflict between Israel and Gaza. However, he made an unfortunate mistake by referring to Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, the Egyptian leader, as "the Mexican president." It's not surprising that this happened since he had just claimed that his memory was excellent. It's a common occurrence that those who correct others' grammatical errors often make their own mistakes in the process. This is known as the pedants' curse or even the pedant's curse.
However, there is a concerning issue when looking at Biden's age and cognitive ability based on polling data. This seems to be his biggest weakness with voters. On the other hand, when it comes to Trump, while he appears to be mentally stable (unless we consider his severe narcissism), he is only a few years younger than Biden and has shown some signs of physical instability such as walking with a wobble. Recently, he even confused Nikki Haley with Nancy Pelosi during a rant. So, is it fair to hold one candidate to a different standard than the other when it comes to their mental and physical capabilities?
The overall feeling about Biden's leadership skills isn't very positive. Although, it's unfair to ignore the fact that he successfully led the country's economic recovery during the pandemic. However, there's a part of me that can't help but imagine backstage aides on the edge of their seats, feeling stressed and worried about any potential slip-ups during Biden's speeches. It's almost like they are silently begging him to get through it flawlessly and without any embarrassing moments, and then quickly exit the stage without making any further mistakes like using a flag as a door.
I think what I am about to say is not entirely real, and it's only making me more anxious. However, I cannot ignore the feelings I am experiencing. I had a similar heart-racing moment during the Tory leadership competition when Liz Truss, who was the favorite, walked in the wrong direction during her campaign launch. Of course, I knew that it was just a simple mistake that could happen to anyone. Still, my emotions made me feel a sense of truth that even the facts couldn't deny. It was like I had unlocked a psychological truth that was more potent than anything else.
I believe that the probable Republican candidate is really bad, so I'm worried that Joe Biden will have a hard time winning the election because of his lack of "vibes." Both Biden and Trump are old, and most people their age ask their families if they should still be driving. But Trump is really good at ignoring logic and making everything work in his favor, even when he's facing criminal charges. It's hard to say if this will help him win the election, but the "vibes" seem to suggest it will.
In a previous blog post, I discussed the issue of the gerontocracy. Shortly after, the Guardian published a piece where three male readers expressed their opinions on ageism under the title "What's age got to do with it, Marina Hyde?" One of the readers argued against my point that professional figures should retire at a certain age by detailing his daily routine. While I appreciate criticism, I was grateful that they were respectful and kind in their responses. Thank you!
However, I must express that even though I risk receiving more messages about this topic, I still believe that being the president of the United States is not comparable to "writing, teaching, and volunteering in a residential home". This job should be given to someone who is younger than both Biden and Trump. Of course, this does not mean a younger woman should take on the role as that would be deemed clinically insane. The next president should not be above the age of 86 when they finish their term. As I conclude this blog, I challenge any readers who believe that the lengthy US election campaign showcased a lively, healthy, and active democracy to write in on 6 November and propose mandatory retirement for me.
who writes witty and insightful commentary on current events in politics and popular culture. Her unique style of writing doesn't hold back when it comes to calling out hypocrisy or shining a light on absurdity. As a result, she has amassed a loyal following of readers who appreciate her intelligent and humorous approach to journalism. When it comes to staying informed and entertained, Marina Hyde's column is always a must-read.
