Congressional Republicans feel validated in their long-standing concerns about President Joe Biden’s mental suitability for another term in office.
A startling Wall Street Journal report infuriated Democrats after it included anonymous sources alleging a decline in Biden’s cognitive abilities.
BIDEN ALLIES IN OVERDRIVE TO DISPEL REPORTS HE IS TOO OLD FOR THE JOB
For Republicans, the article further substantiates their claim that Biden, at 81, should not be given another term.
“I think it just tells Republicans what we already know. We’ve seen this time and time again, where it’s not just what he’s demonstrating in private but what we see in public, and the issue is not for Republicans,” said Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA), a GOP Senate leadership member. “But what’s the Democrats’ reaction to this?”
“Because I have Democrats that have said that they have got to get this figured out because they do not want him as their nominee,” Ernst added.
Ernst and other Republicans doubt Biden will remain the Democratic nominee by the Democratic National Committee convention in August. “Just seeing how he interacts on the public stage, how can he go another four years?” Ernst questioned.
Senator John Cornyn (R-TX), vying to succeed Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), shared similar sentiments with Truth Voices.
“Maybe the hardest decision that people in public life, or maybe any area of life, have are when to quit,” Cornyn remarked. “And I think President Biden is not quitting at the top of his game, shall we say. So, I mean, I don’t take any joy in it.”
“He’s missing a step physically and mentally, but people are going to have to factor that into their decision-making process,” he added.
Some Republicans have called for the release of special counsel Robert Hur’s audio-recorded interview with Biden regarding classified documents.
“The reason they don’t want us to have the audio version is because they don’t want his competency and his ability to be called into question in front of the election,” said Representative Byron Donalds (R-FL). “But this is important for the American people. If the president of the United States does not have the mental capacity to do his job, why in the world would people give him four more years?”
Senator Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) also referred to Hur’s earlier report that questioned Biden’s mental capabilities, suggesting that the public, especially Democrats, must “judge for themselves.”
Senator Mike Rounds (R-SD) cautioned that Biden would be evaluated not only on cognitive fitness but also on his leadership over the past four years.
“I think his decisions with regard to what he calls Bidenomics have been a major thing,” Rounds said. “I think that’s what most people are gonna vote on is whether or not, you know, the economy is his fault or not. And I think they’re gonna decide this economy is his fault.”
Rising grocery and gas prices alongside Biden’s decreasing approval ratings could challenge his reelection bid.
However, Democrats argue that Biden’s legislative triumphs, paired with former President Donald Trump’s legal issues, will secure a win in November.
In response to the Wall Street Journal‘s article, Democrats highlighted Trump’s recent conviction on 34 counts of falsifying business records.
“They’re backing a convicted felon who says he wants to be dictator on day one,” said Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), a prominent Biden supporter. “So they’re hoping they can change the subject by making something up about Joe Biden. That’s just not true.”
Most Democrats assert in private that Biden is mentally sharp, dismissing the sources as Republican scare tactics. They also note that Trump, at 77, is in the same age bracket as Biden.
“He’s completely lucid. He’s completely funny, and he’s got great political sense,” said Representative Jamie Raskin (D-MD). “He loves hanging around with people who are actually doing politics around the country.”
“Is he old? Yes, Joe Biden is an old man. Period. We know and like, let’s, you know, let’s move on,” added Representative Maxwell Frost (D-FL). “Donald Trump is just a few years younger, they could have been in the same high school together at the same time.”
Despite these defenses, Republicans are unconvinced that Biden can win public support for another term given his public stumbles and private cognitive concerns.
“The Wall Street Journal report raises doubts that Joe Biden can even still count to four, but extreme House Democrats want four more years,” said National Republican Congressional Committee national press secretary Will Reinert.
“We’ve seen his cognitive decline. I mean, he’s cooked,” taunted Representative Lauren Boebert (R-CO). “His brain’s cooked.”
