They are preparing for midterms.
In the face of whispers within the Democratic Party that President Joe Biden is too old to run for a second term, some Senators are pushing back.
Biden, who will be 81 years old in 2024, has the backing of numerous Senators who have voiced support for Biden should he decide to run for reelection.
But confronted with concern about his low approval rating, Biden’s viability to win the 2024 Presidential election has become a hot topic, despite the general election being more than two years away.
With increasing scrutiny on Biden’s age, Democratic lawmakers, alongside party officials, have come out to share their thoughts on a possible Biden second term. The New York Times reported on Sunday (June 12) that Democratic officials view Biden as “an anchor that should be cut loose in 2024.”
The publication drew this conclusion after interviewing 50 Democratic officials.
David Axelrod, a former chief political strategist during Obama’s tenure, told the Times that Biden’s age “would be a major issue.”
Following the report, Democratic Senators are attempting to douse the flames surrounding replacing Biden, fearing that such talk would lead to intraparty dissension, something that should be avoided ahead of the 2022 midterm elections.
When questioned about the reservations regarding Biden’s age party officials had raised privately, Senate Majority Whip Dick Dubin (D-Ill.) said, “I think it’s too soon to start that speculation. He’s got to complete this year, [the] second year of his presidency. Then, of course, the speculation will grow. I can’t say at that point what I would recommend.”
Durbin also addressed Biden’s age and its effect on his performance, saying, “Age is a factor for everybody, but I don’t see any evidence that he can’t perform, and I think he’s doing so at the highest levels.”
