By declaring that he could have beaten Donald J. Trump in a hypothetical race, Biden uncannily demonstrates a level of delusion against the wave of public sentiment. The question hanging in the air is whether he could have physically and mentally managed another term, taking him upto 86 years of age.
President Biden’s idea to run for re-election could arguably be seen as the most contentious and consequential decision of his presidency, and by extension, his legacy. This assertion is a worrying reflection of cognitive dissonance, evident in clinging onto ambitions that, even by his admission, he wasn’t confident of achieving.
In a recent conversation put out in public domain, Biden seemed to toe the line of uncertainty regarding his own fitness to be at the helm for four more years. Yet, he stubbornly asserted that he would’ve hunted down victory had he stayed in the race, a statement viewed by many as dismal.
Biden, now 82, had to cut short his aspiration for a second term in July succumbing to a torrential pressure from Democrats, who, under the spell of legitimate concern, watched his debate performance against former President Donald J. Trump disintegrate.
Despite this, and in clear denial of current circumstances, Biden stood firm on the belief that he remained fit enough to lead the country as he reaches the end of his current term. This emboldening ‘so far, so good’ remark stirs many unsettling questions about his capability to drive the country forward.
The harsh reality, however, starkly contrasts with these claims, as seen in the Democratic debate in June, where a frail Biden stumbled over sentences and looked visibly disoriented. This alarming situation had only added fuel to the discussions about his vitality among Democrats, who had been cautious for quite some time even before the debate.
Yet, miraculously, he and those in his inner circle held firm to the narrative that his vigor was sufficient to vanquish Trump, while polls showed a vast mistrust among the public on his ability to deliver. This Resistance to admit, let alone address, any concerns raised doubts among Democrats themselves.
Despite his inadequate stand-in, Vice President Kamala Harris, crashing and burning against Trump, Biden still insists he would have emerged victorious. His audacity of certainty reflects more of hope than reality, another piece in his self-created illusion of invincibility.
While there’s a level of absurdity in these declarations, Biden seems unwavering. ‘I think yes,’ he nonchalantly claimed about his chances of winning in the interview. One must wonder if this is courage or simply blindness, or perhaps detrimental politics at play?
But when it came to the actual burden of presidency and questioned if he could carry it till the age of 86, Biden’s certainty faltered. He did concede uncertainty, a rarity for him. ‘I don’t know,’ was his simple, yet loaded response.
Biden, being the oldest president in American history, arouses doubts and worries against age, especially when cognitive abilities are put under microscope. Here lies the problem of a leadership that cannot visibly endure or shake off those legitimate concerns due to fragility.
The Democrats’ fear and public spectacle of Biden’s health all but confirm the anxieties that were muttered behind closed doors. The prospect of an 86-year-old Biden as a potential leader seems to blur the line of what’s best for the individual and what’s potentially harmful for the nation.
In light of this unedited dialogue and Biden’s wavering confidence in his abilities, one cannot help but ponder about the effects of relentless ambition that comes at the cost of not just personal health, but also stability and longevity of the country.
The truth that might finally be coming to light is the steep cost of perpetuating fictitious narratives of strength, especially when Biden’s fading aura of leadership is vividly displayed. While hard truths may be uncomfortable, sometimes they are necessary to preserve the nation’s interest over individual ambition.