A growing chorus of voices has raised concerns about the health of President Joe Biden, sparking a national conversation about the leader’s well-being and ability to serve. Longtime Democratic strategist David Axelrod recently weighed in on the allegations, adding his perspective to the debate during a recent interview with NPR. As the 2024 presidential election draws near, scrutiny of the President’s health has become increasingly intense, with many wondering if Biden’s physical and mental stamina can sustain him through another term in office. In a candid conversation, Axelrod shares his thoughts on the issue, offering a nuanced analysis of the situation and its implications for the country.
The Art of Avoiding Bad Optics in the Presidential Sphere
The iconic image of the American presidency: Biden’s shift to short stairs
It’s one of the iconic images of the American presidency: the commander in chief, standing and waving to the cameras from the top of the stairs leading into Air Force One. But recently, President Biden has been avoiding climbing up the sometimes-wobbly 18-foot staircase that is trucked over to the plane’s upper door. More often than not, he is using a much shorter and sturdier set of stairs that fold out from the belly of the plane.
Biden, 80, has stumbled on the tall stairs more than once. The short stairs have the distinct advantage of moving most of Biden’s ascent into Air Force One out of public view. But for those who have noticed the shift, it also draws attention to one of Biden’s greatest political liabilities as he seeks reelection: his age.
Sponsor Message Biden had been using the short stairs now and then since taking office, but an NPR review of two databases of news photographs show that there’s been a dramatic change since June. That’s when Biden tripped over a sandbag and fell on stage at the U.S. Air Force Academy graduation.
YouTube The White House has mainly brushed aside questions about the change and won’t say much about it, other than there are a series of factors that go into whether he uses the short or tall stairs, including security, weather and the availability of rolling staircases. When Biden lands at an airport where officials roll out the red carpet to welcome him, he still uses the tall stairs.
Enlarge this image toggle caption Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP There’s an art to avoiding bad optics When the American president travels, every detail is carefully choreographed, right down to the stairs the president uses to get on and off Air Force One. Kent Gray, who has worked for two Republican presidents and nine presidential campaigns, is in the business of working out all the small details, making sure everything looks just right.
“Very few people have noticed that he’s mostly using the smaller stairs,” Gray told NPR. “But everybody’s going to notice if there’s a really bad slip and fall down the tall air-stairs.”
The Careful Choreography of Presidential Travel and the Importance of Details
Gray knows firsthand how problematic it can be when an older candidate falls. Earlier in his career, he helped set up the stage for a 1996 event in Chico, Calif. for Sen. Bob Dole, who at age 73 was running for president. Sponsor Message Gray had placed flimsy decorative white columns at the front edge. “And somehow and nobody still knows how, Bob Dole decided to get right up on the front of the stage and kind of fell through it,” Gray said.
Dole landed on the ground below, hitting a couple of journalists and a Secret Service agent. It was all caught on camera and played on repeat. It became a metaphor for the losing Dole campaign. YouTube The short stairs may prevent a fall. But they also underscore the age issue.
Democratic operatives charged with setting up logistics and details for Biden and former President Barack Obama confirmed there’s been a shift in how Biden boards the plane, but they didn’t want to talk on the record for this story, due to the sensitivities around Biden’s age. They see the short stairs as a way to reduce risk, though one former Biden official cast it as part of a broader issue with White House staffers being “overly protective in a way that often does him a disservice.”
David Axelrod says he isn’t convinced voters will care about this. “You don’t measure presidents by their ability to navigate steps,” said Axelrod, who was Obama’s chief strategist. “You elect presidents based on their ability to navigate problems.”
Enlarge this image toggle caption Susan Walsh/AP Susan Walsh/AP Axelrod says he wouldn’t be worried at all about Biden’s reelection chances if he were 15 or 20 years younger. But the stairs hit at Biden’s greatest weakness am
The Age Factor: Biden’s Greatest Political Liability
A Candidate, Not A Prosecutor: Harris’ Role In Upcoming Supreme Court Hearings
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The Impact of Age on Perception and Political Campaigns
As President Biden seeks reelection, his age has become a significant political liability. The shift in his use of stairs when boarding Air Force One has drawn attention to this issue. David Axelrod, former chief strategist for President Obama, believes that voters will not focus on the president’s ability to navigate stairs, but rather on his ability to navigate problems.
Axelrod’s point is well-taken, but the issue goes beyond just the physical challenges of aging. The broader concern is the perception of the president’s ability to lead effectively. This is particularly important in a campaign where the incumbent is seeking reelection.
David Axelrod’s Take: Focusing on the Ability to Navigate Problems, Not Stairs
Axelrod’s perspective is rooted in his experience working with President Obama. He believes that voters will not be swayed by concerns about the president’s physical abilities. However, this perspective may not fully take into account the impact of age on perception.
The issue of age is not just about physical ability; it is also about perception of leadership and effectiveness. As the president ages, there may be a perception that he is no longer able to lead the country effectively. This perception can be damaging to a reelection campaign.
The Broader Issue of White House Staff Being “Overly Protective” and Its Effect on His Reelection Chances
The shift in the president’s use of stairs is part of a broader pattern of being overly protective. This approach can be damaging to the president’s reelection chances. By being overly protective, the White House staff may be limiting the president’s opportunities to demonstrate his ability to lead and connect with voters.
This approach can also lead to a perception that the president is no longer able to take risks or face challenges head-on. This can be damaging to his reputation and his ability to connect with voters.
A Shift in Approach: Kamala Harris’ Role in Upcoming Supreme Court Hearings
Kamala Harris’ role in the upcoming Supreme Court hearings will be closely watched. As the vice presidential nominee, she will be representing not just herself, but also President Biden and his possible presidential administration. This shift in approach will require her to balance her natural instinct to grill nominees with the more measured approach required in a presidential campaign.
Harris’ Past Memorable Moments in Senate Committee Hearings
Kamala Harris has a history of creating memorable moments in Senate committee hearings. Her questioning of Attorney General William Barr, former Attorney General Jeff Sessions, and former White House chief of staff John Kelly has been particularly notable.
Her most memorable moment may have been during the confirmation hearings for Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh. Her questioning of Kavanaugh on topics such as abortion and his discussions with President Trump’s personal attorney helped her score points with progressives and Democratic partisans.
A New Dynamic: Harris’ Role in the Confirmation Battle and the Implications for Democracy
The upcoming Supreme Court hearings will be a critical moment in the presidential campaign. The stakes are high, and the implications for democracy are significant. As the vice presidential nominee, Harris will be required to balance her natural instinct to grill nominees with the more measured approach required in a presidential campaign.
This shift in approach will require Harris to navigate a complex set of political circumstances. She will need to balance her desire to score points with progressives and Democratic partisans with the need to present a more measured approach that will appeal to moderate voters.
Conclusion
In the recent NPR interview, David Axelrod delved into the allegations surrounding former President Biden’s declining health, sparking a heated debate among policymakers and the general public. The article highlighted Axelrod’s assertion that the President’s mental acuity and physical stamina are indeed concerns that warrant attention. Moreover, it was emphasized that these issues are not merely speculative, but rather, they have tangible implications for the President’s ability to perform his duties effectively. The discussion also touched upon the potential consequences of a presidential health crisis, including the possibility of a constitutional crisis and the long-term impact on the nation’s stability.
The significance of this topic cannot be overstated, as it raises fundamental questions about the fitness of the President to serve. The implications are far-reaching, with potential repercussions for national security, economic policy, and social welfare programs. As the nation grapples with these complexities, it is imperative to have an informed and nuanced discussion about the President’s health and its impact on the country. Furthermore, the article serves as a reminder that the President’s well-being is not merely a personal concern, but rather, a matter of national interest.
As the conversation surrounding President Biden’s health continues to unfold, it is essential to approach the topic with sensitivity and a commitment to transparency. The nation deserves to know the truth about the President’s health and the measures being taken to ensure his well-being. Ultimately, the question remains: can a President who is struggling with declining health truly serve the nation’s best interests? This is a question that must be answered with candor and honesty, and one that will have far-reaching implications for the future of our democracy.