UKH

I don't think he will last until the election in November.

If he does, the election is a gift for Trump.

Will he last a week, a month?

Gone at the weekend?

He has to go. I'd be a natural democrat voter, but I couldn't honestly say the guy has capacity, and his credibility decreases daily. He has a great legacy to date, and stepping aside at this point would cement that. Wrecking the democratic chances will be the main thing he would be remembered for if he stayed on. Jill Biden has a lot of influence, but I have zero hopes that she will be realistic. Of course, when you are confused and lacking capacity you cannot make a coherent decision.

Also, he just introduced Zelensky as Putin at the NATO summit.  

After Trump wins.

The sooner the better.

Despite Trump being even less coherent sadly he wont be judged for it.

Its baffling why Biden didnt call it a day since when you look how quickly that job ages someone its pretty clear he couldnt handle a second term.

Fun/depressing fact: If Clinton was standing against Biden and Trump he would be the youngest and he completed his max term in 2001.

I feel a cabbage may be required...

I don't think Biden going would be a gift for Trump. Most Democrats will vote for any Democratic leader to keep Trump out.

I was just listening to him answering a line of questioning about his suitability for president... And he blurbed "I would not have picked Vice-President Trump to be Vice-President", hours after referring to Zelensky as Putin.

Ive just been reading the news about this. Holy mother of mercy. My wife is also called Jill, and I'd hope she would be brutally honest with me in the same situation. 🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️

The implications, of course, is that Jill Biden may be as impaired as he is.

She^s bright as a button I think.

He's just being stubborn now. Leaders at that level are so arrogant that they feel entitled to lead and have to be dragged out of office kicking and screaming.

Just saw the Putin mistake.  Toe curling and down right awful. Trump must be shining even brighter orange this morning with glee.

And we look down on the dictatorships of China, Russia etc because of our superior democratic systems, ignoring the "leaders" that we put at the top of it.  Ironic. 

He wouldn't be the first democrat aligned person to allow his hubris to make him stay past his time. Ruth Bader Ginsburg did the same and therefore vacated her seat on the supreme court during Trump's term which enabled the supreme court to be stacked in favour of the republicans.

People need to be reminded of their frailty as they age and of the consequences that their health issues can impose on others, particularly if they aren't honest with others about it. They should still be encouraged to contribute, just from a position where they can step aside if those health issues compromise their ability to contribute.

The irony in all this is Trump's late night Presidential tweets were often those of a lunatic (and his medical history during his term was a close kept secret), Regan was often incoherent as President and mistook memories of his films for real life and some verbatim comments from Bush Junior made no sense whatsoever.

I know some old people who are physically a bit unstable, who routinely muddle names (even of loved ones... and always have), but they are still 'sharp as a pin' otherwise.

The world deserves a clear medical statement on the US President.

The polls have NY, historically solidly Democrat, as being 'in-play'.  Reports are that big donations to the Democratic party have dried up. 

He is so far gone : 'Who the F is running the US?'

Surely he cannot be replace Kamala?

At this rate he'll leave the white house for a car home. He's like that elderly relative everyone knows should stop driving, but still thinks he's fully capable. 

Muddling the names of the Ukrainian president with Putin is pretty serious, as it's feeding propaganda to Putin, it has more depth.

Is he writing your posts or do you need a new keyboard?

Of course it's potentially serious but it can relate to how someone's brain works rather than being a sign of significant cognitive decline. I know people like this and know they are not losing their wits... however, when dealing with a President of the most powerful nation in the world this should be an important point to be making reassurances on. He is open enough about his history of speech impediments, so why not this (if its genuinely not serious)?

Muphry's law, init?

Say that out loud exactly as you've typed it, Mr President ...

No John, he's not, I'm fully with the programme.

Here's a cheery thought. Dozy Biden mixes up the nuclear red button for the microwave and while planning to reheat some pasta, launches a full Minuteman strike against Russia (PS they cannot be recalled once launched)

Don't worry I am not paranoid ho ho ho

My near 80 year old mother mix various people's names all the time, but other than that she's pretty sharp and quite capable for her age. However she isn't running for President of the most powerful democracy, with the work load and clarity of voice that post requires. What the president says matters globally, it would be good if it didn't but it does. The bigger problem isn't Biden fumbling, but if it enables Trump to win. 

If that were strictly true, as I've pointed out, very few modern US President's would have been in post.

I think what you are saying is absolutely true.  I think Chris Mason was guilty of falsifying the news this morning when he reported Biden confusing Zelensky with Putin.  To say the names were confused is possibly true though the word "confuse" is incorrect as it assumes mental confusion of ideas when none may exist.

Some people through age or not are not good at recalling the correct label for a thing or person during an active unrehearsed argument or debate.  This is easily exploited by opponents and critics as showing mental confusion where none exists.  I lodged with an old man in W London in the 80s who was as sharp as anyone I had ever known.  He had been an RAF officer in WW2 and not only could he tell me about his experiences but I found him plqaying chess against a computer when I came in from work one evening.  He was beating it.  However, he had difficulty recalling the right labels for things, places and people so often had to use the word "Line" as a placeholder (Line being a line in a notebook where he could look up the word).

I've suffered from clumsiness with memory recall in arguments all my life which makes it easy for people to bully me about it.  I'm OK with well researched and rehearsed stuff except when people use disruptive tactics against me and I know that I have accomplished quite difficult and complicated stuff during my computing career that others had failed in and even in a hobby context in retirement in radio and electronics (including a world first in coming up with a solution to replace the synthesiser  in an old military radio where other people had given up declaring it too difficult because the synth also controlled the tuning of all the RF circuits).

Yet I'd be as bad as Biden in a debate against people attacking me or my ideas.  I think Starmer and others are right, he is bright and well informed BUT while I would be quite happy for him to be President if he still had years to run I think he is the wrong man to fight a lying corrupt bully demagogue like Trump who is quick on his feet but completely untrustworthy and not well motivated.

A lot of people who don't have these problems don't understand what they are seeing.

I'm 42, and I stumble over my words, frequently when under pressure. Whether it's age related decline, or just being a bit of a ditherer, both have the same outcome, and in my opinion, should rule both myself and Mr Biden out of being the leader of the most powerful nation. 

I consider myself reasonably intelligent, and I'm sure Biden is too, but to be a politician needs more than intelligence, it needs rapid thought and outstanding debating skills, I just don't think Biden has got that any longer unfortunately. 

The US political system blows my mind that they can't find better candidates than the current two. Absolutely crazy.

I thought he was very unconvincing, giving the impression of really struggling to follow his own line of thought, with the result that he rambled and at times was scarcely coherent. Several times he lost his thread completely, and gave up by muttering ‘Anyway …’  The real worry is what he’ll be like in a few months time at this rate of deterioration, giving Trump a strong chance of winning. Meanwhile, opinion polls show that Kamala would win quite easily.

BTW, as well as the breathtaking Putin-for-Zelensky gaffe he also referred to Kamala as 'Vice President Trump’.

Nixon broke the criminality mould and Regan broke the cognitive  mould though. My favourite cognitive failure quote from any world leader ever is the following:

Unlike the list of faulty Republican predecessors, Trump turned on his advisers time and time again. There is no indication at all he will be a better President this time if he wins again and plenty of evidence he will be worse in terms of cognitive ability, damage to democracy, plain revenge seeking and a risk to world peace.

I feel a cabbage may be required...

Bristlecone pine would be more appropriate.

At this rate he'll leave the white house for a car home.

Like President Ford did?

I completely agree.  I don’t for a second think that Biden has any doubt who the President of Ukraine is, nor who his vice-president is.  He was under huge pressure and no doubt already had a dozen other issues lined up in his head.  I’ve certainly mis-spoken under pressure (and maybe, if I’m honest, more recently) whilst being perfectly clear about I mean.

However, so much of politics is performative, especially US politics, and especially before a crucial election.  I think that Biden needs to understand that he is, sadly, now more of a liability than an asset electorally.  Having a younger candidate would switch the spotlight on Trump’s far greater cognitive issues, not to mention his staggering mendacity and narcissism.  And his age.

Biden is usually lucid.

Trump confidently speaks more words per minute but less meaning per minute (eg boats, batteries & sharks or injecting disinfectant against covid).

There's an age limit for US president, pity it's a minimum not a maximum.

Can we please keep the focus on Biden?

As said, if it allows trump to win, that's a vast global problem. 

I'm 50 and I routinely go through all three of my children's names to get to the right one. I also forget the names momentarily of colleagues who I've worked with for several years. And, as a teacher it's a real annoyance, but I forget kids' names all the time.

BUT I'm not actually mixing my children up, or forgetting who I work with, or indeed don't know exactly what that kid whose name I've forgotten is like, how well they are doing in my lessons, who they are friends with etc. etc. I've never been able to remember street names but still navigate happily around cities I've not lived in for decades by memory.

So I really feel for Biden mixing names up - he's always done it, and he recovered from the latest Zelensky/Putin gaffe easily and sensibly. If he was 60 and that was it, it would be no problem, but on top of everything else, it is just too much. People who weren't sure will immediately see this as proof that he's too old. Fox will probably never play the thing he said immediately after mixing up Zelensky and Putin, and like him bending down to talk to someone off stage at D Day, they'll just crop that truth and add it to the very obvious examples of where he clearly was struggling - such as the debate.

There is very little evidence that he is "so far gone", he just can't perform well on big public stages anymore. There is lots of evidence that he is quite capable of running the US for the rest of his term, it's just competing in an election he is not doing well. 

That's what the VP is ultimately for, but through the convention process they could nominate an alternative candidate to stand in the election.

I've been useless with names for as long as I remember. Particularly in work situations, big meetings conferences etc. When I worked in academia I was often the only female present in a room of maybe 40-50 men. Everyone would remember my name because I'm the only female and thus stand out somewhat! However, I'm lucky if I can remember a handful of their names and then feel like an idiot for asking. 

Once I have a connection with people I remember their names fine but until then I've not a hope in hell. 

Well said.

At least they don't let him dive his own car!

Sadly he's cortina media spotlight.

Wonder how often they have to politely steer him to the right one. 

Maybe park this idea in the garage and hope he can manage to steer himself out of this car crash situation so that he is soon firing on all cylinders again.

or gently escort him in the right direction.

Yup he needs to put his feet up and retire to Granada

What was the uncropped truth?

Biden was supposed to be standing with the other leaders for a photo.  He wandered off and had to be brought back.

You can't seriously be suggesting he is mentally fine.

I can't remember where I heard a journalist describe how Biden had wondered over to talk to someone not on a stage, and how pictures or film was cropped to show something else. I think it was a discussion I was listening to on On The Media - probably this one https://www.wnycstudios.org/podcasts/otm/articles/no-joe-biden-didnt-poop-h...

But politifact looked at the distortions in the reporting around his D Day appearance. https://www.politifact.com/article/2024/jun/06/fact-checking-viral-claims-a...

I said in my last post, he seems to be doing just fine governing the US (todays inflation figures for example) , he is failing miserably at running for re-election though which is why it would be better if he steps aside.

So far he's managed to Dodge the issue - senior Democrats may need to Ram it home

Good grief; I’ve just learned through Google that Biden gave the funeral address for Strom Thurmond. Sparks two reflections: one, what in the world was he thinking eulogising the repulsive ST; and two, I guess he’s been learning from the best in terms of not resigning when they should.

jcm

It seemed a bit tasteless to mention it previously, but since he brought it up himself maybe 'over [his] dead body' could be the key - what better to draw the votes of people just wanting to rage against the machine than to opt for a dead candidate? And would be another powerful argument against Donald Trump 'worse than a corpse'

(With a nod to Season 3 of The West Wing. Or was it 4?)

Reagan was a genius before his first term (I don't agree with his politics but got to give him credit)

He was still pretty sharp in most of his first term but declining, by end of first term the warning signs were there. He should IMHO never have gone for a second term. In his second term his decline accelerated and age caught up with him and that's the confused Reagan everyone remembers.

Biden's  parallels with Reagan are uncanny.

I thought our options were pretty poor but how did the US manage to leave itself with these two ?

Exactly, that is the problem.  The public can only choose from the candidates put in front of them.

A senile man or Trump is a very poor selection.

Biden's friendship with Thurmond was from what I remember a 90s thing and Biden posited it on Thurmond having changed his ideas and supporting civil rights. So although I agree that Thurmond always seemed like a throwback to a terrible dark time in US history, Biden eulogizing him wasn't close to him supporting white supremacy. Indeed the Congressional Black Caucus have been vocal in their support for Biden continuing and Biden has always done well in primaries in states with big African American populations. 

Is that a joke? What single really clever thing did he ever do? As a major political player for years prior to his first term, by 1980 he had a very strong political and economic team around him, focussed on tax reduction and reducing the size of the state. He was clearly less worried about national debt, which ballooned with his increases in defense spending. I'd say Reagan was a classic folksy front man for a particular movement in Republicanism. The public loved him, whilst he reset government economic practices that thereafter eroded ordinary Americans' prospects. 

He's not senile. There's no evidence for that.

What he is is far too old to be considering taking on one of the most physically and mentally challenging jobs in the world - and doing it for four more years. They're both too old (Trump is only three years younger and shows more signs of mental instability than Biden ever has).

I give him a week.

Yeah, no. He was hardly a genius, but he had a self awareness and ability to laugh at himself that Trump lacks. Nixon was probably the smartest man to be US president, but unfortunately also the most amoral.

The pressure on Biden is getting critical. 

The Washington gossip (youtube youtube.com/watch?v=JMuy4hvnCi8&) is that he will withdraw this weekend.

Then more fun and games on finding a replacement - Kamala?

What about Trump?

Surely they have to unite behind getting the candidate with the best chance of beating Trump. It doesn't sound to me like that is Kamala Harris.

I know it's difficult to judge the past using today's ethics and morals but many US presidents from the very beginning have a chequered record. I'm thinking of attitudes to slavery, native Americans or even atomic weapons.

He'd better watch out, he'd better beware - Biden a go go.

Before the convention or at Trump's inauguration. I'd bet on the latter.

jk

His bout of covid seems a good excuse/climb down option. Claim its worse than it is and walk away.

Definitely not the smartest; I know two people who had professional dealings with him at Balmedie and both described him as, “a f**king idiot.” Genuinely stupid with zero guile, cunning or self-awareness, but with the unshakable confidence of someone who absolutely has no experience of not getting his own way and can always pay for it no matter what.

He definitely gives Nixon a run for amorality, although Trump has a brazenness that Nixon didn’t.

The weekend rumours were correct, he is out of the race....

My fellow Democrats, I have decided not to accept the nomination and to focus all my energies on my duties as President for the remainder of my term.

My very first decision as the party nominee in 2020 was to pick Kamala Harris as my Vice President.

And it’s been the best decision I’ve made.

Today I want to offer my full support and endorsement for Kamala to be the nominee of our party this year. Democrats — it’s time to come together and beat Trump.

Let’s do this.

Phew!

What I'd like to see now is Kamala Harris (or whoever gets the nomination) pick up the baton and rip into Trump for the lies and bullsh1t he's been spewing out especially since he 'took a bullet for democracy'. If Biden had been fully compos mentis it's what he should have been doing from the start.

 Truth Social: "Crooked Joe Biden was not fit to run for president, and is certainly not fit to serve - and never was! He only attained the position of President by lies, Fake News, and not leaving his Basement. All those around him, including his Doctor and the Media, knew that he wasn’t capable of being President, and he wasn’t. We will suffer greatly because of his presidency, but we will remedy the damage he has done very quickly. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!"

At a guess he won't be rushing to engage Harris in a stage debate anytime soon. If she can carry the Ming vase as carefully as Starmer did, he's toast.

It will now be interesting to see whether the Democrats unite behind Biden's endorsement of Harris or whether she is challenged. I'd understood she has not been seen as a strong Vice-President and that there were stronger contenders to beat Trump. How would demographics work out for her electorally?

Polls suggest Kamala loses to Trump, but by slightly less than Biden. 

She has to try and avoid debating him or it could be worse. 

The Passage of Time : youtube.com/watch?v=_PvWfYTwJfY&

I can imagine what can be, unburdened by what has been... : youtube.com/watch?v=Ovi_raayD44&

She is painful. 

Harris is clearly a good debater, but according to the NYT lacks a big vision necessary to step up to President. Perhaps the party can rally around and make one for her.

I think she's still the best candidate they've got, and she hits the ground running, as VP. No-one springs out as obvious.

And it seems, they have no clear way of dealing with MAGA. Unless a miracle occurs in the next few months, they will end up with Trump again

I do think Biden has been one of the most consequential presidents of the last 50 years. He's implemented an enormous investment in his green new deal, extended affordable medicine to millions, enabled a campaign to reinvigorate anti-trust regulation and helped create millions of new jobs. All while negotiating a hostile senate and SCOTUS with a severely unhinged element.

It's a great shame that his health did not hold up well, but he really should have stepped down from the re-election a year ago to allow someone else to take the fight to Trump.

Listening to Rest is Politics, it sounds like there are some impressive candidates. Surely they can do better than Harris to challenge Trump with someone fresh.

So many lies in so few words, it's quite breathtaking. And yet it seems to be swallowed without question by around 50% of Americans.

I can only hope for a miracle to keep Trump out. Just imagine what will happen if it's very close in November. Just imagine what will happen if he gets in and starts the mass deportations. 

375,000,000 guns in America.

A lot of it is down to the weird way elections are financed.  And money is now pouring into the Democrats coffers.