Just before the first debate between the two oldest major-party presidential candidates in history, a TV ad questioned President Joe Biden’s handling of inflation, asking if his response was due to “dishonesty or dementia?” This bold accusation set the stage for a debate where age would inevitably become a focal point.
Watching from an assisted living facility just outside Washington, Barbara Goldberg, 81, expressed frustration. “The candidates’ ages are not really relevant to the other issues that are more important,” she said, reflecting a sentiment that age should not overshadow policy discussions.
However, as the debate progressed, age indeed became the dominant issue. Residents at Brighton Gardens of Friendship Heights, including Goldberg, watched intently. When Biden, 81, seemed to lose his train of thought and bizarrely stated, “We finally beat Medicare,” Goldberg could only shake her head in disbelief. This moment underscored the concerns about Biden’s cognitive abilities that many voters, particularly older ones, have been voicing.
For Biden, the debate was a significant misstep. His supporters had hoped this event would alleviate doubts about his age, a major liability for his campaign. Older voters, who are a crucial demographic and who turn out to vote in high numbers, were left unimpressed. Biden had lost voters aged 65 and older to Donald Trump by 5 percentage points in 2020, and this performance did little to win them back.
Meg Maguire, 81, visiting the facility to watch the debate, observed, “I think that he is rushing it, and he’s not looking at the camera for the most part. In terms of just physical relationship to the camera, Trump is doing better, even if Trump says garbage.” Her remarks captured a growing sentiment that Biden’s age was becoming a visible handicap, affecting his debate performance and, by extension, his campaign.
While Trump, at 78, has had his own gaffes, his age seemed less of a concern during the debate. His performance, although criticized for its content, did not exhibit the same level of physical or mental frailty that plagued Biden. A recent Gallup poll showed that two-thirds of Americans believe Biden is too old to be president, compared to only 37 percent who felt the same about Trump. By the first commercial break, the damage to Biden’s image was evident.
Claire Moses, 83, offered a blunt assessment: “Biden is not a good performer. And I’m very sad tonight because I think that Biden is a great president because of what he has done, what he has accomplished, not how he speaks.” This sentiment highlights a key challenge for Biden: while his policies may be appreciated, his ability to effectively communicate and perform under scrutiny is in question.
As the debate continued, even Biden’s supporters grew increasingly concerned. When moderators asked both candidates how they would handle being the oldest presidents in history, their responses, including a banter about golf, seemed out of touch. “Let’s not act like children,” Trump said. “You are a child,” Biden replied, further diminishing his stature in the eyes of viewers.
Maguire turned to a Gen-Z POLITICO reporter, shaking her head in dismay. “I can’t believe this is the world we’re leaving to you,” she said, encapsulating the frustration and disappointment felt by many older Americans watching the debate. The evening underscored the critical importance of strong, coherent leadership in the highest office, a standard Biden struggled to meet.
