Erin Molan: Age is not the issue when it comes to electing Biden

There are many reasons other than age as to why Americans should discount Joe Biden in the next US Presidential race, writes Erin Molan

Stop being ageist. Age ain’t the issue for Joe Biden.

Back in the day, it wasn’t just political tragics who had each American Presidential election marked in their calendars — we all learnt where New Hampshire was, we plotted travel plans around primaries, caucuses and, the biggest buzz of all, conventions.

Some of us had collections of merchandise that made NRL marketing look like the offerings of a suburban library and added a whole new dimension to the concept of a sequin.

Then there were the political tragics who enlisted as volunteers and, on rare occasions, rubbed shoulders with the rich and famous candidates they worked 20-hour days for (if they weren’t rich to start with they were once the eye-watering donations started rolling in).

But this four-yearly festival of hype, kitsch and wall-to-wall advertising wasn’t just political. It was almost the greatest show on earth — the election of the leader of the free world.

So it’s not just those who live and breathe politics who have greeted Biden’s announcement that he’s running again with despair.

It’s so, so many of the ordinary punters who have come to take more than a passing interest in an election process that confusingly encompasses optional voting, questionably more fanfare than substance, and seemingly where a major character flaw can be stage-managed to insignificance if not oblivion, but a minor error of judgment in a historical social media post can hijack the most worthy and meritorious of prospects.

US President Joe Biden announces his bid ‘to finish the job’ with re-election in 2024.

And then there’s Biden.

Look, a potential rematch against Donald Trump sounds bloody entertaining and if the stakes weren’t so high I’d be cheering front row with popcorn but they are high … far too high for any enjoyment to be derived here.

First things first, can we stop blaming age for Joe Biden’s inadequacies?

This week the US President officially announced his bid for re-election next year. How those around him who purport to love and care for him have allowed this to happen is a travesty. The fact he’s chosen to do it again alongside Kamala Harris could be described in exactly the same way. She’s a whole other column, but back to Joe’s age.

I know 90-year-olds who are sharp as a tack, who could run a nation better than anyone else. Look at some of the most impressive business leaders in this country alone who are in their 80s and at the top of their game.

Age ain’t the issue and shouldn’t be the reason anyone steps back from either public life nor the top end of town.

Your “cognitive state” though, that’s an entirely different proposition.

US Vice President Kamala Harris is running on Biden’s ticket again.

Biden isn’t an old dodderer, he’s unwell. I don’t need a medical degree to identify readily that, sadly, he’s unfit for office.

He may be an incredibly smart man, he might even care deeply for the people of America, and he’s undoubtedly an experienced politician with runs (the nature of which are debatable) on the board.

Regrettably what he isn’t right now is capable of leading one of the greatest nations on earth, arguably still the greatest “democracy” on earth.

A quick google of Biden gaffes will show even the most devoted Democrat that he’s unfit. These aren’t George Bush-type foibles, or the mixing of metaphors or humorous stumbles that are bound to occur when you speak publicly and are human. We all make mistakes.

His issues go far deeper. He is disoriented, often confused, forgets where he is and what he’s doing, and at times he is completely incoherent and unintelligible.

It used to be a bit humorous before we realised the extent and significance of it, but now it’s downright terrifying … and to be frank, just really sad.

Our defence, security and strategic alliances have quite rightly been headline news for much of the past few months.

Back in the day, at this stage of the US presidential election cycle, we would be voraciously reading analysis of major candidates’ key policies and what they meant for Australia, but do they matter if the man in charge of carrying them out can’t even spell the number “eight”?

The threats that exist in the world right now are only increasing and, without fear mongering, we are potentially more vulnerable as a nation than we’ve ever been.

On the first Tuesday in November next year, after watching the Melbourne Cup, those of us who are interested and watching the US election count won’t be focused on issues quite so nuanced.

Instead, depending on who prevails as nominees, we shall merely be hoping that each step he or she takes on the world stage over the ensuing four years will be steady, confident and competent.

Unlikely given the options currently presented.