The Gazette

CONCERNS OVER AT THE AGE OF 81 ALL THE MORE WORRYING CHRISTOPHE­R

- US Editor

THE saying “if they’re good enough, they’re old enough,” is one of the most repeated in the world of sport.

Football legend Sir Matt Busby uttered the famous line more than 50 years ago and the words have become a workplace mantra.

It means that no matter how young an employee is, they should be hired if they have the competence and ability. The reverse is also true regarding age, as there is no substitute for experience.

This weekend a disturbing report emerged about the ability of the oldest high-profile employee on the planet – the current President of the United States.

A damning dossier about Joe Biden’s fitness to lead the free world, you’d think it had been authored by one of his harshest political opponents, not one of his greatest allies, the New York Times.

Headlined “At 79, Biden Is Testing the Boundaries of Age and the Presidency”, it laid bare the US leader’s growing frailties.

According to Peter Baker, chief White House correspond­ent, Biden “often shuffles” when he walks, sparking concern he “will trip on a wire”.

Recently he was seen in public falling off a bike. However, it is the sharpness of his mind that the Times piece finds most troubling.

The report alleges that the President “sometimes loses his train of thought”, appears “momentaril­y confused”, calls his Vice President “President Harris”, and “has trouble summoning names.”

More concerning is the claim Biden makes huge policy change announceme­nts that have to be instantly walked back by the White House. Examples of this include him saying Vladimir Putin “cannot remain in power” and vowing there would be a US military response if China invades Taiwan.

His staff are said to be so fearful of a mistake that they “hold their breath to see if he makes it to the end without a gaffe.”

Recently Biden was likened to the comical Anchorman character from the Will Ferrell movie, when giving a speech about protecting women’s reproducti­ve rights he accidental­ly said “end of quote, repeat the line” as he read from the teleprompt­er.

No one should forget Biden beat the most corrupt President in history. It is doubtful any other Democratic nominee could have done that.

And unlike Donald Trump, this US leader has placed responsibl­e politician­s around him to ensure the country’s interests, not the President’s, are served best.

It is why it is not White House policies or his stance on important matters that give the world pause for thought. Rather it is his advancing years. Biden is not ageing prematurel­y. He is just getting old.

Now rumours emerge he is considerin­g running again in 2024 when he’ll be 81.

Let’s hope those people around Biden let him know when it’s time for him to move on and become an elder statesman.

To coin another well-known phrase, the President is old enough to know better.

BIDEN’S GROWING FRAILTY MAKES

HIS PLAN TO

RUN AGAIN IN 2024

The report alleges the President “sometimes loses his train of thought”, seems “momentaril­y confused”, calls his Vice President “President Harris”...

 ?? ?? A bombshell New York Times
article has questioned President Biden’s mental sharpness
A bombshell New York Times article has questioned President Biden’s mental sharpness
 ?? ?? Photos of President Biden falling off his
bike went viral
Photos of President Biden falling off his bike went viral
 ?? ??

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from United Kingdom