Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton implied that the White House is no place for old men, including President Joe Biden, The Hill reported. Clinton said the advanced age of both candidates is a "legitimate issue" in the 2024 presidential election.
Democrats like Clinton are finally acknowledging the possible catastrophe ahead if voters reject Biden due to his age. Clinton spoke to MSNBC’s Alex Wagner this week and argued that it's a vulnerability for the 81-year-old president and the presumptive GOP nominee, former President Donald Trump.
"I talked to people in the White House all the time, and you know, they know it’s an issue, but as I like to say, look, it’s a legitimate issue," the twice-failed presidential candidate said. Clinton softened the blow by adding that Trump faces a similar problem.
"It’s a legitimate issue for [former President] Trump, who’s only three years younger. So, it’s an issue," she added.
Voters have become increasingly concerned about Biden's cognitive and physical health as his deficits. According to an NBC News Poll conducted last month, 76% of respondents had major or moderate concerns about Biden "not having the necessary mental and physical health to be president for a second term."
However, Clinton made the case for overcoming that obstacle by selling it to the American people as an asset. "I think Biden also should lean into the fact that he’s experienced, and that experience is not just in the political arena," she said.
"It’s like, the stuff of, you know, human experience. I think he should be willing to really pull that out … and I think he should care more about it," Clinton said, attempting to put a positive spin on the president's geriatric age.
Clinton also urged voters to remember "what’s at stake in the election," perhaps hoping to reignite the hysteria over the possibility of Trump in the White House. "I’m for Joe Biden for reelection on the merits because I think he’s done a really good job as president. So, I think he should continue to get out and campaign."
Clinton also recommended that Biden continue to make self-deprecating jokes to take the bite out of the issue. Instead, Biden is becoming angrier and more unrestrained when asked about his age.
This was most evident following a news conference Thursday where Biden responded to special counsel Robert Hur's characterization of the president as a "sympathetic, well-meaning, elderly man with a poor memory." Hur said this while letting Biden off the hook for mishandling classified documents, Fox News reported.
"I'm well-meaning, and I'm an elderly man, and I know what the hell I'm doing," Biden shot back at reporters.
"I've been president. I put this country back on its feet. I don't need his recommendation," he said of Hur.
Biden continues to decline as it becomes increasingly difficult to cover for him. When even Democratic Party insiders like Clinton are saying this, there's surely trouble ahead.
