A pair of Senate Democrats on Sunday defended President Joe Biden after a New York Times editorial raised concerns about the commander-in-chief’s age.
“Meet the Press” moderator Chuck Todd asked Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL), chairman of the Judiciary Committee, if Biden should be doing more to assure Americans he is up to the job as the 2024 election approaches.
“I think his schedule reflects an active person, mentally and physically, who is engaging with the American people on a regular basis,” Durbin said during the NBC News interview.
"Should President Biden be doing more to show Americans that he's up to the job?"
Democrat Senator Dick Durbin: "I think his schedule reflects an active person, mentally and physically, who is engaging with the American people." pic.twitter.com/SkdrwdryZa
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) April 23, 2023
Todd asked the question after sharing an excerpt from the editorial about Biden, published on Saturday following reports saying the president is expected to announce his re-election campaign this week. Already the oldest person to be president at 80, Biden would be 86 at the end of a second term.
“Concerns about age — both in terms of fitness for office and being out of touch with the moment — are legitimate, as Mr. Biden acknowledged in an interview in February with ABC News. His standard line, repeated in that interview, is: “The only thing I can say is, ‘Watch me,’” the editorial says.
“But Mr. Biden has given voters very few chances to do just that — to watch him — and his refusal to engage with the public regularly raises questions about his age and health,” the editorial adds.
Durbin went on to explain how he has seen evidence first-hand that assures him that Biden is still a capable president.
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“I don’t know what more they’re asking for, but I’ve been in meetings with him time after time,” Durbin said of Biden. “His performance tells me he’s up to the job, and does it well.”
Durbin added: “Let’s concede the obvious, what his age is. But let’s look at the obvious. He’s an active president who is meeting the challenges of America every day.”
Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), who endorsed Biden in 2020 upon ending her own presidential bid, faced similar questions about Biden’s fitness to serve during an appearance on CNN’s “State of the Union.”
"How do you think President Biden could overcome [concerns about his age and mental stamina]?"
Democrat Senator Amy Klobuchar: "Biden has such a strong record to run on!" pic.twitter.com/uv4kLbRFFz
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) April 23, 2023
“President Biden has such a strong record to run on,” Klobuchar said.
After reciting aspects of Biden’s record, Klobuchar argued the incumbent offers Americans a “steady hand” in the White House, comparing him to former President Donald Trump, who is running for re-election.
“People don’t want that chaos back again,” Klobuchar added.