President Joe Biden’s staff is reportedly taking extraordinary measures to mitigate public concerns about his age and physical fitness ahead of his 2024 reelection campaign. These efforts are reflective of the significant concern among voters about Biden’s age, which has been highlighted as a key issue in recent polls.
Axios has reported that, in a bid to prevent further public stumbles, President Biden has been participating in exercises aimed at improving his balance and has been wearing tennis shoes more often to avoid slipping. He now uses the short stairs on Air Force One, entering the plane on a lower deck than before.
Axios noted, “Some senior Democrats privately have been frustrated with Biden’s advance team for months, citing the sandbag incident and noting that the president often appears not to know which direction to go after he speaks at a podium.”
These changes have been implemented under the guidance of physical therapist Drew Contreras, who also worked with former President Obama.
The measures being taken by Biden’s team are reminiscent of their efforts during the 2020 campaign to prevent him from contracting COVID-19. The emphasis on physical fitness and safety underscores the campaign’s recognition of the age factor in Biden’s bid for a second term.
According to an AP-NORC poll, three-fourths of Americans perceive Biden as too old for office1. This sentiment is echoed in other polls indicating that Biden’s age is among voters’ chief concerns about him. It’s clear that the president’s age will be a significant factor in the upcoming election, and the Biden camp seems determined to address it head-on.
Despite these efforts, questions remain about whether these measures will be enough to assuage voters’ concerns. The Biden team’s unprecedented focus on the president’s physical fitness speaks volumes about the challenges they face as they gear up for the 2024 campaign.
As the 2024 election draws closer, the Biden campaign’s strategies and actions will undoubtedly continue to evolve. Yet, one thing is certain: his age and fitness for office will remain central issues throughout the campaign.
