Following his recent debate performance, there has been a surge in speculation and worries about Joe Biden's health. Billionaire Bill Ackman shared a video of Joe Biden's stuttering delivery and unblinking manner during the debate versus Donald Trump, which went viral. Biden did not appear to blink once.
Doctors and experts responded with various potential explanations, ranging from Parkinson’s disease to medication side effects. Roger D. Klein suggested that Biden might have conditions like masked facies and psychomotor retardation, which are associated with Parkinson’s. Other experts speculated about the possibility of medication effects, such as amphetamines or stimulants like Adderall, Ritalin, or Desoxyn.
The first debate triggered not just memes but also serious concerns among Democrats about Biden’s fitness for another term. Public and private acknowledgments from some Democrats indicated that Biden’s coherence and overall performance were subpar, reinforcing fears that he might not be able to carry the party through the November election. His rapid, hoarse voice and frequent stumbles added to the growing unease.
Biden’s health report from February, published by the White House, described him as a "healthy, active, robust 81-year-old male" who was fit to perform presidential duties and was responding well to treatment for sleep apnea. However, his debate performance, marked by stammering and difficulty articulating his campaign’s key points, stood in stark contrast to this assessment.
During the debate, Biden struggled with discussing the economy, health initiatives, and other critical issues. He mixed up terms like “billion” and “million” and brought up the administration’s Afghanistan withdrawal unprompted, further muddling his points. His extended periods of silence and unblinking gaze while Trump spoke only heightened the perception of his struggle.
Some prominent Democrats have openly suggested that it might be time for Biden to step down from the race. There were calls for an open convention to find a replacement candidate, with some expressing deep concern over Biden’s ability to secure a victory in the upcoming election.
The debate format, which Biden’s team had tried to structure in his favor by scheduling it early and without an audience, did little to alleviate concerns. Despite growing stronger throughout the night and delivering some sharp rebukes to Trump, Biden’s initial performance left a lasting impression of vulnerability.
Vice President Kamala Harris defended Biden's performance, emphasizing the election's importance and downplaying the shaky start. However, the overall reaction from Democrats and the public was one of alarm, with many questioning Biden's readiness for another term.
(Input from various sources)
(Rehash/ Susmita Bhandary/MSM)