OPINION | This article contains the author's opinion.
Democratic presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has challenged President Joe Biden to debate in order to prove his “mental and physical fitness” for office.
Biden, who is already the oldest president in US history at 80, would turn 82 in the event that he wins re-election in 2024.
With numerous mental lapses and gaffes in public, many Americans have questioned whether Biden is physically and mentally fit to hold the most important job in the world. (Poll: Is Joe Biden Fit to be President? VOTE)
Kennedy Jr. said, “President Biden could put to rest any concerns about his fitness for office by engaging me in a vigorous, issues-oriented debate.”
“Let’s end the speculation and let the voters see for themselves,” he added.
President Biden could put to rest any concerns about his fitness for office by engaging me in a vigorous, issues-oriented debate. Let’s end the speculation and let the voters see for themselves. #Kennedy24
Quote tweet #BidenDebateKennedy if you agree https://t.co/WOFEcDlswa
— Robert F. Kennedy Jr (@RobertKennedyJr) September 1, 2023
The social media hashtag “#BidenDebateKennedy” is gaining momentum as the White House appears to be protecting Biden from participating in any debates.
Biden is often seen in public holding large index cards that give him simple instructions about where to stand and what to say.
Amidst growing concerns about Biden’s fitness for a second term, questions are arising from various quarters, including not only the Republican opposition but also journalists and a minority of Democrats.
Despite the typically deferential stance of the White House press corps towards a Democratic incumbent, they have been pressing Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre on whether Biden is too old for the role, inquiries she has deflected without fully addressing the underlying worries.
In an unusual move, the Democratic National Committee has declined to arrange debates between Biden and Kennedy, opting instead to facilitate Biden’s path to securing the party’s nomination for his reelection bid, as is customary for incumbents in both major parties.
While Kennedy continues to lag significantly behind Biden in numerous polls, reports indicate that his campaign events are drawing substantial crowds, and he is gaining momentum in early primary states like South Carolina.
The possibility of other Democratic contenders entering the race is being discussed, but the clock is ticking, and qualifying time is running short.