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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think Biden shouldn't stand for re-election

28 replies

Viviennemary · 27/04/2023 12:56

I know its none of my business but really. If I was a Democrat I would be very worried about this. Why doesnt he make way for a younger person. It's crazy.

OP posts:
ilovesooty · 27/04/2023 12:59

Trump isn't much younger and arguably totally unfit for office.

Do you have concerns about him as well?

Nowthereistwo · 27/04/2023 13:09

I have an issue with both, age being a common denominator

Original poster
Viviennemary · 27/04/2023 13:11

I don't think Trump would get elected after all that's happened. But he is a bit younger than Biden but he too is getting on a bit. I doubt he will stand.

OP posts:
Popsicle42 · 27/04/2023 13:14

I agree with you. I like Biden. I think he’s been an excellent politician for 50-odd years. But an 80 year old should not be standing for President.

My objections to Trump extend way beyond his age. He would be a catastrophe as President whether he was 80 or 35.

7Worfs · 27/04/2023 13:14

How does it work in the US, does the sitting president automatically go for it (if he chooses to) or does the party vote first?

BonnieGlasses · 27/04/2023 13:18

I agree with you. The trouble is, there's no obvious successor, not even Kamala Harris. He's standing again because as the incumbent, he's got a much better chance of winning against whoever the Republican candidate is than any other Democrat would have.

MrsBennetsPoorNerves · 27/04/2023 13:18

I agree that he shouldn't stand again. Not because of his age per se, but because he doesn't really come across as being dynamic or inspiring - that may or may not be a function of his age. There must surely be better democratic candidates.

As for Trump...frankly, his age would be the least of my concerns. His unfitness for public office due to major character flaws is a far bigger issue in my view.

W0tnow · 27/04/2023 13:19

He’s not dynamic or inspiring partly because he’s old.

QuintanaRoo · 27/04/2023 13:21

The issue isn’t just his age….it’s that he’s so unpopular with Americans thatbthe risk of Trump getting back in is high.

Aaron95 · 27/04/2023 13:21

7Worfs · 27/04/2023 13:14

How does it work in the US, does the sitting president automatically go for it (if he chooses to) or does the party vote first?

The party has to nominate its candidate. It can choose not to pick the incumbant President as its candidate. This has happened several times (all in the 1800's).

SwanUppmanship · 27/04/2023 13:22

People live healthily much longer than they used to. As long as he's of sound mind then he should go for it. If I was a democrat/a voter I'd look more carefully at the VP in case Biden did drop dead though.

Aaron95 · 27/04/2023 13:23

QuintanaRoo · 27/04/2023 13:21

The issue isn’t just his age….it’s that he’s so unpopular with Americans thatbthe risk of Trump getting back in is high.

It likely won't be Trump that Biden is runnng against. I think it is unlikely Trump will win the republican nomination this time.

nancy75 · 27/04/2023 13:24

I think Kamala is a problem, people are going to be thinking about what if he dies mid way through (I know it could happen at any age but it is more common in your 80s.)
Kamala Harris is not popular and that could really put people off voting

SorePaw · 27/04/2023 13:30

I don't know enough about politics in the USA.

But could it be possible he's standing as it would mean they're more likely to get voted in, then retire/hand over to someone else? Does that have to be the VP or could the party nominate someone's else?

Anyway, I think we have have quite enough of a shit show of our own without judging theirs!!

sanityisamyth · 27/04/2023 13:33

He doesn't seem to have done anything really positive. He's a vast improvement on Trump but Obama seemed to have a much better idea of what needed to be done!

MissHavishamsMouldyOldCake · 27/04/2023 13:36

Their candidate needs to be the one with the best chance of winning. And as things stand that seems to be Biden. Not ideal that that person will be an octogenarian but would be nonsensical to nominate someone else purely because they're younger. It's a way off yet though so maybe someone will emerge.

MissHavishamsMouldyOldCake · 27/04/2023 13:37

sanityisamyth · 27/04/2023 13:33

He doesn't seem to have done anything really positive. He's a vast improvement on Trump but Obama seemed to have a much better idea of what needed to be done!

Obama didn't actually achieve all that much though. He was too idealistic in trying to build bridges with the Republicans who had no interest in that.

DirectionToPerfection · 27/04/2023 13:38

BonnieGlasses · 27/04/2023 13:18

I agree with you. The trouble is, there's no obvious successor, not even Kamala Harris. He's standing again because as the incumbent, he's got a much better chance of winning against whoever the Republican candidate is than any other Democrat would have.

This in a nutshell.

DirectionToPerfection · 27/04/2023 13:41

Aaron95 · 27/04/2023 13:23

It likely won't be Trump that Biden is runnng against. I think it is unlikely Trump will win the republican nomination this time.

Show quote history

It will more than likely be Trump and the polls back this up. The Democrats are gambling on this being the case, they know Biden can and most likely will beat Trump.

CoffeeCantata · 27/04/2023 13:42

BonnieGlasses · Today 13:18
I agree with you. The trouble is, there's no obvious successor, not even Kamala Harris. He's standing again because as the incumbent, he's got a much better chance of winning against whoever the Republican candidate is than any other Democrat would have.

Yes, I agree. I'm very disappointed in Biden - and I suppose his main selling point was that he isn't Donald Trump, and thank goodness he defeated Trump.

But I do think that 80 is pushing it to be looking at another term. Some jobs you can do till you're 90, but 'Leader of the Western World' is gruelling for anybody. Would he have the energy?

Basically, for me, he's just been a damp squib. And embarrasssing too - going to Ireland and pretending to be Irish - I guess, just to be anti-British, I suppose.

I was recently watching some YouTube videos of speeches and broadcasts by Dwight Eisenhower (Republican) and also JFK. Oh God! How depressing. The level of statesmanship, erudition, oratory, authenticity, intelligence and experience which emanates from these men is stratospheric compared to the recent presidents and presidential candidates. So depressing. You could say the same about the UK, too. Whatever you might think about politicians of the past, they tended to be of a far higher calibre than the people we have now. I gues in the States, it's SO much about money now - how much you can throw at your campaign - which is why we get the likes of Trump. But there must be other reasons, too.

Yes, - what other choice is there? Absolutely no-one who inspires confidence or enthusiasm.

steff13 · 27/04/2023 13:44

SorePaw · 27/04/2023 13:30

I don't know enough about politics in the USA.

But could it be possible he's standing as it would mean they're more likely to get voted in, then retire/hand over to someone else? Does that have to be the VP or could the party nominate someone's else?

Anyway, I think we have have quite enough of a shit show of our own without judging theirs!!

No, He doesn't get to retire or hand the reins over to someone else. If something happened to him and he was unable to complete his term then yes the vice president becomes the president.

7Worfs · 27/04/2023 13:47

@CoffeeCantata Yes, the quality of politicians has declined rapidly in recent decades.

I’m certain some of today’s big YouTubers or TikTokers will end up as leaders of nations. Depressing.

momtoboys · 27/04/2023 13:52

One of the problems is that there are no better candidates for the Democrats. They have done a poor job of developing a talent pool for future offices.

Gymrabbit · 27/04/2023 13:53

I find it utterly incredible that in a country of 350 millions people the best they can come up with is a senile octogenarian and an orange corrupt businessman.

Gymrabbit · 27/04/2023 13:54

Biden is clearly suffering from mental deterioration and is it seems is also quite racist. There must be someone better .

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