Concerns from former President Barack Obama's staff about President Joe Biden's age and political challenges have surfaced.

Members of Obama's former administration, including key speechwriters and advisors, have openly expressed concerns about the current president, focusing particularly on his age and how it might be affecting his political effectiveness. This worry comes from observing Biden's public appearances and the reactions from the public and media alike, as reported by the Daily Mail.

Insights from Obama's speechwriters on Biden's public perception

Jon Favreau, a former speechwriter for Obama, highlighted the perception issue, noting that the public already sees Biden as being on the older side.

Despite believing in Biden's mental acuity, Favreau pointed out that Biden often appears less articulate on camera, which could be contributing to a frail image among voters.

He said:

If you watch Joe Biden speak, oftentimes he sounds frail and he sounds more frail than he used to, even in 2019 and 2020. The voice sounds frail and he shuffles more because of the arthritis in his back.

Favreau referenced recent polls that indicate a significant portion of Americans, as high as 80%, are concerned about Biden's age, suggesting that this is more than just a narrative pushed by the media.

He highlighted the stark contrast between concerns over Biden's age and other political controversies, emphasizing the need for Biden to address these concerns head-on.

Biden's media strategy under scrutiny

Another former Obama speechwriter, Jon Lovett, echoed Favreau's sentiments, stressing the importance of Biden being more visible to the public to demonstrate his mental and physical capabilities.

Lovett argued that despite the risk of gaffes, it's crucial for Biden to be out there engaging with the public and the media.

He stated:

I'm sure that going out there more means more missteps ... more gaffes that start circulating but if you don't view Biden being out there more as a net-positive then the argument he shouldn't be running is right.

Favreau also mentioned the need for Biden to acknowledge the public's concerns about his age rather than dismissing them or reacting defensively, especially in interactions with the media.

Former advisors weigh in on the age debate

Dan Pfeiffer, a former senior advisor to Obama, described Biden's age as a "very real issue" that could impact his ability to secure re-election, especially if he cannot reassure voters who supported him in 2020.

Pfeiffer suggested that addressing concerns about Biden's age should be a top strategic priority for his campaign. Pfeiffer said:

There's a segment of voters who have decided, as of right now, I think their minds can be changed, who have decided that Joe Biden is too old for the job and can't do it, so they're not going to listen to anything he says.

David Axelrod, a former Obama campaign strategist, has been vocal in offering advice, sometimes critically, about Biden's campaign strategy. Axelrod has advocated for Biden to lean into his personality more and to confront challenges directly, even suggesting that Biden embrace his temper as part of his public persona.

Addressing Biden's media engagement and strategy

Axelrod has also criticized the Biden team's media strategy, particularly noting the decision to skip the traditional Super Bowl interview, which he found perplexing.

He suggested that the team might lack confidence in Biden's ability to handle more media engagements without potential missteps.

These sentiments reflect a broader concern among former Obama staffers about how Biden's age and media strategy could be impacting his presidency and electoral prospects. They argue for a more proactive approach in addressing these issues head-on, through increased public engagement and a more transparent acknowledgment of the challenges posed by age.

Conclusion

• Concerns about Biden's age and public perception are significant among former Obama staffers.
• There is a call for Biden to acknowledge these concerns and be more present in the public eye to counteract perceptions of frailty.
• The strategy around Biden's media engagement and handling of public appearances is debated among former advisors, with some advocating for a more aggressive approach.