Survey Reveals Over Half of Americans Question Biden’s Cognitive Health – Sky Bulletin
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A recent AP-NORC poll highlights a concerning trend among U.S. adults, who increasingly question President Joe Biden’s mental fitness for office. With his State of the Union address looming, the pressure intensifies as the nation assesses his capability for a potential second term.
An increasing number of individuals, now around 60%, express doubts about the 81-year-old president’s mental acuity, a figure that has seen a rise from roughly 50% in early 2022, as reported by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research.
Skepticism is not solely aimed at Biden; a comparable share of the population also lacks confidence in the cognitive abilities of 77-year-old former President Donald Trump, the leading Republican contender.
The upcoming election may require voters to choose between two senior candidates for a demanding role that entails managing global crises and navigating a challenging legislative landscape. President Biden is expected to address these and other concerns during his State of the Union address, where he will seek to justify his bid for re-election.
As the State of the Union approaches, only 38% of Americans approve of Biden’s presidential performance, with an approval disparity among political affiliations — 74% of Democrats, 20% of independents, and 6% of Republicans support him. Discontent spans several issues, including the economy, immigration, and foreign policy.
On the brighter side, Biden’s handling of health care, climate change, abortion policy, and Ukrainian conflict receives approval from about 40% of the populace. However, his approach to immigration, the conflict in the Middle East, and economic policy receives even lower satisfaction ratings, subjects sure to arise during his congressional address.
When it comes to perceived economic wellbeing, 57% of Americans believe the national situation has deteriorated since Biden’s inauguration in 2021. Yet 54% of individuals feel their personal finances are in good shape, despite national economic concerns.
Some survey respondents voiced pessimism about the November election options, citing age and potential cognitive decline as significant factors. Concerns about Biden’s age have been compounded by a special counsel’s report, which described his memory in unflattering terms but stopped short of recommending criminal charges for mishandling classified documents — in contrast to allegations against Trump.
The poll reflects an increase in uncertainty among Democrats about Biden’s mental sharpness, while Republicans appear more confident in Trump’s cognitive abilities. Despite partisan differences, both sides largely agree that the opposing party’s probable nominee is mentally unfit for office.
The survey, conducted between February 22-26, 2024, sampled 1,102 adults with a margin of sampling error of ±4.1 percentage points.
As the State of the Union address approaches, and with an eye toward the forthcoming elections, President Joe Biden’s mental acuity has become a central concern among American voters. The AP-NORC survey indicates that doubts about Biden’s cognitive health are shared by a significant portion of the populace, an issue that is also raised in the context of his potential competitor, Donald Trump. The impact of these perceptions on political engagement and electoral outcomes remains to be seen, but the discourse surrounding age and mental fitness is likely to persist as a key factor in the assessment of presidential candidates.
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