Biden goes to his annual physical exam. The results will be observed thoroughly in your campaign

2024-02-28 16:38:02

BETHESDA, Md. (AP) — U.S. President Joe Biden visits Walter Reed Military Medical Center on Wednesday for his annual physical, and the results are sure to be closely watched as the 81-year-old politician seeks re-election.

Already the oldest president in US history, Biden would turn 86 at the end of his second term, if he wins. After his most recent examination, carried out in February 2023, doctors declared Biden “healthy, vigorous” and “fit” to perform his duties in the White House.

But voters approach this year’s election with suspicion because of Biden’s age, having analyzed his mistakes, his cough, his slow walk and even falling off his bicycle.

In a recent report by a special counsel investigating the president’s possession of classified documents, his memory was repeatedly ridiculed as “vague,” “confusing,” “deficient,” “poor,” and having “significant limitations.” It was also noted that Biden could not remember milestones from his own life, such as when his son Beau died, or when he was vice president.

Still, speaking to reporters the afternoon the report was released, Biden said “my memory is fine” and became visibly angry as he denied that he had forgotten when his son died of brain cancer in 2015, at age 46.

Many Americans, including Democrats, have expressed reservations about Biden’s pursuit of a second term in the fall election. Only 37% of Democrats say Biden should seek reelection, down from 52% before the 2022 midterms, according to a poll by The Associated Press and the NORC Center for Public Affairs Research.

Polls have also shown a similar reluctance about Trump, although this has not prevented both of them from being close to obtaining their parties’ nomination.

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Weissert reported from Washington.

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