A recent poll has highlighted significant concerns among U.S. adults regarding the mental capabilities of both President Joe Biden, aged 81, and former President Donald Trump, aged 77. As the country potentially faces a rematch of the 2020 election, approximately 60% of Americans express skepticism about whether either candidate possesses the mental capacity to effectively serve as president. This sentiment reflects a broader unease about the prospect of either leader, given their ages and the associated risk of cognitive decline.
The survey, conducted by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research, indicates that 63% of participants are not confident in Biden’s mental ability to effectively serve, while 57% express similar doubts about Trump. The findings suggest that issues of age and mental competence may play a significant role in the upcoming presidential election, more so than in past contests. The poll also reveals a partisan divide, with Republicans generally more confident in Trump’s mental capabilities than Democrats are in Biden’s.
In addition to concerns about mental fitness, the poll unveils widespread dissatisfaction with Biden’s handling of key issues such as the economy, immigration, and foreign policy, with only 38% of U.S. adults approving of his presidential performance overall. Despite these challenges, both Biden and Trump remain the likely nominees for their respective parties, leading some voters, like 84-year-old Paul Miller, to hope for alternative candidates in the November election.
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