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Self Esteem

(2,248 posts)

113. Yes. Biden definitely aged a lot over the last eight years.

Wed May 28, 2025, 10:35 AM

May 28

But I think what really hurt him optics wise was his fading voice and his worsening gait.

If you listen to Biden in 2016, then again in 2020 and finally 2024, you can hear the change. He wasn't as strong in 2020 as he was in 2016 and certainly not as strong in 2024 as he was in 2020.

Fair or not, the voice has an impact on perception and he sounded much weaker, and his stutter much more pronounced than when he was VP or even a candidate in 2020.

There's no better example of this than playing his 2020 debate performances and his 2024 debate performance back-to-back. You can see a very stark difference in tone, confidence, conciseness and clarity.

Biden was so much more active and forceful in the 2020 debates (even if he wasn't as strong as he had been in the 2012 VP debate) compared to 2024.

Meanwhile, Trump sounded the same. I think that's how Trump has been able to dodge the concerns about his mental state far more effectively than Biden.

1. His voice is loud and booming and confident and that can go along way toward perception.

2. Trump has a history of saying unhinged things. It's kinda baked into the cake now. He was unhinged back in 2016 so it's what people kinda expect.

3. Trump is everywhere. He appears way more active, even if he isn't, because he's mugging for cameras every day. I don't think there's been a day since he took office that I didn't see him on TV rambling about something. With Biden, his media presence was very limited and that made it very difficult to push back against the allegations that he declining. And when he did appear in front of the media, it went poorly at times...like his press conference after the Hur comments.

Which, sadly, does give fodder to those who claim they hid Biden's decline because it did seem like his staff did not trust him.

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There was no cover-up and there was nothing wrong with President Biden [View all] Quiet Em May 27 OP

President Biden is still a very agile man, mentally and physically. Kamala will make a superb president of the US. Clouds Passing May 27 #1

Throughout his term as president, Joe Biden fought fiercely for justice. usonian May 27 #2

Why is that woman sitting next to a steaming trash heap? calimary May 27 #28

Don't feel TOO sorry for her. ShazzieB May 27 #35

I bet you're right. calimary May 27 #37

She is dreaming HappyH May 27 #40

Does she envision him with fires, ketchup, and a diet coke? Attilatheblond May 27 #44

I am reminded of the Munsters episode "The Fregosi Emerald" ... and "The Fregosi Curse" usonian May 27 #41

I don't have one ounce of sympathy for her. She's just as rotten. chowder66 May 27 #62

One steaming trash heap sitting next to another steaming trash heap. What's the jrthin May 27 #80

She is wondering "why hasn't this MF DIED, already??!!" Jack Valentino May 27 #99

they use each other Skittles May 28 #100

In my experience, that isn't acuity - it's a lid and brow lift. Ms. Toad May 27 #79

Interesting Hekate May 27 #81

Look at older photos of his eyes. Ms. Toad May 27 #83

HINT: It's the sparkle. usonian May 27 #82

That same "sparkle" is now present in my spouse's eyes, Ms. Toad May 27 #86

Here is what is important now. everyonematters May 27 #3

The first lesson Keepthesoulalive May 27 #4

MSM is Reich wing yankee87 May 27 #26

The Fairness Doctrine only applied to over the air broadcasts, not cable or internet media n/t MichMan May 27 #34

The real damage came with the Telecommunications Act. rubbersole May 27 #60

Now add that to the loss of civil and voting rights... ananda May 27 #56

If you said, would not be up to another 4 years, you would be correct karynnj May 27 #23

Had corporate media reported the facts, a strong majority of the voters would have known Trump was not up to the job. sop May 27 #29

Since Clinton and the "Great Clenis Hunt" I have been saying that when the autopsy is written on the USA, OMGWTF May 27 #49

Wrong, they knew and didn't care Pisces May 28 #102

I agree with you here Dorian Gray May 28 #109

Denial is a powerful coping mechanism Fiendish Thingy May 27 #5

If you expect rational DU'ers to "Accept" Trapper's half-truth hack job you might be in for a surprise. emulatorloo May 27 #8

Tapper's book isn't the sole source of information about Biden's decline in functioning Fiendish Thingy May 27 #15

He moves a little slower and takes a little longer to put out his thoughts Quiet Em May 27 #17

Nothing wrong with that Fiendish Thingy May 27 #21

I'm not so sure he would have lost. soldierant May 27 #84

By June 2024, Biden was behind by double digits in every poll Fiendish Thingy May 27 #87

In 2016 Hillary was way ahead in the polls. soldierant May 27 #88

Like Clooney having a "Don't you know who I am!" Bettie May 27 #32

Oh, yeah, riiiight. themaguffin May 27 #57

There is a HUGE difference between not having what it takes for a successful campaign karynnj May 27 #64

The problem is, he had to be a successful candidate before he could be president again Fiendish Thingy May 27 #70

I get that and agree that he should have made the decision not to run earlier karynnj May 27 #91

And I remember when Hillary was dying because she collapsed during a 9/11 Memorial. W_HAMILTON May 27 #73

Many people have gone on the record Fiendish Thingy May 27 #76

I agree, you don't have to like the truth, but please stop denying it. W_HAMILTON May 27 #90

I know what my eyes saw and my ears heard Fiendish Thingy May 27 #94

lol, yes, those furthest away from him are the ones we should trust! W_HAMILTON May 27 #95

I think you are arguing with trolls at this point. Everyone with eyes and ears should come to their own Pisces May 28 #103

Trolls is too harsh and inaccurate of a descriptor Fiendish Thingy May 28 #112

If our side, which I consider more intelligent, more reasonable, and more realistic is having difficulty coming Pisces May 28 #114

Well, if SS or Medicare/medicaid collapses, denial will be impossible Fiendish Thingy May 28 #115

I agree with everything you said. I am sad it has come to this for him. I wish he had better advisors. Pisces May 28 #101

Agree on some and disagree on other points Cosmocat May 28 #110

Oh ffs themaguffin May 27 #54

We as Democrats and progressives had four years to stop Trump and MAGA. flashman13 May 27 #9

Nobody was denying that Biden was old. Tommy Carcetti May 27 #12

There is plenty of public evidence documenting Biden's decline in functioning Fiendish Thingy May 27 #16

Again, nothing beyond the usual for a person of that age. nt Tommy Carcetti May 27 #18

"For a person that age" Jose Garcia May 27 #20

Should I believe you, or my own eyes? Nt Fiendish Thingy May 27 #22

I'd probably rely on a medical report above all. Including your own eyes. Tommy Carcetti May 27 #42

Apparently there are several who are doctors SocialDemocrat61 May 27 #43

And yet, we all agree that Trump is cognitively impaired Fiendish Thingy May 27 #48

I can't say whether or not he is cognitively impaired. Tommy Carcetti May 27 #50

You haven't noticed a significant decline in Trump's speech? Fiendish Thingy May 27 #69

Perhaps but not to a degree of medical certainty. Tommy Carcetti May 27 #72

It's noticeable and measureable Fiendish Thingy May 27 #74

Which stage of grief is "belief in wild conspiracy theories"? WarGamer May 27 #59

One doesn't have to believe in "Wild conspiracy theories" to acknowledge Biden's decline. Fiendish Thingy May 27 #71

I actually meant it the other way around... WarGamer May 27 #75

I strongly agree with you Fiendish Thingy May 27 #77

It does seem to be a stage in all political losses in recent years fujiyamasan May 28 #117

This thread is depressing fujiyamasan May 27 #68

Joe Biden needed a personal trainer MacKasey May 27 #6

Proof is in the pudding. Biden did a great job. Trump is doing permanent damage to our country every day. Midnight Writer May 27 #7

By EVERY measure. calimary May 27 #33

Cover up shit. Joe Biden is one of the most honest people in politics. Walleye May 27 #10

He was an 81 year old man who talked and walked like the average 81 year old man would. Tommy Carcetti May 27 #11

Nothing was wrong mentally. He could still make rational decisions. maxsolomon May 27 #13

They're racists... ZDU May 27 #14

Excellent point and yes this moniss May 27 #19

"We finally beat Medicare!" Jose Garcia May 27 #24

He misspoke. That happens to everyone. Quiet Em May 27 #25

"Biden won the debate" Jose Garcia May 27 #31

To claim Biden won the debate is a gobsmacking denial of reality. Celerity May 28 #104

The biggest mistake was looking at the party's relatively strong midterm performance fujiyamasan May 28 #118

We lost the 2022 national House vote by around 3 million, and lost it by around 6 million if CA is removed. Celerity May 28 #120

"They're eating the dogs. They're eating the cats." thought crime May 28 #108

i think there is more et tu May 27 #27

OMG, that makes a scary amount of sense! ShazzieB May 27 #39

What was "wrong" with him was that he was 81 and showed it, Ocelot II May 27 #30

I recently watched former President Clinton give remarks at the 30th anniversary of the Oklahoma City bombing. Tommy Carcetti May 27 #45

The voice is one of the first things to go - it has to do with breathing support. Ocelot II May 27 #46

This isn't helping. Don't get mired in the past. Move on. Fight today's battles. Keep your eye on the ball. BurnDoubt May 27 #36

I think Biden would have beat trump a second time. The power of incumbency is huge. Blues Heron May 27 #38

There's a major river in Africa I'm thinking of...nt Dreamer Tatum May 27 #47

This is what I keep coming back to. If anything happens, the VP takes over. betsuni May 27 #51

A lot of people toting Tapper's water for him. Torchlight May 27 #52

I've said it before, and I'll say it again: Paladin May 27 #53

The amazing thing is . . . peggysue2 May 27 #55

Also, Tapper thinks Jill Biden might've become so "enamored" of the fabulous First Lady Jackie O lifestyle that she betsuni May 27 #58

CNN showed their true colors. spanone May 27 #61

Damn straight. Yes, Biden has slowed down, and he did underperform in the last debate. But there is a word of difference Martin68 May 27 #63

I think either Biden or his staff pushed him to hard before the debate. I was worried about his performance doc03 May 27 #65

Well Stated, Em! Cha May 27 #66

I don't know if I'd say there was a cover up but there was definitely a refusal to address his biggest vulnerabilities. Self Esteem May 27 #67

Good recap fujiyamasan May 28 #105

Yes. Biden definitely aged a lot over the last eight years. Self Esteem May 28 #113

Agree 100% cate94 May 27 #78

Hey Jake, TAP THIS... Blue Owl May 27 #85

I suppose there's not a ton of harm in indulging fantasies like this, but the denial in this thread is really something. tritsofme May 27 #89

Yeah, a whole lot of gaslighting going on here. Ace Rothstein May 27 #92

really? North Coast Lawyer May 27 #93

BIDEN WORLD STRIKES BACK LetMyPeopleVote May 27 #96

Fmr DNC Chair Jaime Harrrison dubbed this book a A BOLD FACED LIE LetMyPeopleVote May 27 #97

And people wonder haydukelives May 27 #98

Part of establishing and legitimizing a dictatorship . . . Aussie105 May 28 #106

Indeed, and he had plenty of support. Patton French May 28 #107

Whether there was a cover-up or not it was pretty obvious to me Biden was not up doc03 May 28 #111

Maybe mass amnesia? MorbidButterflyTat May 28 #116

I didn't appreciate the condescending comments either. Quiet Em May 28 #119

Jake Tapper's book is bombing LetMyPeopleVote May 30 #121

tapper's tv ratings are also bombing LetMyPeopleVote Jun 1 #122