Donors' concerns mount over Biden's reliance on notecards: Axios

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
23 Feb 2024 18:47
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Some donors worry about his ability to handle the demands of the presidential campaign and potential debates, especially against a younger opponent like Donald Trump.

President Joe Biden walks to speak about his meeting with Alexei Navalny's widow Yulia Navalnaya and daughter Dasha, in San Francisco, Thursday, Feb. 22, 2024 (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

Axios reported on Friday, citing sources close to the matter, that US President Joe Biden's reliance on notecards used to answer questions during fundraiser events is increasing concerns among his donors.

According to the sources, some donors have questioned Biden's ability to withstand the challenging conditions of the presidential campaign.

They are also worried that the 81-year-old candidate will encounter difficulties if he participates in direct debates with his rival, Donald Trump, who is four years younger.

However, Biden's aides have clarified that he utilizes notecards solely for addressing highly detailed and technical questions.

They added that he regularly engages in spontaneous Q&A sessions, as per the report.

The report stated that in numerous instances, Biden employs notecards at the behest of his detail-oriented staff, who aim to guarantee that he delivers thorough responses and ensures the success of his fundraisers.

Memory lapse

Biden's age has recently become a matter of controversy in the US, especially in light of the many gaffes he has made since the start of his tenure. Some lawmakers have gone as far as labeling his health a "national security issue" that requires urgent attention.

In a recent investigation regarding the claim of Biden mishandling classified documents, Special Counsel Robert Hur concluded that Biden intentionally kept and shared classified information, but did not recommend criminal charges against him.

Hur's report cited several instances of Biden experiencing lapses in memory about key points in his life and career.

Responding to the findings, Biden said he had taken responsibility for the misconduct related to the documents, but essentially blamed his staff for moving things out of his house without "having exactly seen them". Regarding the recommendations Hur suggested concerning this matter, Biden jested, "I've been president and I put this country back on its feet, I don't need his recommendation."

Reporters who discussed the file with Biden also asked him about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, to which Biden responded, mixing up the Mexican and Egyptian presidents. Referring to Egypt's El-Sisi, Biden said "The Mexican President, Sisi", once again calling into question his mental capabilities and awareness.

Biden disgraced himself, the United States

Biden recently made headlines in Russia after calling Russian President Vlaimir Putin a "crazy SOB".

Biden made the comment while discussing the climate crisis at a fundraiser in San Francisco, stating, “We have a crazy SoB like Putin and others, and we always have to worry about nuclear conflict, but the existential threat to humanity is climate.”

The Kremlin has criticized Biden for demeaning himself and bringing disgrace to his country.

"The use of such language against the head of another state by the president of the United States is unlikely to infringe on our president, President Putin," Kremlin Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said. "But it debases those who use such vocabulary."

Peskov stressed the comments were “probably some kind of attempt to look like a Hollywood cowboy.”

Putin, on his part, called the comments "rude," and stated that his reaction was adequate to previous comments made by the head of the Russian Federation.

"Rude," the president said when reacting to Biden’s statement.

Putin referenced his prior statement in which he expressed that Biden would be a more favorable US president for Russia compared to former US President Donald Trump due to Biden being more "predictable."

"And judging by what he just said, I’m absolutely right, because this is an adequate reaction to what I said," Putin said, adding that Biden "can not just say thank you."