Biden's re-election withdrawal turns him from hero to tragic figure after Harris loss

In the United States, CBS News correspondent Jan Crawford highlighted President Joe Biden's cognitive decline as a significant underreported story in 2024. During a 'Face the Nation' segment, Crawford pointed out that concerns regarding Biden's mental fitness had become overwhelmingly apparent, particularly during televised debates where his polices and responses led to questions about his suitability for a second term. Despite widespread speculation and doubts among voters, the corporate media has largely failed to address these concerns adequately. Crawford argued that if media outlets had confronted the issue earlier, it could have fundamentally altered the course of the Democratic primary and the subsequent election cycle. The questioning of Biden's mental acuity has been a recurring theme throughout his presidency. Reports from various media sources, including The Wall Street Journal, suggested that Biden's advisors managed his public appearances and interactions extensively to mitigate concerns over his health. This strategy aimed to present a controlled image of a president who was still capable of leading the nation. Public events became increasingly scripted, and aides limited Biden's exposure to potentially challenging situations that could highlight his cognitive decline. Crawford stressed that the media should have recognized and actively questioned Biden's capability to serve another four years. She noted that the failure to do so allowed persistent doubts about his fitness for office to remain unchallenged, which may have obscured the dynamics of the Democratic primary. Polls leading up to the election indicated that a majority of voters harbored questions about Biden’s cognitive fitness. For instance, a Harvard/Harris poll taken in September 2022 revealed that 56 percent of respondents expressed skepticism regarding Biden's mental health, signifying a significant portion of the electorate that was concerned about the incumbent president's ability to govern effectively. As Biden approached the end of his term, his standing shifted from being viewed as a heroic figure who selflessly withdrew from his re-election to being considered tragic after the electoral outcome for Vice President Kamala Harris. Commentators had hailed his initial decision to step aside as comparable to George Washington's voluntary relinquishment of power, viewing it as an act of selflessness. However, the narrative shifted dramatically following the disappointing election results, leading some analysts to label Biden as a one-time heroic leader who became a tragic figure in American politics. This drastic transition underscores how rapidly perceptions of political figures can evolve based on circumstances in electoral contests. Thus, the discourse surrounding President Biden's cognitive status and subsequent decisions have not only affected his political trajectory but have also raised significant questions about the role of media coverage and public perception in shaping electoral outcomes in the United States. The implications of this narrative are profound, particularly regarding how mental fitness is scrutinized in the political arena, impacting candidates' viability and voter trust as the nation approaches another electoral cycle.