Is Biden's cognitive decline the biggest issue ignored in the 2024 race?

In the United States, President Joe Biden's presidency has been marked by intense scrutiny of his mental health and overall fitness for office, culminating in his withdrawal from the 2024 presidential race. As early as his 2020 election campaign, doubts about Biden's cognitive capabilities had started to circulate but escalated during the 2024 election cycle, particularly after a disastrous debate performance in June. In the aftermath of this event, Biden's advisers reportedly struggled to manage public perception of his health, attempting to shield him from face-to-face interactions and limiting public appearances. Such tactics aimed to quell ongoing concerns over his age and cognitive skills, particularly as he was already the oldest incumbent president in U.S. history. Public sentiment began to shift dramatically leading up to the debate; by early 2024, a significant portion of the American populace perceived Biden as being too old to run again. Polling indicated that approximately 86 percent of Americans held this view, reflecting a widespread unease that grew over the course of his term. This unease was exacerbated by media coverage that had previously defended Biden's cognitive abilities, only to later acknowledge these were overlooked issues. Reports from quality outlets such as The Wall Street Journal have highlighted how the White House concealed Biden's mental decline, framing it as a form of elder abuse. Many insiders in the Democratic Party expressed their discomfort with Biden's candidacy, leading to calls for him to step aside well before his official withdrawal. The media, which had largely supported Biden throughout his presidency, began to change its tone after recognizing that the public was no longer willing to accept reassurances about his competence. This shift included a review of past statements and the gradual admission that concerns about Biden's age and cognitive decline should have been addressed more forcefully. The urgency for improvement was underscored when CBS reporter Jan Crawford stated that Biden's cognitive abilities would be the most crucial and underreported story of the election cycle. In the aftermath of the debate, Biden's prior declarations of being fit to serve were doubted even among his political supporters, with high-profile figures questioning the wisdom of his continued candidacy. The interplay between Biden's public presentations and the realities his aides were managing painted a complex picture of a presidency struggling under the weight of public perception and internal confidence. Ultimately, Biden made the decision to withdraw from the race, which many believe was directly influenced by these ongoing doubts about his health, his recent performance, and Democratic party dynamics. This series of events unfolds as America enters a new political era with President-elect Donald Trump anticipated to resume his leadership role, leading to speculations about the country’s political future.