Joe Biden drove up to Capitol Hill last week to deliver his final State of the Union address to Congress before November’s pivotal US election with public expectations at rock bottom. He returned to the White House a few hours later with all flags flying and the cheers of grateful (and relieved) Democrats ringing in his ears. Biden had survived what could easily have turned into a wake for his unpopular presidency. More than that, he had scored a personal mini-triumph which, for now at least, has boosted faith in his ability to win a second term.
The reasons so little was expected of Biden are not difficult to discern. He is 81 and many Americans – 73% of all registered voters, according to one recent poll – believe he is too old to be an effective second-term president. Even among Democrat voters, confidence has slipped since 2020. Only 28% are enthusiastic about his candidacy, while 38% think the party should pick someone else. Views of Donald Trump, 77, the likely Republican nominee, are barely more positive. About 42% of all registered voters say he is too old.
