Anchor Hands Biden A Brutal Assessment
On Sunday night, "60 Minutes" host Scott Pelley sat down with President Joe Biden for an exclusive interview, as the president faced a tumultuous week dealing with multiple international crises.
Pelley noted that while they were speaking, Biden's Secretary of State was in Israel and his Defense Secretary was at a NATO meeting on Ukraine, causing the 80-year-old president to appear "tired" from directing American efforts on the world stage.
As the oldest-serving president in American history, Biden's age has been a talking point for critics and political strategists. Even among Democratic voters, there is some hesitation about his advanced years as he runs for re-election.
A recent Politico column by senior columnist Jonathan Martin revealed that Democratic leaders have noticed their voters expressing apprehension about Biden's age, with a common refrain being that he is "too old" and not enough people can recall his accomplishments.
In addition, a Monmouth University poll released in October showed that a majority of voters believed Biden, at 80, was "too old" to serve another term, while only 48% said the same about former President Donald Trump, who is just three and a half years younger.
During their interview, Biden was asked directly if he was serious about seeking re-election in 2024. In response, the president stated that he was "sure" about running again because he wanted to capitalize on the opportunity to bring about peace in the world.
However, the international crises consuming Biden's attention at the moment have drawn criticism from both conservative and liberal media figures. As the Israel-Hamas conflict continues, at least 20 Americans are reported to be missing, according to National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan.
While speaking about the missing Americans, Sullivan clarified that not all of them are necessarily hostages, but the situation remains concerning.
Pelley's interview with Biden covered a range of topics, from the president's plans for pushing his infrastructure and climate change agenda to his ongoing efforts to unite the country. However, the exhaustion and weight of dealing with multiple crises were palpable, causing Pelley to point out that Biden appeared tired.
"It had been a rough week and we could see it on him," Pelley said.
Despite the challenges facing the nation, Biden remained steadfast in his commitment to his agenda and goals for his presidency. His age may be a concern for some, but the president made it clear that he is determined to continue leading the country for another term.
As the interview came to a close, Biden vowed to continue working towards a future filled with peace and prosperity for all Americans, and the world. With his presidency still in its early stages, it remains to be seen how Biden will handle the challenges ahead, but his determination and resilience are undeniable. Only time will tell if the 80-year-old president will achieve his ambitious goals and win another term in office.