Late in Thursday’s debate, President Biden, 81, and former President Donald J. Trump, 78, were asked the looming question: How could they assuage voters’ concerns about their ability to handle the presidency as they continue to age?
Neither man’s answer may have been enough to push aside those qualms.
Mr. Biden, who has faced the more nagging questions about his mental and physical acuity, addressed the concern briefly before shifting topics.
“I spent half my career being criticized being the youngest person in politics,” he said, a common reframe making reference to his youth — 30 years old — when he first became a senator.
This guy is three years younger, and a lot less competent.”Mr. Biden then spent the rest of his answer promoting his administration’s accomplishments, meandering through an anecdote about visiting South Korea to encourage semiconductor production in the United States.
Persons:
Biden, Donald J, Trump, “, ”, Mr
Locations:
South Korea, United States