Elie Mystal: Biden’s age doesn't make 'would-be dictator' Trump any less 'intellectually unfit'

21 February 2024

When special counsel Robert Hur delivered his final report on the investigation of classified government documents found in Joe Biden's Delaware home, he concluded that no criminal charges were warranted — and described the 81-year-old U.S. president as an "elderly man with a poor memory."

That description has been followed by a lot of discussion of Biden's age. But progressive legal expert Elie Mystal, in an article published by The Nation on February 21, makes it clear that he is sick to death of hearing how "old" Biden is — especially in light of the fact that 2024 GOP presidential frontrunner Donald Trump is 77.

"I reject the notion that Biden's age is or should be a legitimate factor in the election," Mystal argues, "and I am suspicious of the incessant, nattering attempts by the media class to make age an ongoing narrative. I come to this conclusion by way of two objective facts: Donald Trump is also very old, and Biden has a capable replacement."

The "capable replacement" that Mystal is referring to is, of course, Vice President Kamala Harris — who, he emphasizes, is "ready and capable of stepping in should Biden falter."

Mystal notes that although both Trump and Biden are old, "would-be dictator" Trump is the one who — unlike Biden — is "intellectually unfit" and is facing "91 felony charges."

"As I am not blinded by whiteness, nor particularly impressed with testicles or deep, masculine chortles, I'm pretty comfortable with the Democratic presidential ticket heading into the November election," Mystal writes. "Biden will probably be fine and healthy. If not, the VP is ready to fulfill her constitutional duties."

Read Elie Mystal's full article for The Nation at this link.

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