President Joe Biden is expected to announce his bid for a second term on Tuesday, according to multiple US media reports, although neither the White House nor the Democratic Party have confirmed this. The announcement is expected to come in the form of a video address. Biden has previously teased his potential candidacy, despite lukewarm polls and concerns about his age, as he would be 82 at the start of his second term and 86 when he left office. Biden is already the oldest person ever to hold the position of President.
Biden’s Tuesday schedule includes an address on the economy, where he will discuss his investing in America agenda, and a visit to the Korean War Memorial with South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol to kick off a state visit. While Biden has an advantage as the incumbent and is presiding over a post-pandemic economic revival, he faces concerns about his age and fitness for another grueling four years in office.
An NBC News poll released over the weekend found that 70 percent of Americans, including 51 percent of Democrats, believe he should not run for a second term, with concerns over his age cited by 48 percent as the main reason. However, Biden has responded to these concerns by pointing to his record of delivering significant investment bills, leading a coalition to support Ukraine against Russian invasion, and other achievements during his first term.
Overall, while Biden’s candidacy has yet to be confirmed, Tuesday’s announcement and subsequent campaign could be historic as he pushes age boundaries for one of the planet’s most stressful jobs.
