In a recent series of thought-provoking posts on social media, David Axelrod, a prominent figure and former adviser to President Barack Obama, has weighed in on a discussion among Democrats regarding President Joe Biden’s potential bid for a second term in 2024. 

Axelrod’s analysis suggests that the idea of Biden running for reelection has become a topic of considerable debate within political circles. 

He points out, “It’s very late to change horses; a lot will happen in the next year that no one can predict & Biden’s team says his resolve to run is firm. He’s defied [conventional wisdom] before, but this will send tremors of doubt through the party – not ‘bed-wetting,’ but legitimate concern.”

One of the primary concerns surrounding Biden’s potential second-term bid is his age. As Axelrod states, “The greatest concern is that his biggest liability is the one thing he can’t change. Among all the unpredictables, there is one thing that is sure: the age arrow only points in one direction.” 

At 80 years old, Biden is already the oldest person to have held the office. If re-elected, he would be 86 at the end of his second term. These numbers raise questions about his ability to lead effectively, given instances of him losing his train of thought and rambling while speaking and multiple public incidents where he has tripped or fallen.

Axelrod’s insights come in response to The New York Times’ publication of poll results that show former President Donald Trump leading Biden in five out of six key battleground states.

Despite their shared history and Axelrod’s past support for Biden, he has consistently voiced concerns about the potential political liabilities associated with the president’s age. 

Given the level of threat Trump poses to the president’s reelection efforts, Axelrod raises the stakes of miscalculation, stating, “The [president] is justly proud of his accomplishments. Trump is a dangerous, unhinged demagogue whose brazen disdain for the rules, norms, laws, and institutions of democracy should be disqualifying. But the stakes of miscalculation here are too dramatic to ignore.”

The decision to run for a second term ultimately rests with Biden himself. As Axelrod succinctly puts it, “Only [Biden] can make this decision. If he continues to run, he will be the nominee of the Democratic Party. What he needs to decide is whether that is wise; whether it’s in HIS best interest or the country’s?”