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He has described himself as a “transitional figure” but has evasively responded to direct questions about whether he will run for re-election in 2024.
The newly elected president of the United States, Joe Biden, turned 78 on Friday, which already makes him the oldest president in the country through the newspapers. If Biden runs for re-election in 2024 and wins, he will theoretically not resign until January 20, 2029, then as an 86-year-old man.
Therefore, Norwegian experts are divided in their opinion on the likelihood that Biden can and will run for reelection in 2024.
Biden’s unsure
US expert Hilmar Mjelde, a researcher at the Norce Research Center, “considers it quite likely” that Biden will seek re-election in 2024, citing two specific reasons.
– First, in principle, all presidents want to be reelected, because reelection is seen as an achievement that gives a better legacy. Second, in 2024 there will be a great staff around Biden who are keen on him taking another term. These will be replaced if Kamala Harris takes over, Mjelde tells Dagbladet.
Strike back against Trump
Anders Romarheim, an American expert and researcher at the Department of Defense Studies (IFS), which is part of the Norwegian Defense College (FHS), is more uncertain.
– That Biden at 82 is anything more than a one-term president seems so unlikely as of today, Romarheim tells Dagbladet.
But make reservations.
– If Biden is as vital in four years as he is now, and receives super medical follow-up for the next four years, then nothing can be ruled out. In that case, he will have broken the record for the oldest presidential candidate twice in a row, but it is statistically unlikely and unnatural to think that will happen.
This can decide
Romarheim tells a story about how former President Bill Clinton, to appear more distinguished and mature for the presidential office, allegedly dyed his hair gray.
– But those who do not have gray and white hair before becoming president, they get it in four years in office. This job is time consuming, and both Biden and the Democratic Party need to think about 2024 if Biden will be able to sit until age 86. The problem is that such assessments cannot be advanced, says the American expert.
– As if I was in jail
Although Mjelde describes Biden as likely to seek re-election in 2024, he believes it is not a fact.
– What should Biden use as a base when making that decision?
– Health, ambition, re-election chances, family point of view and more will influence, says Mjelde.
He adds:
– There is a point here where many things can happen in the next few years that will be important for this decision. For example, Trump’s inauguration prompted 2012 vice presidential candidate Paul Ryan to postpone his presidential ambitions.
– No age limit
But even if Biden were ready to run for re-election, would American voters be ready to vote for an 82-year-old man?
– Yes, if things are going well in the USA and Biden seems to be working normally, answers the American expert Mjelde.
As an example, he cites former Senator Strom Thurmond, who served in the Senate until he was 100. Mjelde is also targeting France.
Georges Clemenceau was 76 years old when he became French Prime Minister for the second time during World War I. There is no natural upper age limit for a head of state, says Mjelde.
Can hurt you
Biden’s elusive response and his advanced age are the reason this has become an issue, even before he has been installed as president. The mixed signals sent by the Biden camp have also sparked more, not less, speculation.
When asked by ABC News in August this year if the idea of sitting for two full periods was something he spent time on, Biden replied, “Absolutely!” According to NTB.
A few months earlier, during a meeting with major contributors to the campaign, he described himself as a transitional figure, a choice of words that sparked speculation and caused many to raise their eyebrows.
– The Most Dangerous TV Minutes in US History
A few days after the victory over Trump was final, Biden’s sister Valerie, who has been a close aide to her brother, said she was confident that he would seek re-election.
– Why isn’t Biden answering questions about reelection with a clear yes or no?
– If Biden, before taking office, should have announced that he will only sit for a period, he will appear defensive and weaken his power base, and he needs him to rule the country through a turbulent takeover, he responds. IFS Romarheim researcher.
