When asked during a segment with Fox News anchor Sean Hannity\u2002whether any of them think President Biden is \u201ccognitively strong enough\u201d for the top spot, it appeared no House GOP members present for the segment raised their hands.
During a live interview with several GOP leaders and an audience of Republican lawmakers Wednesday night, Hannity said: \u201cRaise your hand high if you think Joe Biden\u2002is cognitively strong enough to be our president. Is there anybody?\u201d
No lawmaker raised their hand, while one person said, \u201cwrong room.\u201d
The response came shortly after Fox News showed an advertisement from the Republican National Committee showing Biden appearing to stumble over his words.
Asked about the video, and if Biden is cognitively and mentally \u201cstrong enough\u201d to be president, newly elected Speaker Mike Johnson\u2002(R-La.) told Hannity: \u201cI think every American feels the same way we do. You heard gasps in the room; it\u2019s painful for us to watch. I think it\u2019s very dangerous.\u201d
\u201cThis is a dangerous time on the world stage \u2014 we have to project strength, and projecting weakness invites the wolves, and so we know that, and that\u2019s why it\u2019s so difficult for us to watch that,\u201d he continued.
Republicans have taken aim at Biden\u2019s age, as well as physical and mental competency since his 2020 campaign. The criticism has continued throughout his time in the White House and was further fueled after Biden announced he would seek a second term.
Biden, 80, is the oldest U.S. president. If reelected in 2024, he would be 86 at the end of his second term.
House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-Minn.) echoed this sentiment, comparing Biden to professional athletes who \u201cstick around a little too long.\u201d
\u201cBut like every professional athlete \u2026 sometimes they stick around the zones,\u201d Emmer said. \u201cSometimes they stick around a little too long; they stick around after they\u2019ve lost a little speed.\u201d
Members of Biden\u2019s own party have also expressed worries over his age and ability to carry out a full second term. Multiple polls in recent months have shown an uptick in Democrats\u2019 concerns over the president\u2019s physical and mental competence
The president has argued that while it is fair for voters to discuss his age, they should judge him based on his ability to perform the job.<\/p>\n\n\n\n