President Joe Biden is widely expected to officially jump into the 2024 fray within the coming weeks, but a mounting string of liabilities threatens to muffle his potential reelection bid.
Despite enjoying considerable advantages as an incumbent, Biden faces a public that is lukewarm about his performance in office and uncertainty over whom his political rival will be — factors that could further amplify his political vulnerabilities.
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Age
At 80-years-old, Biden is already the oldest president of in the country’s history. He would be 82 at the start of a hypothetical second term in office and 86 by the end of it. Polls and focus groups have pegged unease among general voters about Biden’s age already, but if he were to hit the reelection trail, they will have to weigh that at the ballot box.
“You think I don’t know how f***king old I am,” Biden exclaimed to his allies at one point, per Politico.
Former President Jimmy Carter, 98, previously said he did not believe he could handle the strenuous duties of the presidency during his 80s. Whispers of consternation about Biden’s age are further compounded by questions about his health. Biden’s most recently disclosed physical from November, 2021, detailed an irregular heartbeat, spinal arthritis, high cholesterol, and other ailments.
His administration has been slow-moving to release more recent data. Despite grumblings about his age, voters looked past it last time, but that doesn’t guarantee they will do the same as he nears his mid-80s.
Kamala Harris
Amid questions about his age, Biden’s No. 2 is also facing scrutiny over her performance in office. Throughout his presidency, Harris has been tasked with spearheading the administration’s response to the crisis at the border. She has also become a favorite political punching bag for Republicans.
Like Biden, she has also made a few verbal flubs and mishaps, such as praising the United States’s strong alliance with the “Republic of North Korea” last year. Amid these concerns, a growing chorus of Democrats is growing uneasy over the prospect of her being on the ticket again in 2024, according to the New York Times.
In public, Biden and the White House have routinely rallied to her defense. But Harris’s lackluster ratings from the general public could prove to be a liability.
Hunter Biden
Perhaps the greatest source of fodder for Republican critics has been Biden’s son Hunter, who is currently staring down an investigation from federal prosecutors over potential tax fraud and lying on a form for a firearm purchase. House Republicans, particularly Oversight Committee Chair James Comer (R-KY) are turning up the heat on the first son and appear likely to pour through his overseas financial dealings.
Revelations from Hunter’s laptop have revealed questions about his business practices and adherence to campaign finance laws. But it is unclear what other potential scandals could be looming around him or whether federal prosecutors will move to bring charges against him.
Classified documents
Biden’s administration was rocked by revelations of files marked classified discovered at various locations stemming largely from his vice presidency days. His predecessor and potential 2024 foe, former President Donald Trump, is mired in similar controversy.
Republicans, led by Comer and House Judiciary Chair Jim Jordan (R-OH) are scrutinizing his handling of the sensitive documents — an ordeal that has turned into a steady drip of revelations. His team has sought to draw a contrast with Trump by carefully working with officials at the Justice Department to ensure proper compliance with federal authorities.
Special Counsel Robert Hur has been appointed to oversee an investigation into the matter.
Economy
Economic plights did not prove to be the midterm boon Republicans expected in the 2022 cycle. Since then, economic conditions appear to have improved. Inflation appears to be waning, unemployment shattered expectations and plunged to the lowest levels since the late 1960s, and energy prices have shown signs of abating as well.
Yet, a potential global economic downturn and a Federal Reserve that appears poised to jack up interest rates could dampen the economic outlook closer to the 2024 election. Additionally, if improvements on the inflation and energy fronts subside, the economy could become more of a vulnerability. Many economists have been puzzled by current conditions as GDP numbers soften, while unemployment continues to tick down alongside inflation.
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Ultimately, Biden’s fortunes could largely hinge upon whom Republicans select as their standard bearer. Biden already bested Trump in 2020 and Democratic strategists have been analyzing Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis to pinpoint potential weaknesses should he win the GOP nod. Polling has pegged a tight race regardless of whether the GOP nominee is Trump or DeSantis.
In the face of his weakness, Biden still remains the favorite to win the presidency in 2024 in the political betting markets, according to Odds Checker.
