Biden Dismisses Concerns Over Age at Philadelphia Rally as He Courts Key Voter Demographics
(AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
At a campaign rally in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, President Joe Biden aimed to solidify support in a crucial battleground state. Amid his energetic campaign efforts, Biden faced questions about his longevity in office given his age—he would be 86 at the end of a second term. In response to a query from a CBS reporter about whether he planned to complete a full second term, Biden dismissed concerns, focusing instead on his campaign’s momentum.
Having maintained a vigorous schedule, Biden has frequented several swing states, including Republican-leaning Florida and Texas, following his dynamic State of the Union address. His appearances have ranged from a high-profile fundraiser in Manhattan with former Presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama to a humorous stint at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner.
“Are you okay?” Biden said, reportedly pointing to his head. “Are you alright? You’re not hurt, are you?” “I can’t hear you. Can you approach?” The reporter asked. “Did you fall on your head or something?” Biden said in response.
Biden’s speech at Girard College marked his first 2024 campaign stop in Pennsylvania, where he launched an initiative with Vice President Kamala Harris to mobilize Black voters—a crucial demographic for the November election. This demographic’s support is vital as recent polls show former President Donald Trump making gains among Black and Hispanic voters.
Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin—part of the “Blue Wall” that has historically favored Democrats, with the notable exception of the 2016 election—are central to the Biden-Harris strategy. The campaign is reportedly pouring significant resources into these states, banking on them as safer bets than more contested battlegrounds like Arizona, Georgia, and Nevada.
Florida presents an unpredictable factor in the 2024 race, with its electoral votes swinging Republican in recent elections. This November, Florida voters will also decide on an abortion rights ballot initiative, a pivotal issue since the Supreme Court’s 2022 decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. Previous ballot initiatives in other states have favored maintaining abortion rights, even in traditionally conservative regions.
Meanwhile, Trump continues his own vigorous campaign, holding events in Democratic strongholds and heavily contested states. He recently appeared in the South Bronx with controversial figures and in New Jersey, where he vocally criticized his ongoing criminal trial, targeting both the presiding judge and the Manhattan District Attorney.
As the 2024 race heats up, both candidates are strategically mobilizing support across the nation, with Biden focusing on traditional Democratic strongholds and key voter groups, while Trump seeks to challenge unexpected territories.
