On Tuesday, Joe Biden, the oldest U.S. president, announced on Tuesday that he intends to run for a second term in the 2024 presidential election. In a slickly produced video released by his new campaign team, Biden declared his duty to defend American democracy, emphasizing the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol by supporters of former President Donald Trump.
Biden appealed to Americans to join him in “finishing the job” of protecting democracy from Republican threats, including “MAGA extremists.” He pledged to fight against efforts to limit women’s healthcare, cut Social Security, and ban books.
The president’s age makes his re-election bid a historic and risky gamble for the Democratic Party. Biden will be 86 by the end of a prospective second term, almost a decade higher than the average U.S. male’s life expectancy. However, doctors declared Biden “fit for duty” after an examination in February. The White House maintains that his record shows he is mentally sharp enough for the rigours of the job.
Despite concerns about his age and approval ratings that are just 39%, Biden’s announcement signals his determination to continue his administration’s work of tackling the COVID-19 pandemic, investing in infrastructure and creating jobs. Biden’s running mate, Vice President Kamala Harris, will join him in his 2024 quest.