The Economist urges 'befuddled old man' Biden to withdraw

Another influential newspaper is calling on President Biden to withdraw from the 2024 presidential election.

The Economist, in an editorial published Thursday, argues that Biden's performance in the CNN Presidential Debate was "awful," but "the cover-up has been worse." 

"It was agony to watch a befuddled old man struggling to recall words and facts. His inability to land an argument against a weak opponent was dispiriting. But the operation by his campaign to deny what tens of millions of Americans saw with their own eyes is more toxic than either, because its dishonesty provokes contempt," the editorial reads.

Noting Biden's weak polling against former President Trump in the days since the debate, The Economist urges Democrats to continue to call on Biden to step aside.

"Democrats argue, rightly, that Mr Trump is unfit to be president. But the debate and its aftermath have proved Mr Biden unfit, too. First, because of his mental decline. Mr Biden can still appear dynamic during short, scripted appearances. But you cannot run a superpower by autocue. And you cannot put an international crisis on hold because the president is having a bad night. Should someone who cannot finish a sentence about Medicare be trusted with the nuclear codes?

"Mr Biden is blameless for his failing powers, but not for a second disqualification, which is his insistence, abetted by his family, senior staff and Democratic elites, that he is still up to the world’s toughest job. Mr Biden’s claim that this election is between right and wrong is ruined by the fact that the existence of his campaign now depends on a lie."

The paper says Democrats, who "sneer" at Republicans for failing to stand up to Trump should "look in the mirror" when it comes to Biden. 

"Democrats might say that their tactics are just politics. Their ugly means are justified by their honourable ends of saving American democracy from the predations of Mr Trump. That defence does America no favours. The tactic of covering up your own flaws by demonising your opponent has long marred American politics, but using the threat of Mr Trump as a 'dictator' to offset Mr Biden’s evident infirmity is a form of blackmail. As the head of state, America’s president embodies the virtues of the republic. The more he is seen as a stubborn old man who leaves the real work to his courtiers, the more he will undermine Americans’ faith in their system of government. Representing America abroad, Mr Biden will project decrepitude—to the delight of China and Russia and the dismay of America’s allies."

The editorial concludes by observing that a fresh candidate would lack Biden's weaknesses to Trump on inflation, immigration and the purported "witch hunt" that led to Trump's prosecution.