Harvard-Harris finds that 47 percent of Americans believe that Joe Biden is “mentally fit to serve as President of the United States,” with 53 percent having “doubts about his fitness for office.” Among independents, those numbers are 39-61. It also finds that 62 percent of Americans believe that Joe Biden is “showing he is too old to be President,” with 38 percent believing otherwise. Among independents, those numbers are 72-28.
This is the sort of problem from which a president cannot recover. The economy can change. Foreign policy can shift. Perceptions of the opposing party can deteriorate. But once people think you’re old and mentally unfit, you’re toast.