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- By Brandon Drenon
- BBC Information
President Joe Biden gave a vigorous State of the Union handle on Thursday, working to counter a story haunting his re-election bid – that he is too previous for the job.
US political pundits and analysts referred to as his roughly 60-minute speech “fiery” and “forceful”.
Mr Biden, 81, is the oldest president to carry workplace, and opinion polls typically present his age is on the minds of American voters.
We requested members of our US voter panel, a lot of who had supported Biden however expressed considerations about his age, if his speech had affected how they see him.
Picture supply, Aylon Gipson
Aylon Gipson, Alabama, Democrat
A 21-year-old economics pupil at Morehouse School, an traditionally black college, Aylon voted for the primary time within the final election.
I’ve considerations about his age. He is in regards to the age of my grandmother, and I understand how my grandmother is.
However I feel we noticed a fiery speech from him yesterday, and it made me extra assured. He confirmed us that he can nonetheless be fast on his ft. He delivered some blows again to Republican hecklers that had been wonderful.
I will positively be voting for Joe Biden, regardless that he has points and issues with age.
Biden adopted by means of on delivering a black girl to the Supreme Courtroom. He has fought in opposition to shedding protections with the overturning of Roe v Wade. He is finished his greatest to cancel pupil mortgage debt.
Picture supply, Darlene Buhler
Darlene Buhler, South Dakota, Republican
Darlene, 65, voted for Donald Trump in 2020 and hasn’t been persuaded to vote in another way this time round.
“Fiery” is a well mannered phrase to say that he was rambling. He simply appeared to be mad, and he got here off as a grumpy previous man.
To me, the expectations and the bar had been set too low. It was like, “let’s simply hope he will get by means of this and never stumble off the stage”. He was extra coherent than I’ve heard him up to now.
And so the query is, do I feel he can deal with 4 extra years? I do not suppose so. It is a disgrace that we do not have an age restrict.
If I’ve to decide on between him and Donald Trump, I will select Trump, the lesser of two evils. I do not really feel like President Biden or the Democratic celebration have finished sufficient for black individuals. They count on to routinely obtain our vote. They need to earn it.
Picture supply, Amy Kalokerinos
Amy Kalokerinos, New York, Impartial
Amy, 42, has voted each Democrat and Republican in her lifetime.
I feel it is the most effective speech President Biden has ever given in his complete profession. Earlier than yesterday, I did have doubts. However I don’t query his aptitude after final night time’s speech.
Him pounding on the rostrum, him talking extra sternly and yelling – that is all of the stuff that Trump does that the American inhabitants responds to. He is presenting in another way, and I feel it is resonating.
I’m an ageist, proper or improper. And I do suppose each candidates are too previous.
I voted for Biden in 2020 and can vote for anybody however Trump in November. Overturning Roe v Wade was it for me.
Picture supply, Michelle Dunkley
Michelle Dunkley, New Jersey, Democrat
Michelle, 60, voted Democrat within the final presidential election. She’s not thrilled by both candidate’s age, however will vote for Biden once more.
The State of the Union handle felt like extra of a marketing campaign speech, designed to advertise his psychological acuity.
He diplomatically chided his predecessor for his language and actions which have deepened the political divisions on this nation.
As a lot as I like Biden, I imagine he’s too previous to proceed to guide the nation. But when Trump wins he will probably be as previous throughout his time period.
This nation wants youthful individuals to guide.
Karen Kemp, Connecticut, Democrat
Karen, 48, voted for Joe Biden in 2020. She was anxious about how he would carry out on the podium.
I had considerations that Joe Biden wouldn’t be capable to fight the pervasive perceptions that too typically observe the aged, issues like they serve no use to society.
I believed he would possibly stutter and lose his practice of thought. However he confirmed vitality and expertise.
His State of the Union speech boiled down the selection Individuals will face in November and drew clear distinctions between a celebration and man who needs good issues for this nation and a former president who holds a starkly totally different, largely unfavourable view.
I need not love my president, however I do want to not really feel ashamed of who they’re.