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Democrats Express Doubts Over Biden’s Age

President Joe Biden. Credit | Bloomberg

United States: In private discussions with legislative members, President Biden displayed symptoms of poor cognitive performance, raising concerns about his age and mental capacity in the run-up to November’s presidential election. 

Age and Mental Capacity Concerns

As the oldest president ever, Joe Biden (81), has encountered doubts about his capacity to carry out his duties from both Republican politicians and the general public. The Wall Street Journal, which conducted interviews with 45 politicians and administration officials regarding the president’s mental competence, reported that many Republicans and even some Democrats claimed the president displayed his advanced age in private meetings. 

Mixed Views from Officials

 Republicans made up the majority of those the source spoke with who had criticism for Biden’s performance; nevertheless, numerous Democrats claimed the president displayed his advanced age in a number of interactions. These individuals, who included members of the administration and other Democrats who did not voice reservations about the president’s handling of the discussions, either attended meetings with Biden or received briefings about them concurrently. 

President Joe Biden. Credit | Getty Images

President Joe Biden. Credit | Getty Images

Incidents of Concern

Six persons who were informed at the time of what House Speaker Mike Johnson remembered from Biden’s one-on-one conversation with him in February said that the president claimed that a recent policy change by his administration that puts several major energy projects in jeopardy was only a study. Johnson was worried that the president might have overlooked certain aspects of his own policy. 

Then-House Speaker Kevin McCarthy and two other people involved with the negotiations said that Biden’s manner and knowledge of the specifics seemed to shift day by day last year while he was negotiating with House Republicans to raise the debt ceiling. One day, he seemed prickly during impromptu and casual conversations with Republicans; he also slurred and appeared to rely on notes.  

Administration’s Defense 

“Congressional Republicans, foreign leaders and nonpartisan national-security experts have made clear in their own words that President Biden is a savvy and effective leader who has a deep record of legislative accomplishment,” Andrew Bates, a spokesman for the White House, stated “Now, in 2024, House Republicans are making false claims as a political tactic that flatly contradict previous statements made by themselves and their colleagues.” 

Administration sources and some attendees in Biden’s January discussion on Ukraine claim that the president made a strong case for aid. They also mentioned that using notes is standard procedure in these types of talks. Bates refuted allegations that Biden had made a mistake in his remarks regarding energy strategy during his February meeting with Johnson. 

Administration aides who were privy to the debt-ceiling talks from the previous year recalled that Biden was a capable intermediary who gave clear directives behind the scenes despite not being personally involved. According to the aides, McCarthy had privately commented to administration officials that he was pleased with Biden’s performance and that the former Speaker had implied in public that the president seemed intelligent. 

Administration officials cited numerous more incidents they said demonstrated the president’s intelligence and engagement, such as extended stays in the Situation Room in April during and following Iran’s missile assault on Israel and late-night phone calls with White House legislators. 

President Joe Biden. Credit | Shutterstock

President Joe Biden. Credit | Shutterstock

Contrasting Public Appearances 

The speeches and other public appearances of Biden and Trump have a significant influence on voters’ concerns regarding their mental health. 

Biden claimed to have been vice president during the COVID-19 outbreak, which began under the Trump administration, at a campaign event in Detroit last month. The coming day, Biden made a correction after first claiming that one of the American captures in Gaza was a guest at the White House event during a Rose Garden festivity recognizing Jewish American Heritage Month. 

Two of Biden’s Hispanic press registers, Alejandro Mayorkas of the Department of Homeland Security and Xavier Becerra of the Department of Health and Human Services, were confused in January. 

During a speech in January, Trump, meantime, confused Popular senator Nancy Pelosi of California with also-Democratic presidential opponent Nikki Haley. Regarding Russian President Vladimir Putin’s perception of U.S. leadership, Trump confused Biden with former President Obama during a March rally in Virginia. He closed his eyes during long stretches of his criminal hush money trial in New York last month. 

Concerns over Trump’s mental health following the Capitol riot on January 6, 2021, prompted some of his cabinet members to debate whether there should be a stronger check on his authority. At least one of them even discussed using the 25th Amendment to remove Trump from office. 

 

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Trump Hints at Potential Ban on the Abortion Pill in Future Policy 

Donald Trump. Credit | Getty Images

United States: Former President Donald Trump, speaking at his Mar-a-Lago resort on Thursday, said he might consider stopping access to mifepristone, a drug used in medication abortions.  

Possible FDA Action 

When asked by NBC News, Trump mentioned that there are options to change how these drugs are handled, and he didn’t rule out taking action like asking the Food and Drug Administration to remove mifepristone 

“There are many things on a humane basis that you can do outside of that,” Trump added, saying that “you also have to give a vote” to people about abortion. 

Shift in Position 

As reported by NBC news, Trump’s comments Thursday appeared to be a shift from his position in June, when the former president as said in the CNN debate: “I will not block it.” 

Donald Trump. Credit | Getty Images
Donald Trump. Credit | Getty Images

In the response to clarifying the questions that have been asked on the Trump’s position, Karoline Leavitt and the Trump’s campaign’s national press secretary told the NBC news about this. 

As the president Trump said that he wants everybody to vote and, on the issue, reiterating his long-held position of supporting rights and of states to. Make the decisions on abortion. 

Leavitt later clarified that, “As a President Trump had said the numerous times during the press conference and the questions being asked were difficult to hear and his position on the mifepristone remains the same and the Supreme Court unanimously decided on the issue and the matter which is settled. 

Policy and Future Announcements 

The idea of directing the FDA to revoke access to mifepristone is a rare core policy plan in the project 2025 also a 900-plus page document written by conservative groups and organized by the Heritage Foundation that lays out a governing plan for the next GOP presidential administration. 

Recently at a press conference on Thursday Trump was also asked  how he planned all these thing to vote in Florida’s ballot initiative and this fall to expand abortion the access and the former president a Florida resident didn’t say how would vote but hereby also teased a future announcement on that and added that abortion isn’t is a big factor anymore. 

Criticism from Opponents 

However, Harris-Walz campaign manager Julie Chavez Rodriguez also critized the Tumps’ comments in a particular statement this Thursday. 

“Already, women across the country are suffering because of the nightmare Donald Trump unleashed by overturning Roe v. Wade,” she said. 

 “That reality — women forced to the brink of death before receiving the care they need, doctors facing the threat of jail time for doing their jobs, and survivors of rape and incest made to flee their states for basic health care. 

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Kamala Harris Shows How Black Sororities Influence Politics 

Kamala Harris Shows How Black Sororities Influence Politics. Credit | Getty Images

United States:  On July 10, just before Joe Biden withdrew from the presidential race, Kamala Harris attended a veritably important event for Alpha Kappa Alpha(AKA) in the Harward University, a major Black sorority she joined in council. 

AKA, innovated in 1908 at Howard University, supports Black women and is one of the most influential sororities in America. Harris’s aunt was also a member in 1950. notorious women like Coretta Scott King, Toni Morrison, and Maya Angelou were part of AKA. In a 2021 Vogue cover, Harris was shown in AKA’s colours and wearing its hand plum choker. 

Harris’s Continued Involvement with Black Sororities 

As reported by The Guardian, since Biden stepped down and became the presumptive nominee, Harris has spoken at more sorority events, including one for Sigma Gamma Rho. There, she addressed comments from Donald Trump questioning her race. Harris feels a strong connection to these events, saying, “When I look out at everyone here, I see family.” 

Kamala Harris Shows How Black Sororities Influence Politics. Credit | Reuters
Kamala Harris Shows How Black Sororities Influence Politics. Credit | Reuters

The Influence of Black Greek Letter Organizations 

Black Greek letter organizations, like AKA, have a huge impact on politics. In 2020, when Biden chose Harris as his vice-presidential pick, AKA members raised a lot of money and helped get voters to the polls through creative campaigns. They used their networks to support voter registration and education, which was crucial for Biden’s election. These organizations, together known as the Divine Nine, have over four million members and significant funds. 

Harris’s Journey and Black Greek Organizations 

Lawrence Ross, an expert on the Divine Nine, explains that these organizations are more than just college groups. They continue to support members throughout their lives and focus on important issues like voter education. Harris’s involvement with AKA is a key part of her identity, like how Barack Obama’s connection with his church shaped his identity. Both Harris and Obama made choices that tied them to a distinctly American form of Black culture. 

The Role of Divine Nine in U.S. History 

Ross points out that the Divine Nine played a very vital and major role in the civil rights movement. Important figures are like Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks, and Jesse Jackson were members of these organizations. Harris’s sorority sisters remember her as ambitious and cool, balancing her serious approach to education with a relaxed side. 

Excitement for Harris’s Historic Role 

Harris’s sorority sisters are excited about her being a major political figure and see it as a historic moment. They are committed to supporting her and making sure her impact is recognized, especially in this important election. According to Ross, the Divine Nine’s involvement has been vital for advancing Black civil rights and continues to be influential today. 

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Harris Begins Campaign with Walz as Running Mate 

Tim Walz. Credit | Getty Images

United States: Vice President Kamala Harris is set to appear publicly with her new running mate, Tim Walz, at a rally in Philadelphia on Tuesday. This event will mark or will be identified as the start of a five-day campaign tour across seven key battleground states. 

Tim Walz’s Political Background 

As reported by the telegraph, Tim Walz, who has been chosen as Harris’s running mate, has a notable political history. Elected to a Republican-leaning district in 2006, Walz served nearly 12 years before becoming governor of Minnesota. As governor, he advocated for progressive policies including free school meals, climate change action, and LGBT rights. 

Selection Over Josh Shapiro 

Walz was chosen for the vice-presidential spot over Josh Shapiro, the governor of Pennsylvania. Some Democrats were concerned that Shapiro’s strong pro-Israel stance might be problematic for the campaign

Vice President Kamala Harris. Credit | Getty Images
Vice President Kamala Harris. Credit | Getty Images

Walz’s Reaction to the Selection 

Tim Walz described his new role as “the honour of a lifetime” in a post on X. He expressed his excitement to join Kamala Harris in the campaign. 

Democrats Highlight Walz’s Gun Ownership 

Democrats have emphasized or focused on that Walz is a “gun holder” and a “supporter of the Second Amendment of the constitution.” According to a press release, Walz is an avid pheasant hunter who has backed universal background checks for gun purchases as governor. He believes that more needs to be done to address gun violence

Poll Shows Many Unfamiliar with Walz 

A recent NPR/PBS/Marist polls shows that most Americans do not know Tim Walz well or they don’t have any specific idea about him. The survey, conducted from August 1-4, found that 71% of U.S. adults had never heard of Walz or were unsure about him. Hereby almost 17% viewed him favourably or can say in the favour, while 12% had an unfavourable opinion. 

Harris Praises Walz’s Leadership 

Kamala Harris has praised Walz’s “principled leadership” and his proven track record in Minnesota. In a message to supporters, Harris expressed confidence that Walz will bring strong leadership to their campaign and to the vice presidency. She also asked for immediate support to help defeat Donald Trump and JD Vance, emphasizing how much their backing means to both her and Walz. 

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