“Perceptions,” by Gerry Warner

Op-Ed Commentary

So, they say Joe Biden is too old to be president.

It’s funny few say the same thing about Donald Trump who’s almost 80 himself and like Biden showing signs of dementia. And it’s true that Biden occasionally mixes up his dates and stumbles a bit like many of us do when we become seniors. That’s a given. But what’s really important here? Chronological age or wisdom?

In that respect, Biden certainly towers over Trump who’s providing more evidence almost daily that the elevator is no longer making it to the top.

A little over a week ago at a rally in Conway, South Carolina, Trump told a cheering MAGA crowd if he became president again, he would give Russian dictator Vladimir Putin what amounted to a free pass to attack NATO members who are behind in their dues. “In fact, I would encourage them (the Russians) to do whatever the hell they want.”

No kidding. No wonder Putin’s bellicose war talk shocked leaders around the world.

Ben Hodges, former commander of the U.S. Army in Europe, told NBC News that it was “disgusting and despicable” for a former American president, to say something so dangerous for world security, White House spokesperson Andrew Bates said. Trump’s comments were “unhinged.”

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier said Trump’s comments were “irresponsible” and even play into Russia’s hands.

US President Joe Biden called Trump’s comments “appalling and dangerous.”

But when asked about Trump’s threat, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau refused to answer only saying Americans have a “really important choice to make” in the coming election despite the fact Canada is one of the NATO members behind in its NATO dues. How pathetic!

But to me the most critical aspect of the nervous comments above is they are being said in the context of an American election – maybe the most crucial ever – and the mental health of both candidates is being questioned.

Think about it for a moment. On the one hand you have a presidential candidate being called “unhinged” by many and the other being criticized for memory lapses that all of us experience as we age.

Which of these health issues has the most potential for being dangerous? A candidate who temporarily forgets the age of his son Beau, who died of cancer nine years ago. Or would it be a bully of a candidate who is criticized for his authoritarian tendencies, a compulsive liar, a convicted rapist, a business fraudster accused of leading an insurrection against the government and being palsy with Vladimir Putin, a modern-day Hitler.

If I was an American, I don’t think I’d have much trouble figuring out who to vote for in the November election. It would be the one with more than 50 years of political experience and the one who’s sometimes forgetful but is manifestly sane.

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