OPINION: This article may contain commentary which reflects the author's opinion.
President Joe Biden has been caught up in another faux pas of sorts as he was meeting with the leaders of Japan and South Korea.
Biden asked that members of the media be escorted from the room and then “smirked” while ignoring questions as handlers moved the press out, according to an X post by the Republican National Committee’s research division.
“Politely ask the press to leave,” the president said to a person off-camera before staring off blankly, then grinning, as the White House recording of the event abruptly stopped.
BIDEN: "We're gonna politely ask the press to leave…"
He then ignores questions and smirks as his handlers force them out of the room. pic.twitter.com/6gYIXB5dC8
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) August 18, 2023
President Yoon Suk Yeol of the Republic of Korea and Prime Minister Kishida Fumio of Japan were in discussions with the president regarding Pacific security matters at Camp David on Friday, as reported by The Associated Press. As the televised session concluded, the president gestured for the press to depart.
“The three countries are looking to create a trilateral relationship with growing security concerns about China’s activities in the area. However, the administration was still discussing whether to mention China at all during the summit after both Beijing and North Korea objected strongly to the meeting,” The Daily Caller reported.
Biden has repeatedly come under scrutiny, even from members of his own party, for his increasingly obvious mental status issues.
Ahead of what thus far appears to be a rematch of their 2020 contest, a Harvard Harris Poll late last month found that former President Donald Trump continues to dominate the field of Republican candidates while Biden suffers from a growing perception that he is no longer mentally fit to serve as commander-in-chief.
The poll, taken earlier in July, found that just 32 percent of respondents believe that Biden is mentally fit to serve as President, while 68 percent expressed doubts about his mental acuity.
In a Democratic contest, Biden is the favored candidate. However, if Biden decides not to run, Vice President Kamala Harris emerges as the leading contender. In the scenario where Biden intends to run, RFK Jr. follows closely behind with 16 percent. On the other hand, if Biden opts not to run, Harris takes a commanding lead at 44 percent, effectively doubling RFK’s support at 22 percent.
The results of the poll indicate that the findings could potentially have an impact on the 2024 Presidential Election. Despite Biden’s overall approval rating standing around 40 percent, the question of his mental fitness might play a decisive role for undecided voters. Poll analysts said that Democrats must proactively address these concerns if they wish to secure a second term for Biden.
🇺🇲 2024 Presidential Election Poll
(R) Trump: 45% (+5)
(D) Biden: 40%(R) Trump: 47% (+9)
(D) Harris: 38%
——
(R) DeSantis: 41% (+1)
(D) Biden: 40%(R) DeSantis: 41% (+2)
(D) Harris: 39%Harvard/Harris | 07/19-20 | 2,068 RV https://t.co/BbGbKXin6b pic.twitter.com/ezGCiHU5Bd
— InteractivePolls (@IAPolls2022) July 21, 2023
Meanwhile, the 2024 Republican primary seems to lack significant competition. Trump remains the clear frontrunner, despite a slight decline in support.
Although Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis currently maintains the second position, he is steadily losing momentum to business entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy. A significant 54 percent of the GOP believes that Trump will ultimately secure the nomination. However, if Trump does not become the nominee, DeSantis takes the lead with 29 percent, followed by Ramaswamy at 19 percent, and former Vice President Mike Pence at 13 percent.
In hypothetical matchups, Trump maintains a five-point lead over Biden and a nine-point lead over Harris. In direct matchups, DeSantis essentially ties both Biden and Harris, the survey found.
But, six out of ten individuals believe that Biden should not seek a second term, while almost six out of ten feel the same way about Trump.
Voters from diverse political backgrounds have shown their openness to considering a moderate independent candidate if a Biden-Trump rematch were to take place. A significant majority — 70 percent — of voters expressed the belief that the country needs “another choice” beyond the options of Biden and Trump.
Additionally, just under half of voters said that their personal financial situation is getting worse under Biden.
