WSJ: Biden’s Approval Ratings on the Decline | Newsmax.com

President Joe Biden’s age and mental fitness are becoming a concern for his effectiveness, as a new report highlights his behavior in private.

The Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday that Biden’s grasp on issues, history, and policy insights is deteriorating, according to 45 sources.

Lawmakers who have engaged in negotiations with him, including on Ukraine funding and policy changes, noted a decline in Biden’s once impressive negotiating skills over time.

Sources within the White House dismissed the report as politically motivated.

“Congressional Republicans, foreign leaders and nonpartisan national-security experts have praised President Biden’s leadership abilities and his legislative accomplishments,” said White House spokesman Andrew Bates. “House Republicans are now using false claims as a political tactic in 2024.”

Speculation about Biden’s fitness, who is 81, arises as voters weigh in on whether his age should disqualify him from serving another term.

Biden and former President Donald Trump, who is younger than Biden, are set to face off in the first presidential debate of 2024, sparking comparisons.

The report detailed reactions from politicians involved in negotiations for Ukraine funding in January, a conversation with House Speaker Mike Johnson in February about energy policy, and debt ceiling negotiations in May 2023 with then-House Speaker Kevin McCarthy.

In the Ukraine meeting, participants noted Biden’s slow pace in greeting leaders and his use of notes for discussing the need for funding, which some found strange as the topic was already agreed upon.

Biden also tended to defer to others when questioned directly, leaving some feeling uneasy during the meeting.

While some defended Biden, others expressed concerns about his ability to lead effectively.

In conclusion, the report raised questions about Biden’s performance behind closed doors, with mixed opinions from those who have interacted with him directly.