# Biden wins. What are the chances he'll step aside in 2024? **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [October 29, 2020, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-wins-what-are-the-chances-hell-step-aside-in-2024/924166 "2020-10-29T01:07:38Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Malden\_Capell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/malden_capell/32/5274_2.png) [@Malden\_Capell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malden_Capell)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2020, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-wins-what-are-the-chances-hell-step-aside-in-2024/924166/1 "2020-10-29T01:07:38Z")
Biden is 77. He will be the oldest POTUS on election in American history. in 2024 he’d be 81! I imagine it’s feasible he’d stand aside for someone else - Harris perhaps? ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2020, 1:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-wins-what-are-the-chances-hell-step-aside-in-2024/924166/2 "2020-10-29T01:11:55Z")
Yep. Biden is there to be a one-term “transition president” to bridge the path to Kamala. Biden’s job is to stabilize America after what Trump did, then hand over the reins. ---
**Author:** ![PhillyGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ed655f/32.png) [@PhillyGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhillyGuy)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2020, 1:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-wins-what-are-the-chances-hell-step-aside-in-2024/924166/3 "2020-10-29T01:24:47Z")
Raúl Castro is 89. You don’t get to be a President unless you like power. The chances of Biden not running again are less than many think. This is no criticism of Joe, just an observation on human nature. ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2020, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-wins-what-are-the-chances-hell-step-aside-in-2024/924166/4 "2020-10-29T01:41:24Z")
I’m not one to be ageist, but the truth is that Biden is already showing minor signs of mental decline – nothing concerning, just a tendency to forget names or misspeak on occasion. He may have to step aside if (but only if) this becomes significantly more pronounced. If that’s the plan I would expect Harris to have a higher than normal profile during a Biden presidency in order to maximize the incumbency factor in 2024. OTOH, all a president really needs is integrity, good judgment, the best interests of all Americans, and competent advisors. He doesn’t have to be an athlete or the nation’s sharpest wit. ---
**Author:** ![Si\_Amigo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/si_amigo/32/2877_2.png) [@Si\_Amigo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Si_Amigo)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2020, 2:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-wins-what-are-the-chances-hell-step-aside-in-2024/924166/5 "2020-10-29T02:05:15Z")
Harris 2024! ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2020, 2:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-wins-what-are-the-chances-hell-step-aside-in-2024/924166/6 "2020-10-29T02:08:28Z")
It’s really impossible to form a realistic opinion at this time. Who can say how Biden’s health will hold up over the next four years? I’m sure Biden is interested in a second term if he feels he can do it. ---
**Author:** ![flurb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/51bf81/32.png) [@flurb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flurb)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2020, 2:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-wins-what-are-the-chances-hell-step-aside-in-2024/924166/7 "2020-10-29T02:10:02Z")
Back during the primaries he flirted with [announcing that he would only serve one term](https://www.politico.com/news/2019/12/11/biden-single-term-082129) if elected. Ultimately he obviously decided not to do so – wisely so. He would have been a lame duck the minute he walked into the White House and every Democrat with any Presidential ambition would immediately being positioning themselves with 2024 in mind, rather than trying to rally behind his agenda. ---
**Author:** ![dtilque](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d6d6ee/32.png) [@dtilque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dtilque)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2020, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-wins-what-are-the-chances-hell-step-aside-in-2024/924166/8 "2020-10-29T02:20:23Z")
> [@wolfpup](#): > > I’m not one to be ageist, but the truth is that Biden is already showing minor signs of mental decline – nothing concerning, just a tendency to forget names or misspeak on occasion. As I understand it, he’s always been a stutterer. Are you sure what you’re seeing is not at least partly that? And lots of people are bad at remembering names. It’s quite common. ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2020, 2:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-wins-what-are-the-chances-hell-step-aside-in-2024/924166/9 "2020-10-29T02:28:36Z")
> [@PhillyGuy](#): > > You don’t get to be a President unless you like power. The chances of Biden not running again are less than many think. But we have had several presidents who have declined to run again eevn when they could have. I don’t know that he would have run in 2020 if there had been another candidate who had a clear good chance of beating Trump. I think he’d only run again in 2024 if he thought he needed to—i.e. there wasn’t another candidate waiting in the wings who could be trusted to take over. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2020, 11:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-wins-what-are-the-chances-hell-step-aside-in-2024/924166/10 "2020-10-29T11:46:46Z")
Part of the excitement over Biden/Harris is the fact that Kamala Harris is the perfect vice presidential choice. Had she won the nomination I think her chances against Trump would not be as good as Biden’s, but in four years I think the nation will be able to accept her, should Biden choose to step aside. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2020, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-wins-what-are-the-chances-hell-step-aside-in-2024/924166/11 "2020-10-29T18:03:03Z")
But also, do note- Medicine and health care gets better and better and we now know many things to do and not to do to live longer- like not smoke. Biden is clearly more healthy that trump, even tho trump is a bit younger. (I note that few mention that trump is quite old and sanders even older). So, just being the oldest may not mean anything. And if trump loses, he may try a comeback tour. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2020, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-wins-what-are-the-chances-hell-step-aside-in-2024/924166/12 "2020-10-29T18:03:24Z")
I doubt that. Cite? ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2020, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-wins-what-are-the-chances-hell-step-aside-in-2024/924166/13 "2020-10-29T18:12:20Z")
Mind you, yes, the advantage of having a much younger Veep in case something does happen to Joe is a nice thing. But I doubt there is a plan. ---
**Author:** ![PastTense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pasttense/32/14550_2.png) [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2020, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-wins-what-are-the-chances-hell-step-aside-in-2024/924166/14 "2020-10-29T18:57:36Z")
I expect Biden will run again unless his health goes bad. And at his age I expect there is about a 25% chance his health going bad will happen. Harris is far from a perfect candidate: the fact that she is both a woman and minority group member will generate millions of no votes. ---
**Author:** ![k9bfriender](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k9bfriender/32/3283_2.png) [@k9bfriender](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/k9bfriender)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2020, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-wins-what-are-the-chances-hell-step-aside-in-2024/924166/15 "2020-10-29T19:34:16Z")
Yeah, he reminds me of my grandfather. He stayed sharp, and went for a multi-mile walk nearly every day until his 90’s. Even then, it took a few more years before his health really started taking a decline. Given his position and the healthcare available, I see little reason to think that he wouldn’t be able to serve 8 years, should he choose to. At the same time, he may decide that he’s reached the pinnacle of his career, and want to retire while he still has some time to enjoy himself. I don’t know if he will run again in 2024, but I don’t think that his health will be a major factor in that decision. ---
**Author:** ![jaycat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jaycat/32/3015_2.png) [@jaycat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jaycat)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2020, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-wins-what-are-the-chances-hell-step-aside-in-2024/924166/16 "2020-10-29T21:57:32Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > the excitement over Biden/Harris … I guess I’m missing something. ---
**Author:** ![Lamoral](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lamoral/32/16078_2.png) [@Lamoral](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamoral)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2020, 11:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-wins-what-are-the-chances-hell-step-aside-in-2024/924166/17 "2020-10-29T23:06:37Z")
> [@dtilque](#): > > As I understand it, he’s always been a stutterer. Are you sure what you’re seeing is not at least partly that? And lots of people are bad at remembering names. It’s quite common. If you watch Joe Biden speak during the 2008 Democratic primary debates, it’s extremely apparent that he has declined. No, he is not senile, and he has a respectable amount of energy for his age, but he was much sharper back in the day. If that 2008 Biden were somehow teleported forwards in time to run against Trump, there would be NO QUESTION as to his electability or speaking prowess. ---
**Author:** ![Hampshire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hampshire/32/4887_2.png) [@Hampshire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hampshire)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2020, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-wins-what-are-the-chances-hell-step-aside-in-2024/924166/18 "2020-10-29T23:10:20Z")
As someone who voted twice for Obama and once for Hillary I’m not really sold on Harris yet. Way too left for me. I could be swayed by a Republican moderate but it’s doubtful one will ever make it through their primaries. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2020, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-wins-what-are-the-chances-hell-step-aside-in-2024/924166/19 "2020-10-29T23:31:06Z")
I have to say I see your point, but after what the GOP has done to American these last four year, I cant see myself voting Republican at the National level for quite some time. Sure, most of it was trump, but how many GOP senators stood up to him? Romney? None have any spine at all. Every Republican Senator voted to confirm Barrett. ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2020, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-wins-what-are-the-chances-hell-step-aside-in-2024/924166/20 "2020-10-29T23:32:14Z")
> [@dtilque](#): > > As I understand it, he’s always been a stutterer. Are you sure what you’re seeing is not at least partly that? I’m thinking of times during the debates where he misspoke (used an incorrect term, and had to correct himself), and just generally looked older and more tired than I remember him. > [@dtilque](#): > > And lots of people are bad at remembering names. It’s quite common. Yes, it is, and it happens to me sometimes, but it often does get worse with age. > [@Lamoral](#): > > If you watch Joe Biden speak during the 2008 Democratic primary debates, it’s extremely apparent that he has declined. No, he is not senile, and he has a respectable amount of energy for his age, but he was much sharper back in the day. If that 2008 Biden were somehow teleported forwards in time to run against Trump, there would be NO QUESTION as to his electability or speaking prowess. This is pretty much my point. The 2008 Biden is the one I wish was out there today, not that there’s anything wrong with the 2020 Biden. It’s just that the earlier one would have much more persuasively hammered Trump. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-wins-what-are-the-chances-hell-step-aside-in-2024/924166.md?page=2)