# President Biden's Stroke/Aneurysm \[in 1988- edited title\] **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [November 15, 2021, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-bidens-stroke-aneurysm-in-1988-edited-title/954412 "2021-11-15T21:47:56Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2021, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-bidens-stroke-aneurysm-in-1988-edited-title/954412/21 "2021-11-15T22:16:24Z")
How about a title like “Biden had a stroke in '88 – could that be affecting him now?” If nothing else, it makes the thread look less like a breaking news story, and thus, less misleading. ---
**Author:** ![D\_Anconia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@D\_Anconia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D_Anconia)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2021, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-bidens-stroke-aneurysm-in-1988-edited-title/954412/22 "2021-11-15T22:20:10Z")
No, of course not. But doubling down by saying “I don’t need a cite” when you’re wrong is not cool in GD/PE/FQ, in my opinion. That’s all I’m saying. ---
**Author:** ![PhillyGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ed655f/32.png) [@PhillyGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhillyGuy)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2021, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-bidens-stroke-aneurysm-in-1988-edited-title/954412/23 "2021-11-15T22:20:34Z")
> [@erysichthon](#): > > I read the thread title and almost freaked out.h Me too. Just checked in here after a day of working and assumed it was the news of the day, or month, or year. Aging [can improve judgment](https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/do-some-cognitive-functions-improve-with-age#Study-on-functioning-skills). Or harm it. The President has too much authority regardless of age. Big military decisions, within bounds set by Congress, should be made by vote of a security cabinet, not one person. ---
**Author:** ![Jim\_B](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jim_b/32/4338_2.png) [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2021, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-bidens-stroke-aneurysm-in-1988-edited-title/954412/24 "2021-11-15T22:20:44Z")
Well, I do like to make my titles concise (you might’ve noticed this in the past too). But hey, if that title is required, the mods can change the title. Yes, my question is indeed how an issue from 1988 could affect him now. I mean his mind does wander. I must not be the first person to notice that. And no one has commented on that yet either 🙂 . ---
**Author:** ![Jim\_B](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jim_b/32/4338_2.png) [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2021, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-bidens-stroke-aneurysm-in-1988-edited-title/954412/25 "2021-11-15T22:24:22Z")
Now I am not sure what you mean by ‘doubling down’ because I did quickly recognize my error and will try to be more careful in the future. And I do think my thread brings up a good topic. No one else has ever brought it up before. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![raventhief](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/raventhief/32/4_2.png) [@raventhief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/raventhief)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2021, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-bidens-stroke-aneurysm-in-1988-edited-title/954412/26 "2021-11-15T22:26:52Z")
_ **Moderating** _ I changed the title to be more specific regarding the medical issue, and that it happened in 1988. Sure looked like current news to me, too! ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2021, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-bidens-stroke-aneurysm-in-1988-edited-title/954412/27 "2021-11-15T22:29:31Z")
> [@Jim\_B](#): > > And he does still seem to struggle (right word?) a little, just a little, from time to time. Biden had a stutter as a child and young man. What you are perceiving isn’t that unusual with someone who has had to overcome a stutter. Of course, that is exactly the sort of thing a political enemy will attempt to twist into something it isn’t. As for the effects of a stroke - that all depends on which region of the brain was affected. The on-going effects can range from so minimal as to be unnoticeable to completely disabling. Would you happen to know where in the brain Biden’s stroke occurred? It might also be important to note gender and handedness of any person who has suffered a stroke, as that, too can impact effects and recovery. (Presumably, Biden is male so we’ll take that as a given) ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2021, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-bidens-stroke-aneurysm-in-1988-edited-title/954412/28 "2021-11-15T22:42:29Z")
> [@Broomstick](#): > > As for the effects of a stroke - that all depends on which region of the brain was affected. The on-going effects can range from so minimal as to be unnoticeable to completely disabling. Would you happen to know where in the brain Biden’s stroke occurred? The article to which the OP linked in post #10 mentions that the aneurysm was discovered at the base of the brain. > [@](#): > > In his [2007 book “Promises to Keep,”](https://www.amazon.com/Promises-Keep-Politics-Joe-Biden/dp/0812976215)he describes passing out in a hotel room in Rochester in February 1988, where earlier that night he had given a speech at the University of Rochester. He recalls a “lightning flashing inside my head, a powerful electrical surge — and then a rip of pain like I’d never felt before.” He was unconscious for five hours. > > Biden flew back to Wilmington the next morning, despite feeling weak and sick. Shortly after returning to his home, he was rushed to Saint Francis Hospital in Wilmington. The results of a spinal tap showed blood in his spinal fluid, meaning an artery in his brain was likely leaking, Biden wrote. > > A CT scan revealed an aneurysm lying below the base of his brain. Surgery was his best chance of survival. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2021, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-bidens-stroke-aneurysm-in-1988-edited-title/954412/29 "2021-11-15T22:47:37Z")
To the OP’s question: no, I don’t notice that he seems like “his attention does seem to wander.” I do notice momentary hesitations in his speech from time to time, which, as has already been mentioned, is likely due to his stuttering, and is nothing new. I think that his administration, as a whole, has not always been great at managing their messaging, or in reacting quickly and decisively to issues; that said, I have no idea how much of that is on Biden himself, or on any cognitive issues which he, himself, might be suffering. ---
**Author:** ![nelliebly](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nelliebly/32/5422_2.png) [@nelliebly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nelliebly)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2021, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-bidens-stroke-aneurysm-in-1988-edited-title/954412/30 "2021-11-15T23:17:16Z")
Nope. You started a thread about Biden’s “stroke,” not his “general health and cognition.” As has already been stated and cited, the latter is fine. You say, > [@Jim\_B](#): > > BTW someone did point out that President Biden did indeed have _one_ stroke. I’ve checked news articles from 1988. None of his doctors used the word “stroke” in discussing his surgeries. This is probably because what happened **was not considered a stroke**. According to the [Washington Post](https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-biden-health-problems/2020/10/23/aa6390ac-13cd-11eb-ba42-ec6a580836ed_story.html) (Sorry, paywalled), Biden’s aneurysm didn’t rupture until just as the surgeon was placing the clip that would end the danger of it rupturing. You couldn’t get closer to NOT having a rupture or have a more immediate medical correction. While the first aneurysm (A smaller, unruptured one was surgically corrected weeks later.) was absolutely life-threatening, Biden was, after the surgery, > “The Senator is awake and alert, oriented, moving all extremities well, and is conversing with his family,” said Mr. Ecker. [This [NYT article](https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1988/05/04/017288.html?pageNumber=22) may also be paywalled. It’s dated May 4, 1988.] Question @Jim_B Why don’t you do the research first and THEN post? And give cites in your OP and responses? I’d like an answer, please. ---
**Author:** ![Jim\_B](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jim_b/32/4338_2.png) [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2021, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-bidens-stroke-aneurysm-in-1988-edited-title/954412/31 "2021-11-16T00:21:32Z")
I’ll be more careful in the future. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Chingon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chingon/32/17645_2.png) [@Chingon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chingon)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2021, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-bidens-stroke-aneurysm-in-1988-edited-title/954412/32 "2021-11-16T00:23:46Z")
> [@nelliebly](#): > > Question @Jim_B Why don’t you do the research first and THEN post? And give cites in your OP and responses? I’d like an answer, please. Because there’s no consequences here for him not to. ---
**Author:** ![Jim\_B](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jim_b/32/4338_2.png) [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2021, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-bidens-stroke-aneurysm-in-1988-edited-title/954412/33 "2021-11-16T00:24:57Z")
I desire to be a good person and do what’s right. Isn’t that reason? ---
**Author:** ![Jim\_B](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jim_b/32/4338_2.png) [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2021, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-bidens-stroke-aneurysm-in-1988-edited-title/954412/34 "2021-11-16T00:26:10Z")
BTW you have to admit sometimes a cite is just redundant. And I’ve seen instances where other posters omit it then. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_waldo_pepper/32/12370_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Waldo_Pepper)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2021, 12:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-bidens-stroke-aneurysm-in-1988-edited-title/954412/35 "2021-11-16T00:29:06Z")
> [@Jim\_B](#): > > BTW you have to admit sometimes a cite is just redundant. And I’ve seen instances where other posters omit it then. …cite? ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2021, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-bidens-stroke-aneurysm-in-1988-edited-title/954412/36 "2021-11-16T00:32:15Z")
> [@Jim\_B](#): > > BTW you have to admit sometimes a cite is just redundant. And I’ve seen instances where other posters omit it then. Narrator: This, however, was not one of those times. ---
**Author:** ![nelliebly](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nelliebly/32/5422_2.png) [@nelliebly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nelliebly)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2021, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-bidens-stroke-aneurysm-in-1988-edited-title/954412/37 "2021-11-16T01:17:11Z")
> [@Jim\_B](#): > > I’ll be more careful in the future. 🙂 Good. And citing isn’t just important for posting; it’ll help you learn more, always a good thing for each of us. > [@Jim\_B](#): > > I desire to be a good person and do what’s right. Isn’t that reason? That is indeed a reason. The proof is in the pudding, so I hope you do follow through. > [@Jim\_B](#): > > BTW you have to admit sometimes a cite is just redundant. And I’ve seen instances where other posters omit it then. This indicates to me that you don’t understand when you need to provide a cite. Maybe someone can explain more concisely than I could when you do and don’t need to provide one. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2021, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-bidens-stroke-aneurysm-in-1988-edited-title/954412/38 "2021-11-16T01:58:31Z")
> [@Jim\_B](#): > > BTW you have to admit sometimes a cite is just redundant. And I’ve seen instances where other posters omit it then. When you’re _immediately_ proven wrong, a cite would have been a good idea. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2021, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-bidens-stroke-aneurysm-in-1988-edited-title/954412/39 "2021-11-16T02:12:52Z")
> [@Jim\_B](#): > > @kenobi_65 Well, age does sometimes make these things catch up with you. IANADoctor. But I have seen the phenomenon in numerous family members. It is the middle sentence that matters here. ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2021, 2:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-bidens-stroke-aneurysm-in-1988-edited-title/954412/40 "2021-11-16T02:15:39Z")
When the opening line of the thread parenthetically states that no cite will be provided, a cite is probably in order. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-bidens-stroke-aneurysm-in-1988-edited-title/954412.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-bidens-stroke-aneurysm-in-1988-edited-title/954412.md?page=3)