In a recent development, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg has voiced concerns about the age and mental sharpness of Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump, placing him in contrast to Democratic nominee Kamala Harris. This follows the withdrawal of Joe Biden from the presidential race.
What Happened: Buttigieg, during his appearance on “Fox News Sunday,” suggested that Trump, currently the oldest presidential nominee in U.S. history, would have preferred to compete against Biden. He indicated that voters are apprehensive about Trump’s age and mental acuity, particularly when compared to Harris, who is almost 20 years younger, reported Politico.
“I'm pretty sure voters are worried about the age and acuity of President Trump compared to Kamala Harris,” said Buttigieg.
Buttigieg also took a jab at the “personality cult” surrounding Trump, criticizing his long-winded speeches and the GOP’s depiction of him as a strong leader. He commended Biden’s choice to step down from the race, calling it an “extraordinary, historic, selfless choice.”
Trump’s campaign defended the former president, with Communications Director Steven Cheung stating that Trump has “more energy and stamina than anyone in politics.” Cheung also took a swipe at Buttigieg’s performance in the 2020 Democratic primary.
The Democratic Party has rallied around Harris, who has managed to close Biden’s polling gap with Trump. She is currently outperforming Biden among independents, people of color, women, and voters under 35.
Buttigieg, rumored to be a potential vice presidential contender for Harris, has been actively campaigning and praising the Harris campaign, while criticizing Trump and his running mate, JD Vance.
Why It Matters Following Biden’s decision to withdraw from the 2024 presidential race, Harris has secured enough delegates to win the party’s nomination, setting up a direct battle against Trump in the 2024 election.
Recent polls show a close race, with Trump leading Harris by a narrow margin. However, Harris’s favorability among registered voters has seen a significant rise, jumping 11 points to 46%.
As Harris prepares to select a vice-presidential candidate, Buttigieg is seen as a potential pick, tying for second place in favorability ratings among potential Democratic VP candidates, according to a new poll.
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This story was generated using Benzinga Neuro and edited by Shivdeep Dhaliwal
© 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
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