Lesson for Biden supporters: Reagan was thought to be elderly and losing his memory in 1984 yet he won in a landslide [View all]

[andym]

In Reagan's case he may have even been suffering from early signs of Alzheimer's, which he was later diagnosed with. In one debate with Mondale he couldn't answer many questions due to forgetfulness. Didn't matter. Why? The country had just come out of a high inflationary period, and Reagan got credit for the economy. At the moment, a similar economic situation has been developing with regard to inflation. Reagan projected an image of a kindly grandfather optimistic about the future of America (despite his policies directly contradicting his image). Biden projects a similar image, distorted as it is by partisan attacks by the Right. Reagan was trailing "democrat to be named" in polling until the spring of 1984, when it was apparent the economy was improving. The stage is set for a Biden victory if he can demonstrate that he is competent (the bar is lowered by special prosecutor's report) by delivering a coherent State of the Union address-- perhaps even stating something like it's "morning in America, again," which would throw the Right into fits.