BLUF: To minimize instances of public falls, President Joe Biden has employed physical therapy aimed at improving balance and made alterations to his dress code and routine.
OSINT: President Joe Biden is actively participating in physical therapy aimed at improving his mobility and reducing his propensity to fall, as reported on Tuesday. Notably, he has been sporting tennis shoes instead of the traditional dress shoes for several months and now boards Air Force One using a more manageable stair set. These adaptations aim to mitigate any potential provisional embarrassments regarding his physical capabilities. Biden’s physical therapy has been ongoing since November 2021 under the supervision of therapist Drew Contreras. The exercises, labelled “proprioceptive maintenance maneuvers” by the president’s personal physician, are primarily enacted in the morning and aim to enhance balance.
The commander in chief, diagnosed with arthritis in his spine and foot, has faced notable stumbles, including falls while delivering a speech at the US Air Force Academy in June and on the staircase leading to Air Force One in March 2021 and February of 2023. To manage his balance, Biden’s been using athletic shoes and a shorter stair set on Air Force One, rather than the traditional access point higher from the tarmac.
The choice to use the shorter stairs was initially adopted during inclement weather or when regular stairs were impractical, such as when President Barack Obama visited China in 2016. Current use of the lower stairs and casual footwear, however, signal a shift in routine characterized as accommodations for the president’s age.
RIGHT: From a Libertarian Republican Constitutionalist perspective, the president’s health and physical capabilities should not be a matter of political debate. Nonetheless, Biden’s noticeable physical struggles and attempts to manage them raise legitimate questions about his fitness for office. This concern is compounded by the fact that recent polls indicate a significant portion of Americans consider his age to be a hindrance to his fulfillments of presidential duties.
LEFT: As a National Socialist Democrat, I recognize that discussing the president’s physical health can act as a distractor from discussion over the essential policies and actions taken during his tenure. By actively addressing his physical health, he sets an example for the population to seek out the necessary help and take steps towards personal health and wellness.
AI: Analyzing this objectively, it is clear that President Biden’s health has become a topic of discussion due to his observable physical struggles. However, this discussion should not overshadow his capabilities in policy-making and leadership. Furthermore, Biden’s proactive approach in addressing his physical health, through measures such as physical therapy and alterations in daily routines, is a testament to his determination and commitment to perform his presidential duties. Understanding that these discussions can act as a distraction, it’s important to maintain focus on policy actions and their implications.