Joe Biden's cognitive and physical fitness has been a central issue for voters considering his reelection bid. For example, during a recent speech about alleged "man-made climate change," it was clear that he continues to deal with health issues, as his coughing twice interrupted a statement about the CHIPS and Science Act, which he signed last year.
More and more reports are suggesting that the Democrats intend to replace a faltering Joe Biden in 2024. Conservative columnist and commentator Robert Knight says he's long thought Biden will have to step down.
"If only because of his mental deterioration," he tells AFN. "[But] the fact that more and more scandal stories are finding their way into the mainstream press, which supports Biden, tells me that they're paving the way for a transition toward another nominee."
Who might that nominee be? Knight is convinced it won't be the Vice President.
"There is no energy behind nominating Kamala Harris," he states. "Instead, she presents a problem for the Democrats. They don't even like her. But they will find a way to get her out of the way and bring in [California Governor] Gavin Newsom. I think the smart money is on that formula."
Should that scenario transpire, the columnist expects Newsom would be a formidable adversary for the GOP.
And in the GOP's corner …
Meanwhile, opponents of former President Donald Trump contend he is ineligible to be president, citing Section 3 of the 14th Amendment. They claim Trump's actions surrounding the January 6, 2021, storming of the U.S. Capitol constituted "insurrection" against the U.S.
But earlier this week, Michigan Court of Claims Judge James Redford rejected that argument. Two other states Minnesota and New Hampshire have dismissed similar lawsuits, but a challenge remains in Colorado.
A Michigan-based conservative organization believes Redford made the right call rejecting an effort to remove Trump from the 2024 primary ballot. Ron Armstrong, president of Stand Up Michigan, sees the ruling as a measured result.
"I think it was proper. He isn't giving a final decision on whether Trump should be or should not be removed later or in the future," Armstrong tells AFN. "I think he's saying it's premature and it's based on the wrong set of circumstances."
In other words, Armstrong explains, Judge Redford believes the question of whether Donald Trump is qualified or disqualified from appearing on the 2024 general election ballot in Michigan isn't right for adjudication at this time.
"He's basically [telling them] they're premature in the fact that they're already considering him guilty of something … [and he's saying] Sorry, he's not guilty of anything – yet," the Michigan activist continues.
"I think that this is to set it up; it's to get people probably to feel good about this at this time. But there's a reason that in Minnesota and Colorado that they're taking this there now [because] they're getting thrown out."
Armstrong believes they're also setting a precedent so they can go back and revisit the challenges if Trump is convicted in the future.
