The octogenarian US President Joe Bidenwho does not hide his ambition to be re-elected to the office, enjoys “good” health, is “thriving” and absolutely “fit” to carry out his duties, according to the opinion drawn up by his doctor and made public yesterday Thursday.

Dr. Kevin O’Connor, who has been following Mr. Biden for more than ten years, wrote him a series of tests, including “a very detailed neurological examination,” according to the opinion released by the White House.

He noted that he noticed a small skin lesion on the president’s chest and that a sample was sent for a biopsy, as is customary. The findings are still awaited.

Otherwise, the oldest president in American history presents only mild pathologies, without particular severity, which are treated with three prescription drugs, the doctor clarified.

The Democrat is thus being treated for “non-valvular atrial fibrillation,” a heart condition that remains “stable” after treatment; he has a high blood lipid level, which also corrects with treatment; and allergies.

Dr. Connor also assures that two problems he had noticed at his previous examination in November 2021 — his slow gait and his frequent cough, which he attributed to gastroesophageal reflux — also remain “stable.”

“Intention”

Other than that, no change was found: the US president is 1.83 m tall, weighs 81 kg, wears contact lenses, does not smoke, does not drink, exercises five times a week.

Many have been eagerly awaiting this opinion.

Mr. Biden, while the polls are not exactly encouraging, has been repeating for some time that he “intends” to run for re-election in 2024, possibly entering the ring for a runoff with his predecessor, Donald Trump, already officially in the race.

However, he points out, which he repeated a few days ago, that he has not made a “final” decision yet.

On November 19, 2021, the Democrat, who by showing full transparency about his health status means to show how different he is from his Republican predecessor, had also undergone a comprehensive check-up. Including a colonoscopy under general anesthesia, which meant that for about an hour and a half he ceded his powers to his vice president, Kamala Harris — the first woman to gain (ephemeral) presidential privileges in US history.

Because the results of that test were normal, it was not deemed necessary to retake it this year, the White House said.

“Mental capacity test”?

Mr. Biden has not faced any serious health problems since surgery for two aneurysms in 1988. He was diagnosed with the new coronavirus and developed symptoms of COVID-19 over the summer, but not a severe form of the disease. nor symptoms of “long” COVID.

The US president has so far shown endurance rare for a man of his age, making frequent public appearances and frequent trips.

His age, however, is something the Republican opposition often chooses to focus on. Some of the president’s opponents go so far as to say that he has lost it, citing moments of confusion, verbal slips, expressive difficulties…

Nikki Haley, the 51-year-old Republican who announced she is running in the 2024 race, claimed yesterday Wednesday that every elected official or candidate for elected office over the age of 75 should undergo a mental health test. So also Donald Trump, with whom he will face off in the intra-party battle.

The former US ambassador to the UN hopes to capitalize on the desire for renewal of at least part of the American electorate, which according to polls does not want either a second term for Mr. Biden or a new presidency for Mr. Trump.

If he does enter the race, Mr. Biden will be asked to juggle a tough campaign and the high demands of his office.

Until now, he responds to questions about his age with chortas, or with the “look how I’m going to do it!” pirouette.