Andy Bloom: What’s wrong with Joe Biden?
Matt Johnson via Flickr
As far back as 2019, I have postulated that Joe Biden’s forgetfulness, inability to speak clearly, and especially the blank stare in his eyes indicate that he has Alzheimer’s.
I have no medical training, but research has shown that the eyes are potential biomarkers of Alzheimer’s. There is considerable research on the subject.
I’ve based my opinion largely on what I saw when Alzheimer’s ravaged my father and maternal grandmother. I will write about those experiences,
Before I wrote a column detailing why I thought Biden had Alzheimer’s, I had a conversation with a medical expert I know, who is eminently qualified to discuss such topics.
My medical expert is not a Republican and most certainly NOT a Trump fan or voter (quite the opposite).
The expert reviewed the following symptoms with me – all of which we both agreed Biden exhibits.
- Bradykinesia: Slowed movement
- Pipe rigidity: Where the muscles remain stiff and resist passive movement (watch Biden’s arms when he walks).
- Unstable posture or walking gait: During his annual physical, the president’s doctor, Kevin O’Connor noted Biden’s stiff gait.
- Hypometric blinking: A reduction in blinking. That’s the blank stare he’s had dating back to at least 2019, and so apparent during the debate.
- Glacial hypomimia: Also known as “facial masking,” a noticeable reduction in facial expressions. It’s the second half of the blank stare that disturbed so many during the debate. It also explains the open mouth during the debate.
- Hypophonia: A condition where a person speaks with a soft or weak voice due to impaired vocal cord control.
If you search on all these terms, you will find that they are symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.
My medical expert would not go so far as to diagnose Biden with Parkinson’s, never having examined the president. They would go so far as to call the symptoms witnessed on television as “Parkinsonian.”
People afflicted with Parkinson’s suffer from low dopamine levels. There are numerous medications that are used to treat this or could be used to help with a short-term boost.
Although Parkinson’s is primarily known for its motor symptoms, such as tremors and rigidity, that is not always the case.
If Biden is suffering from Parkinson’s, is he mentally able to carry out the duties of President of the United States?
Parkinson’s can also affect cognitive functions. Many people with Parkinson’s disease experience cognitive decline, including difficulties with memory, executive functions (like planning and organizing), attention, and problem-solving skills. As the disease progresses, cognitive impairment can range from mild cognitive changes to more severe dementia, known as Parkinson’s disease dementia.
My medical expert says that Parkinson’s dementia can be made worse by stress, unusual environments, later in the evening, and lack of structure, all factors exacerbated by the debate. Unfortunately, these are also conditions that the President of the United States must face daily.
What we saw during the debate and other incidents suggests the disease has progressed beyond mild cognitive changes.
Biden and his doctor need to reveal whether Biden has Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, or something else. What’s certain is something is wrong, and the debate wasn’t just “a bad night.”
If Biden’s rationale for running is that the other guy lies, it’s time for him to be honest with the American people.
Andy Bloom is President of Andy Bloom Communications. He specializes in media training and political communications. He has programmed legendary stations including WIP, WPHT, WYSP/Philadelphia, KLSX, Los Angeles, and WCCO Minneapolis. He was Vice President of Programming for Emmis International, Greater Media Inc., and Coleman Research. Andy also served as communications director for Rep. Michael R. Turner (R-Ohio). He can be reached by email at andy@andybloom.com or you can follow him on Twitter at @AndyBloomCom.
You’re right about one thing, “I have no medical training,” So you have no authority to make this determination. As for your unnamed and imaginary medical expert he has no access to Biden or his medical records which makes his thoughts anecdotal at best.
However if you want to play this game, what are thoughts on this?https://thehill.com/opinion/4568794-press-top-psychologist-says-trump-likely-to-fall-off-mental-cliff/
“B-b-but what about Trump?”
The Democrats and their friends in the press hid the president’s illness from the American people for years and now Trump’s about to walk back into the White House. I’m sure you’re mad, but you’re not mad at the right people.
What illness would that be Dr. Kevin?
Exactly. They are now panicking because their attempt to prop up the Wizard of Odd fell flat. We saw behind the curtain and now we need to blame all of them, every damn one who covered for this addled old man
Well thought and written Christine.
Doesn’t make Trump or his delusional supporters look any better, Christine. You have chosen to ignore Trump’s bragging that he sexually assaults women. You ignore his constant “hormonal meltdowns” and crying on social media. His never ending toddler behavior. His January 6th riot because he lost an election. His felony convictions his porn star scandals, serial adultery. Biden will be replaced. But, you’ve rewarded Trump’s detestable behavior. Trump is nothing but dishonor and shame.
Christine, you nailed it. Agree 100%. And I would like to add that the jackals among the Democrats riding his coattails to further their careers and ambitions are now turning on him like a pack of savage beasts from his own circle. Terrified that their careers are imperiled while gripping those now tattered coattails, they now must place another and new propped character as a “new & better” front runner with a “guarantee” that he or she can beat Trump. This is yet another spotlight on a once admirable political party whose collective content of character has sunk to new lows.
My column went up on July 2nd.
This went up on July 5.
https://www.lawyersgunsmoneyblog.com/2024/07/medical-experts-biden-needs-to-be-evaluated-for-parkinsons-parkinsonism
These two went up on July 6.
https://nypost.com/2024/07/06/us-news/president-bidens-physician-met-with-parkinsons-disease-specialist-in-white-house/
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/parkinsons-disease-specialist-met-president-bidens-physician-white-house
On behalf of my medical expert, we accept your apology.
Andy, like Tom Hardy’s character Fitzgerald said in the Revenant: “Yarn. We all saw it.”
Poor Judah. Between the debate performance of Obama’s puppet and SCOTUS rulings this week, plus Independence Day, as Doc said in Tombstone: “I’m afraid the strain was more than he could bear.”
Stay defiant Joe.
American Presidents never needed immunity until Trump left office.
Brandon would call you a lying dogface pony soldier for that one.
Presidential immunity came up in Nixon vs. Fitzgerald, and in Clinton vs, Jones.
Both were well before Trump Trump Trump.
Bringing a subject and getting a Supreme Court ruling are two different things. Both were well before Biden, Biden, Biden.
You need a SC ruling when democrats are involved in perverting the Constitution into law fare.
Trump, Trump, Trump.
Former President Barack Obama murdered a 16 year old U.S. citizen… THEN he claimed “immunity” from that act, and then the courts dismissed the claims.
Biden was Vice President at that time, but he was busy stealing and sharing classified information that he was NOT allowed to have in his Vice President’s possession.
That 16 year old boy was the son of Anwar al-Awlaki. His father out him at risk when he became a major player in al-Qaeda and brought him with hm to the Middle East.
Biden and PENCE both found classified documents in their homes. They contacted the FBI, turned over the documents, and allowed the FBI to search their homes. Trump spent 18 denying he had classified documents and refused to return all of them.
The 16 year old boy was… the son of a son of a sailor? Regardless, he was a 16-year-old boy and a U.S. citizen. Obama killed him without due process. Obama claimed immunity. Your argument is illogical and false as usual and riddled with misspellings and poor punctuation.
He was the son of a notorious scum ball? That child was still entitled to due process. He was kidnapped by a mad man, so let’s blow him up? Geez.
Correct, both Biden and Pence had stolen classified material. LOCK THEM BOTH UP. Add them to the list. Check it twice.
SCOTUS ruled that the President has immunity, which will include Biden.
And he’s going to need it.
Bummer for him, though: it does not extend to a Vice President. (read – Burisma, classified documents.)
joe biden’s biggest problem is that his wife and family members care more about their own status than they do about joe’s own physical and mental well being. jill and the rest of the clan will have a lot to answer for some day.
My Partner, who is 66 years old, was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease last year. We noticed that he was experiencing hallucinations, slow movement, disturbed sleep, and twitchy hands and legs when at rest. He had to stop taking pramipexole (Sifrol), carbidopa/levodopa, and 2 mg of biperiden because of side effects. Our family doctor recommended a PD-5 treatment from natural herbs centre , which my husband has been undergoing for several months now. Exercise has been very beneficial. He has shown great improvement with the treatment thus far. He is more active now, does more, and feels less apathetic. He has more energy and can do more activities in a day than he did before. As far as tremors I observe a progress, he improved drastically. I thought I would share my husband’s story in case it could be helpful, but ultimately you have to figure out what works best for you. Salutations and well wishes
That’s great news, Caroline. I’m happy for you and your partner.
Caroline,
I’m sorry to hear about your husband’s diagnosis, but happy to learn that the medications have been effective in slowing the progression and allowing him to maintain a good quality of life.
The advancements in medicine are spectacular. Let’s pray that science continues to advance so we can all live longer more robust lives.
Andy
An excellent, readable, tight, relevant summary of a complex presentation. The “masked” face, gait disturbance long present have become more pronounced. The debate revealed a lack of capacity and competence in someone who controls our nuclear arsenal.
I think the 25 amendment was intended for such a situation. I think the members of the Cabinet deserve interviews on this issue.
Thanks, Frank.
Indeed, it’s time to implement the 25th Amendment, although that doesn’t offer great comfort – does it?
This column was originally posted on July 2nd.
On July 5th this column was posted:
https://www.lawyersgunsmoneyblog.com/2024/07/medical-experts-biden-needs-to-be-evaluated-for-parkinsons-parkinsonism
And on July 6th these news stories broke:
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/parkinsons-disease-specialist-met-president-bidens-physician-white-house
https://nypost.com/2024/07/06/us-news/president-bidens-physician-met-with-parkinsons-disease-specialist-in-white-house/
Pat on the back to my medical expert who knew exactly what they were talking about.
Now, it’s time for President Biden to confront reality and step aside. The country is facing an existential threat – a president who cannot function cognitively 100% of the time. If he truly believes that Donald Trump is a threat to democracy, he needs to allow the Democratic Party to nominate somebody else and give them as much time as possible to campaign – starting now.
My legs felt like they each weigh 200 lbs. Moving was very hard for me. I figured it was the PD progression. I started a PD-5 programme about 4 months ago. I can now walk down the street and back daily. It doesn’t make the Parkinson’s go away but it did give me better quality of life. I got the treatment from natural herbs centre