Republican voters, are you concerned about the mental acuity of presidential candidates? If so, you’re not alone. Rep. Scott DesJarlais, R-Tenn., has proposed an amendment to the Constitution that would require presidential and vice presidential candidates to show proof of “cognitive competence.” And he’s not alone in this effort: he’s working with the GOP Doctors Caucus to develop legislation that would outline the specific tests that candidates would be required to take.
Why is this issue important? Well, as we’ve seen with President Biden, age-related cognitive decline can be a real issue for politicians. Biden has made several gaffes during his time in office, including forgetting names, confusing dates, and struggling to find his way offstage after delivering remarks. These incidents have raised concerns among some voters about his ability to effectively govern the country.
But it’s not just Biden who’s raising concerns. Former President Trump is also in his mid-70s, as are many other politicians. And with people living longer and remaining active well into their later years, it’s becoming increasingly important to ensure that our leaders are mentally sharp and capable of making important decisions.
That’s where DesJarlais’ amendment comes in. By requiring candidates to demonstrate cognitive competence, we can ensure that our leaders are up to the task of governing the country. And by giving Congress the authority to enforce this requirement, we can be sure that the tests are administered fairly and objectively.
Of course, there are some who will argue that this amendment is unnecessary, or that it could be used to unfairly exclude certain candidates. But DesJarlais is working to ensure that the tests are nonpartisan and fair, and that they’re designed to assess a candidate’s ability to lead rather than their political beliefs.
Ultimately, this issue comes down to one question: do we want our leaders to be mentally sharp and capable of making important decisions? If the answer is yes, then we need to take steps to ensure that this is the case.
And that’s exactly what DesJarlais’ amendment would do. So if you’re a passionate Republican voter who cares about the future of our country, I urge you to support this important proposal.