The former refers to one’s ability to perform a task. The latter refers to impairment of one’s ability to bounce back from a physical setback. Frailty is sometimes used as a proxy for physical vulnerability to illness, disability, and general decline of one’s health and wellbeing.
When I think of Ronald Reagan’s second term and the campaign that led up to his reelection, I remember a physically robust man with failing cognitive abilities. He hid his failing faculties well as do many folks with early Alzheimer’s Disease. Later, his condition would worsen while still in office, but his staff and family helped him. It’s good to surround ourselves with competent people who care not only about us but about the responsibilities with which we are charged. By the end of his second term, he clearly had significant cognitive impairment.
Now we have Joe Biden who appears, to me, still fit for office but clearly frail. He has a smart and competent VP, and he has a cabinet of intelligent, honest people loyal to the country. They are more like the people in Reagan’s second term than the people in Trump’s first term. Fitness for office requires more than cognitive abilities. It requires relevant experience, good character, and good judgement. Biden’s cognitive abilities may have been effaced by age, but they are far superior to Reagan’s at a similar juncture in his political career. Still, Biden’s experience, character, and judgement are beyond question.
Finally, we have Trump. Trump may not be robust, but he makes up for it with bluster and bravado. His followers are so blinded by his sociopathy, dishonesty, and meanness that they mistake these traits for strength. His niece, Mary Trump, sees them for what they are – subterfuge to conceal his absence of relevant experience, his weakness of character, and his utter lack of good judgement. The last of these leads him to appoint people who have similarly bad impulses, weak character, and are dishonest. If his cognitive abilities wane, there will be no one at the wheel to navigate the ship of state through turbulent waters.
I think that Biden is our best chance to defeat Trump. Others disagree – especially those with deep pockets. I would vote for Biden in a heartbeat. If he withdraws from the race, I think that VP Harris is the only viable Democratic presidential candidate. Perhaps Mark Kelly would accept the nomination for VP? Any white male Democratic candidate for President will go down in defeat as loyal minority voters abandon the party.
So, I will vote for the Democrat regardless of who the party candidate is. If my party puts up a med school cadaver or a cold bucket of piss to oppose Trump, I will vote for it!