The president’s cognitive condition will not improve, now or in a second term

One of the most famous tourist attractions in Philadelphia, Pa., is the Liberty Bell. Then there’s Independence Hall, of course.

Not surprisingly, you can also add to that list the “Rocky” statue in front of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, where tourists and locals alike run up those steps (as Rocky did in the movie right before his match with Apollo Creed). As you may recall, once he reached the top of those steps, he raised his hands triumphantly into the air.

It was a moment for Rocky that represented the culmination of all the pain and preparation – the setbacks and comebacks – that he had experienced to get to that point, and we cheered him on, celebrating the indomitable spirit of mankind.

You see, as Americans, we admire those who don’t give up because it demonstrates “heart,” especially when the odds are against them. It’s who we are as Americans because it harkens back to our country’s founding when the British viewed our untrained, ragtag Continental Army as no more than an underdog and a nuisance. Instead, the fight for our independence – for our country – turned into an epic showdown.

But there are truly countless examples in life where someone did not give up and pushed through the pain – especially in sports. For example, Michael Jordan played with the flu during Game 5 of the NBA Finals in 1997. Ronnie Lott of the San Francisco 49ers amputated the tip of his injured finger rather than miss any playing time in 1985. Tiger Woods won the U.S. Open with a broken leg in 2008.

This “gladiator” mentality to overcome severe physical adversity is widely celebrated.

With some sports injuries, though, the “gladiator” mentality goes away when the trainers rush onto the court or field. The fans in the stands go silent when the paramedics appear, and the stretcher is rolled out, when the players all take a knee out of respect and concern – and to signal to everyone else they should be concerned, too.

It’s then, in a moment of shared humanity, where winning and losing seem trivial, a moment that transcends all team loyalties and the competitive spirit to win.

And for some reason, this got me thinking about where we are as a country in this presidential election. Although Joe Biden is not competing in any sport, and while some may say he’s “playing through the pain” of his physical and mental infirmities, it’s time for us to recognize precisely what’s going on here.

You see, Biden’s infirmities will not improve in a second term. Physical therapy, cognitive therapy, special shoes, shorter stairs, more note cards, larger teleprompters, shorter work days, prescribing this drug or that drug — none of it will change Biden’s downward spiral, and anyone who has cared for someone in Biden’s condition knows what’s ahead.

His condition does not heal, like a broken leg or a torn ACL, and it’s time we stop pretending a second term for Biden as president is even possible.

In an ABC News/Ipsos poll in February, 86% of Americans thought Biden was too old to serve another term. In March, a New York Times/Siena College found that 61% of Biden 2020 voters thought he was “just too old” to be an effective president.

Last month, even comedian Jon Stewart admitted, “I know liberals say, ‘Don’t say Joe Biden is old.’ I’m not saying that Biden can’t contribute to society, he just shouldn’t be president.”

Just this month, the Wall Street Journal published a story based on 45 interviews, including Speaker Mike Johnson, that confirms Biden’s infirmities – speaking so slowly, walking so slowly, and using notecards for general conversations – are serious.

Former Congressman Kevin McCarthy was also interviewed and said, “I used to meet with him when he was vice president. I’d go to his house. He’s not the same person.”

In the meantime, our freedoms and national security hang in the balance. Biden supporters need to wake up and realize that in Biden, they’re not watching the great Kobe Bryant shoot and make two free throws after tearing his Achilles and pushing through his pain.

They’re watching someone in his sunset years whose dignity is being washed away forever and whose frailty is progressively increasing — not in the privacy of his home, surrounded by family and friends, but on a public stage for everyone to see.

And while Americans love a good comeback story, there’s just no heroic “Rocky” storyline here for Biden – only a rocky path forward for our country.

Louis R. Avallone is a Shreveport businessman, attorney and author of “Bright Spots, Big Country, What Makes America Great.” He is also a former aide to U.S. Representative Jim McCrery and Trump elector. Follow him on Facebook, on Twitter @louisravallone or by e-mail at louisavallone@mac.com, and on American Ground Radio weeknights from 6-7 p.m. on 101.7FM/710AM KEEL in Shreveport or weeknights from 6 - 8 p.m. on 96.5FM KPEL in Lafayette, or weeknights from 8 - 9 p.m. on 990 AM WGSO in New Orleans, or Saturdays on 970 AM WNYM in New York City, and streaming live on iHeart.com, on iTunes, at americangroundradio.com and in over 40 markets across the country.