Letter to the Editor: Trump/Biden cognitive ability – Part 1
Trending
While waiting for the SCOTUS ruling on immunity defense, I thought readers would like comments on the candidates' cognitive abilities. I need to establish my credentials. I am 77, and a year ago I took a 40-minute neuropsychological cognitive test. It matched similar test results six years ago. These tests rate recall and innate intelligence. My recall is slower than it was 20 years ago. My innate intelligence is a different matter. Five years ago, I identified and proposed a solution to a manufacturing/quality problem that plagued a manufacturing plant since its operation in 1964. People with chemistry and engineering doctorates were unable to solve this problem. I could not have solved this 10 years ago. I feel innate intelligence and experience are more important than instantaneous recall.
Trump claims to have passed a cognitive test administered by R. Jackson, a Naval physician, with an experience background typical of a general practitioner. I have had similar tests, and they are problematic. They do not compare to a neuropsychological exam. Dr. Jackson was demoted from admiral to captain by the Pentagon for pill dispensing and other issues while at the White House. He is now a congressman. Trump could not remember his name at various times. This is not a good sign.
Let me compare Trump and Biden. In terms of recall, the results are variable. During the recent debate, Biden had recall problems compared to Trump. His efforts in the state of the union speech and a rally the day after were good. Trump on evening news slurred the words Saudi Arabia and Russia, confused the leaders of Turkey and Hungary. He also confused cities in the Dakotas while campaigning, and an aid had to correct him. I would rate them roughly equal on recall with a slight advantage to Biden.
Biden is way ahead of Trump in innate intelligence and experience. The facts to support this will follow with part 2. The word limit does not do this topic justice.
The country does not need one MORe term of dONald Trump. (The humor will be explained in part 2.)
Gregory Cigal
Parkersburg