To hell with the New York Times, but I don't think these concerns are manufactured. Progressive spaces like TNR and Zeteo expressed immediate concern about Biden after the debate. But so did Never-Trump allies. The move to seriously grapple with stepping down is broad and organic.
So the people who possibly, but very reluctantly, supported for Biden and have largely criticized him for either not fulfilling their entire progressive agenda or for pursuing normal Democratic policies are expressing concern? Whatever. Let me know when actual Democrats speak up in mass.
They're 100% manufactured, because it doesn't even matter. It's not like if Biden dies or becomes incapacitated in office the country falls apart. He's just a man. We'll be fine either way.
The concerns are not manufactured but the vicious coverage is absolutely ridiculous, especially compared to the coverage of other, much more important topics
What happens when he stays in office but drops from the race (to preserve the tie breaking vote in the senate)? Does the coverage get better when we reward this? Does it get better when Kamala Harris goes from a VP to a black woman seeking the highest office in the country?
The concern isn't manufactured. The fact that they can't move on to the much more serious threats from the right and the Trump immunity ruling shows what their priorities are.
Yeah - I think it's absolutely true people are concerned about his debate performance and question if he has the ability to go forward.
But then it's a matter of whether or not anyone would trust anything else that happens.