WASHINGTON, March 8, 2024 (BSS/AFP) - Joe Biden said his age gave him a unique perspective as US president during his State of the Union speech to Congress Thursday, addressing a major criticism of his reelection campaign head-on.

"I know it may not look like it, but I've been around a while," the 81-year-old said. "When you get to be my age certain things become clearer than ever. I know the American story."

"Again and again, I've seen the contest between competing forces in the battle for the soul of our nation -- between those who want to pull America back to the past and those want to move America into the future," he added.