In an exclusive interview, Biden shared his biggest regret and a compliment Trump gave him. Some Democrats blame Biden’s decision to run for a second term, only to withdraw his campaign 107 days before the election, for paving the way for Trump’s return to power. Biden’s determination led to a poor debate performance against Trump in June, prompting him to drop out a month later and leaving Kamala Harris with limited time to campaign.
The turning point for Biden to run again was the 2022 midterm elections where Democrats exceeded expectations, leading to a delay in his reelection announcement until April 2023. Despite his low approval ratings, the results convinced Biden of his policies’ popularity. However, critics argue that the post-midterm enthusiasm for Democrats may have been influenced by other factors such as the aftermath of Roe v. Wade and the Capitol attack in 2021.
Experts suggest that Biden’s failure to energize the nation and build the Democratic Party bench may lead to his presidency being viewed as unsuccessful. The absence of a strong Democratic primary field following signals from the White House about Biden’s reelection intentions limited the party’s options. Hindsight now suggests that Democrats might have been better off had Biden stepped aside earlier to allow other candidates to enter the race.
In a tightly contested race, McGovern expressed that Harris would have been a stronger candidate if she had won a primary. With more time to connect with the American people and counter Trump’s attacks, she could have made a bigger impact. Vice President Kamala Harris was present as President Joe Biden discussed the Los Angeles fires on January 9, 2025, at the White House. Biden’s advisers dismiss the idea that his decision to run and then step back led to Trump’s victory, attributing it to widespread dissatisfaction, particularly with inflation. While some Democrats opposed Biden’s re-election bid, only a few, like Rep. Dean Phillips, challenged him, with little success. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez defended Biden’s campaign, highlighting party support for his decision. Despite Biden’s belief that he could have beaten Trump, many Democrats are skeptical, as Trump consistently led in polls during the campaign. Harris, who took over after Biden’s exit, closed the gap in polls but lost in critical swing states. Most Democrats are hesitant to entertain Biden’s assertion that he and Harris could have defeated Trump.
House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., emphasized the importance of moving forward instead of backward in a recent statement when questioned about his agreement with President Biden. Former U.S. President Donald Trump, the Republican presidential candidate, took part in the CNN Presidential Debate at the CNN Studios on June 27, 2024, in Atlanta, Georgia.
As President Biden nears the end of his term, he and his supporters are working to establish a legacy centered on key legislation passed during his first term. Despite facing a narrow Democratic majority in the Senate, Biden succeeded in enacting significant laws leading to substantial infrastructure investments, a revitalization of clean-energy industries, and advancements in the microchip sector to compete with China. This ambitious agenda has been described by Biden as the “most significant investment in America since the New Deal.”
Biden has also highlighted his achievements in revitalizing the economy amidst a global pandemic, strengthening global alliances, and rallying international support for Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression. Representative Jim Clyburn, a trusted ally of Biden, praised the President’s legislative productivity, comparing him favorably to past Democratic leaders.
Regarding Biden’s age and potential successor, Clyburn downplayed concerns, pointing out the similarities between Biden and his opponent in terms of age. He attributed Biden’s occasional verbal missteps to his lifelong struggle with stuttering and criticized the media’s focus on these incidents. Clyburn also expressed doubts about the necessity for Biden to step aside for a new nominee, believing that Biden could have defeated Trump had he continued his candidacy.
Looking ahead, biographer Chris Whipple acknowledged the complexities of Biden’s legacy. While Biden’s handling of economic challenges and bipartisan legislation has garnered praise, shortcomings in addressing border issues and inflation concerns have been noted. The timing of Biden’s decision not to seek a second term has also raised questions about the trajectory of his legacy over time.
Whipple noted that President Biden’s upcoming re-election decision will shape how many Americans remember him. He attributed Biden’s determination to run again to a mindset of being constantly overlooked and underestimated for a long time. Whipple expressed concern that Biden’s refusal to acknowledge his age and the challenges of seeking a second term could have negative consequences, especially given the Democrats’ performance in the 2022 midterms which he believes reinforced Biden’s belief that he could win again.
Sen. Chris Coons, a close ally of Biden, suggested that Biden’s legacy will improve over time, drawing a comparison to President Harry S. Truman, who was initially viewed negatively after leaving office but later appreciated for his accomplishments. Coons predicted that historical assessments of Biden will evolve positively, highlighting Biden’s dedication to the middle class, bipartisan efforts, and legislative achievements.
Looking ahead, former Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle predicted that Biden would be recognized as one of the top 10 presidents in history in the future, emphasizing the importance of evaluating presidents based on their accomplishments in office rather than their campaigns.
As Biden’s presidency unfolds, parallels have been drawn to the end of Jimmy Carter’s term, the last one-term Democratic president. Despite Biden’s success in defeating Trump, his decision to seek re-election has raised concerns among some, as they fear a second Trump term could be detrimental. Biden’s recent tribute to Carter highlighted the importance of studying Carter’s post-presidential legacy of volunteerism and finding meaning and purpose in his example.
There has been a backlash from Democrats over President Biden’s decision to pardon his son, Hunter Biden, which broke a promise he had made. Historian Brinkley noted that this action, along with other events during Biden’s last year in office, has tarnished the image that Biden had carefully constructed.
Brinkley observed that Biden’s presidency was marked by a focus on public service and the state of democracy. However, the pardon of Hunter Biden led some to view Biden as just another self-serving politician, undermining the principles he had purported to uphold. Brinkley, who has authored books on various presidents including Carter, Franklin D. Roosevelt, and Theodore Roosevelt, highlighted key achievements from Carter’s presidency to draw a contrast. These accomplishments included brokering the Camp David Accords between Israel and Egypt, establishing diplomatic relations with China, conservation efforts in Alaska, expanding the national parks system, founding the Departments of Education and Energy, and advocating for human rights in foreign policy.
Brinkley emphasized the association of Jimmy Carter with human rights, reflecting a strong and principled stance that defined Carter’s legacy. In contrast, Brinkley raised concerns about the perception of Joe Biden in his later years, suggesting that he may have overstayed his welcome in politics.
The article raises questions about President Biden’s legacy, particularly as it relates to his age and his decision not to pass the torch to a new generation of leaders sooner. These factors loom over his presidential tenure and may shape the way history remembers his time in office.
For further information or inquiries, you can contact Joey Garrison at X or via Twitter @joeygarrison.
This article was originally published on USA TODAY, examining the lingering impact of President Biden’s choices and actions on his overall legacy.
