Biden's Achievements Overshadowed by Political Support Deficit

In 2022, President Joe Biden sat in the Oval Office, addressing the challenge of leading a nation grappling with a pandemic, inflation, and global conflict. He urged confidence in an interview with The Associated Press, saying, "Be confident. Because I am confident." However, over the next two years, this confidence waned, culminating in Biden stepping down as his party's nominee for the November election.

Biden's departure was influenced by a series of events, including a disastrous debate against Donald Trump in June. The 81-year-old president showed his age during the debate, losing the trust of his supporters. This led to Democrats fracturing while Republicans united despite internal chaos and Trump's criminal conviction.

Challenges and Achievements

Biden's presidency saw significant legislative achievements. In March 2021, he launched a $1.9 trillion pandemic aid package that halved child poverty and created 15.7 million jobs. However, inflation rose soon after, causing his approval rating to drop from 61% to 39% by June.

He also passed a $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure package to replace aging infrastructure and improve internet access. Additionally, the CHIPS and Science Act provided $52 billion to build factories for domestic computer chip production, ensuring economic growth and national security.

Foreign Policy and Global Conflicts

Biden's foreign policy included competing more aggressively with China and rebuilding alliances like NATO. He completed the US withdrawal from Afghanistan, which resulted in the death of 13 US service members. Russia's invasion of Ukraine in early 2022 worsened inflation and sparked debates about military aid.

The October 7, 2023 attack by Hamas on Israel led to further divisions within the Democratic party regarding US support for Israel amidst counterattacks that killed tens of thousands of Palestinians. These events highlighted the stakes and fears of a Biden loss, prompting Democrats to consider a younger generation for leadership.

Biden's Political Journey

Biden's political career spanned over half a century. His first run for the White House in 1988 ended due to plagiarism issues. In 2008, he dropped out after receiving less than 1% of the vote in Iowa. Despite these setbacks, he won the presidency in 2020 after a dramatic rebound in South Carolina.

David Axelrod, a former senior adviser to Obama who worked closely with Biden, said history would treat Biden kinder than voters had. "His legacy is significant beyond all his many accomplishments," Axelrod said. "He will always be the man who stepped up and defeated a president who placed himself above our democracy."

Public Perception and Legacy

Biden struggled to inspire confidence among Americans throughout his presidency. Historian Douglas Brinkley noted that while Biden was seen as a reprieve from Trump and the pandemic, he lacked movement-style followers like Barack Obama or John F. Kennedy.

"He was a perfect person for that moment," said Brinkley. Yet there was never a "Joe Biden Democrat" akin to "Reagan Republicans." Biden's age became an unavoidable issue, with visible frailty undermining his support base.

Biden's tenure included significant legislative achievements such as the Inflation Reduction Act, which incentivized shifts away from fossil fuels and allowed Medicare to negotiate drug prices. Despite these accomplishments, his inability to maintain public confidence led to calls for him to step aside.

The culmination of these events resulted in Biden stepping down as his party's nominee for the upcoming election. Democrats believed this move was necessary to maximize their chances of winning in November.

Reflecting on Biden's legacy, Axelrod remarked that history would be kinder to him than voters were at the end. This sentiment underscores the complex nature of Biden's presidency and its impact on American politics.