“You had one job.”
As we reflect on teh presidency of Joe Biden, this Ocean’s 11-inspired internet meme lingers in the mind. Biden’s singular mission was not to pass legislation, sign executive orders, or navigate foreign conflicts.it was to defeat Donald Trump, to deny him the presidency, and to end the existential threat he posed to American democracy.
From the outset of his 2019 campaign,Biden made clear his intention to lead the nation to victory “in the battle for the soul of this nation.” At the 2020 democratic National Convention, he declared his candidacy was about saving democracy and ensuring the U.S. became “a light to the world once again.”
In November 2020, biden achieved a historic victory, securing 81 million votes—7 million more than Trump. yet, the paradox of his presidency lies in the fact that his triumph inadvertently paved the way for Trump’s resurgence.Biden’s failure to pursue a political or legal case against Trump in the aftermath of the 2020 election and the January 6 insurrection was a critical misstep. Despite entering office with a mandate and momentum, Biden privately told aides he “just wants to move on,” as reported by NBC News.
This decision allowed Trump to regroup at Mar-a-Lago,reclaim control of the Republican Party,and stage a political comeback. Biden’s choice of Merrick Garland as Attorney General, a cautious centrist, further underscored his reluctance to confront Trump head-on.
Key Moments in Biden’s Presidency
Table of Contents
| Event | Outcome |
|——————————–|—————————————————————————–|
| 2020 Election Victory | biden wins 81 million votes,defeating Trump. |
| January 6 insurrection | Trump incites Capitol attack; Biden opts not to pursue legal action. |
| Appointment of Merrick Garland | Biden chooses a cautious AG, signaling a reluctance to investigate Trump. |
Biden’s presidency, while marked by significant achievements, will forever be shadowed by the haunting question: did he truly fulfill his “one job”?
For more insights into Biden’s presidency and its implications, explore the full story here.
Biden’s Missed Opportunities: Filibuster Reform and the Supreme Court
President Joe Biden’s tenure has been marked by significant challenges, especially in addressing the structural flaws of American democracy. From his reluctance to reform the Senate filibuster to his handling of the supreme Court,Biden’s decisions—or lack thereof—have drawn criticism for enabling republican obstructionism and undermining progressive goals.
The Filibuster: A Relic of the Jim Crow Era
the Senate filibuster,an anti-majoritarian tool rooted in the Jim Crow era,has been a persistent obstacle to biden’s legislative agenda. Despite entering office in 2021 with the narrowest of Senate majorities, Biden refused to call for its abolition. “President Biden served in the Senate for a long time and he believes that if we can leave the filibuster in place, that’s what he prefers,” Ron Klain, then the White House chief of staff, told me during Biden’s first 100 days in office.
Republicans seized on this reluctance, using the filibuster to hobble the president’s ambitious policy agenda and even vowing to turn him into a “half-term president.” It wasn’t until 2022 that Biden endorsed mild filibuster reform—but only for voting rights and abortion rights. Critics argue this was “too little, too late,” as the damage to his legislative momentum had already been done.
The Supreme Court: A Missed Opportunity
Biden’s approach to the Supreme Court has also been a point of contention. Despite the court’s increasing politicization, Biden failed to push for meaningful reforms. His nomination of Merrick Garland, a once beloved figure among Republicans, was seen as a missed opportunity to address the court’s conservative tilt.
Garland’s tenure as Attorney General has been equally criticized. While he dispensed vague platitudes about accountability, he dragged his feet on investigating and prosecuting former President Donald Trump. “You couldn’t use the T word” at the DOJ, said one former official.
Biden himself later “grumbled to aides and advisers,” reported Politico in September 2024, “that had Garland moved sooner in his inquiry into former President Donald Trump’s election interference, a trial may already be underway or even have concluded.”
Yet, Trump returned to the Oval Office without facing trials for his actions surrounding January 6, 2021. On biden and Garland’s watch, we witnessed, to quote former DOJ prosecutor Ankush Khardori, “the greatest failure of federal law enforcement in American history.”
Key Failures and Their Impact
| Issue | Biden’s Approach | Outcome |
|————————–|————————————————————————————-|—————————————————————————–|
| Senate Filibuster | Refused to abolish; endorsed mild reform in 2022 | Republicans obstructed Biden’s agenda; reforms came too late |
| Supreme Court | nominated merrick Garland; failed to push for structural reform | Court remained conservative; Garland criticized for inaction on Trump |
| DOJ Investigations | Garland delayed investigations into Trump’s election interference | Trump returned to power without facing trials |
A Legacy of Missed Opportunities
Biden’s failure to reform broken political institutions has had far-reaching consequences. The filibuster and the Supreme Court remain tools of Republican obstruction, while the Department of Justice’s inaction has allowed trump to evade accountability. As the 2024 election looms, these missed opportunities underscore the challenges facing American democracy.For more insights into Biden’s presidency and its impact on U.S. politics, explore our in-depth analysis of his policy agenda and its hurdles.
Biden’s Delayed Exit: A Missed Opportunity for Democrats
As the 2024 presidential race unfolded, President Joe Biden’s decision to remain in the campaign until July 21 left the Democratic Party scrambling to recover. With Donald Trump dominating the Republican primaries and surging in the polls, Biden’s refusal to step aside earlier prevented the party from selecting a stronger, younger, and more popular candidate to face the GOP frontrunner.
When Biden finally withdrew from the race,it was too late for Democrats to organize a “blitz primary” or an “open convention” to identify the best possible nominee. Instead, Vice President Kamala Harris was thrust into the spotlight with just 107 days to salvage a faltering campaign. The task was nearly insurmountable, leaving many to wonder: What happened to Biden’s 2020 promise to serve as a “transition candidate” and a “bridge” to a new generation of Democratic leaders?
A Bridge That Never Crossed
In 2020, Biden positioned himself as a temporary figure, someone who would pave the way for younger leaders to take the reins. Though,as the 2024 election approached,that promise seemed forgotten. Had Biden publicly committed to serving only one term, the Democratic Party might have had the time and clarity to rally behind a more competitive candidate. Instead, his delayed exit left the party in disarray, with Harris inheriting a campaign that was already sinking.
The Supreme Court Conundrum
Biden’s reluctance to act decisively extended beyond the campaign trail. Despite calls from Democratic lawmakers to expand the Supreme Court, Biden initially resisted, only to propose reforms in the summer of 2024 after a Trump-packed court granted the former president presumptive immunity from criminal prosecution. By then, it was too little, too late. His belated push for a binding code of conduct and term limits for justices failed to address the urgency of the moment.
Playing Softball in a Hardball Game
Biden’s presidency was marked by a series of missed opportunities to assert Democratic priorities. When the unelected Senate parliamentarian blocked a minimum-wage increase from being included in a coronavirus relief bill, Biden’s spokesperson expressed disappointment but ultimately deferred to the decision. This pattern of hesitation and deference left many questioning whether Biden was willing to fight for the party’s agenda.
The Fallout
The consequences of Biden’s delayed exit and cautious leadership are now clear. With Harris unable to reverse the campaign’s downward trajectory, the Democratic Party faces an uphill battle to retain the white House. As Trump prepares to take the oath of office, many are left wondering what might have been had Biden stepped aside sooner.
| Key Moments in Biden’s 2024 Campaign |
|—————————————–|
| July 21, 2024: Biden withdraws from the race |
| Kamala Harris becomes the nominee with 107 days left |
| Missed opportunity for a “blitz primary” or “open convention” |
| Supreme Court reforms proposed too late |
A Legacy of Missed Opportunities
Biden’s presidency, once seen as a stabilizing force, has ended on a note of regret for many Democrats. His failure to act decisively on key issues and his delayed exit from the 2024 race have left the party grappling with what could have been. As the nation prepares for a new administration, the lessons of Biden’s tenure will undoubtedly shape the future of the Democratic party.
What do you think could have been done differently? Share your thoughts in the comments below.In a recent interview with Susan Page of USA Today, President Joe Biden made a bold claim: he insisted that he, unlike Vice President kamala Harris, would have defeated Donald Trump in the November election. The statement has sparked widespread debate, with critics questioning Biden’s self-assessment. “If Biden wasn’t delusional before,he certainly is now,” one commentator remarked.
This sentiment reflects a broader shift in public perception of Biden’s presidency. Just a year earlier, in the spring of 2023, biden was praised for his domestic policy achievements. During an interview promoting his book Win Every Argument, Mehdi Hasan described Biden as “the most extraordinary president of my lifetime,” comparing him favorably to predecessors like Reagan, Clinton, and Obama. “I never imagined I would say this – I was born in 1979 – I think he’s the most impressive president of my lifetime,” Hasan said.
However, the fall of 2023 marked a turning point. The horror show in Gaza, fueled by Biden’s lies about beheaded Israeli babies and his administration’s near-unlimited weaponry supply to Benjamin Netanyahu, tarnished his legacy. By the summer of 2024, Biden faced a televised humiliation during a debate, where it became evident to over 50 million viewers that his team had misled the public about his mental health. “Joe Biden had one job,” Hasan noted. “but because of his arrogance and intransigence, his caution and complacency, he failed.”
Today, Hasan’s assessment of Biden has shifted dramatically. “I consider Joe Biden to be not the most impressive but perhaps the second-worst president of my lifetime as he helped deliver a second term to the worst president of my lifetime,” he concluded.
Key Points Summary
| Aspect | Details |
|————————–|—————————————————————————–|
| Biden’s Claim | insisted he would have beaten Trump, unlike Harris. |
| Early Praise | Described as “the most impressive president of my lifetime” in 2023. |
| Gaza Conflict | Criticized for lies and weaponry supply to Netanyahu. |
| 2024 debate | Televised humiliation revealed concerns about his mental health. |
| Final Assessment | Considered the second-worst president for enabling Trump’s second term. |
Biden’s presidency, once celebrated for its domestic achievements, now faces scrutiny for its foreign policy missteps and perceived failures. The recent interview underscores the growing divide between his self-perception and public opinion. As the political landscape evolves, Biden’s legacy remains a topic of intense debate.
oe Biden reflected on his presidency and the 2024 campaign, acknowledging that he “could have made different decisions” but defended his approach as one grounded in stability and bipartisanship. Though,as the political landscape shifts and the democratic Party grapples with the fallout of his tenure,Biden’s legacy remains a topic of intense debate.
Key Questions for Reflection:
- Could Biden’s earlier exit have altered the Democratic Party’s trajectory in 2024?
- Why did Biden resist calls for more aggressive reforms to the Supreme Court and Senate filibuster?
- How will Democrats rebuild and strategize for future elections in light of these challenges?
Looking Ahead
The 2024 election has underscored the importance of timing,decisiveness,and adaptability in navigating the complexities of American politics. As the Democratic Party moves forward, it must confront the lessons of Biden’s presidency and chart a new path that addresses the concerns of its diverse coalition while effectively countering the rising influence of the GOP.
Engage with Us
What steps should the Democratic Party take to regain momentum? How can it avoid repeating the mistakes of the past? Share your insights and join the conversation below.
For further analysis, explore our comprehensive coverage of the 2024 election and its implications for U.S. politics here.
Key Takeaways
- Biden’s delayed exit from the 2024 race left Democrats with limited time to regroup and strategize.
- His cautious approach to Supreme Court and Senate filibuster reforms failed to address systemic challenges.
- The Democratic party now faces an uphill battle to rebuild and position itself for future elections.
As the political landscape continues to evolve,the lessons of Biden’s presidency will serve as a critical case study for understanding the interplay of leadership,timing,and institutional reform in shaping the future of American democracy.
