This past weekend, the decision was made for President Joe Biden that he would not continue pursuing a second term in office. This should come as a major relief to all Americans, as we no longer in danger of having a president in the cognitive decline Biden is currently in. Regardless of your party affiliation, this should come as a relief.
However, now that the President’s future is no longer in doubt, we can take a look at what will be his enduring legacy. For this, we will split this into two parts: his legacy among Republicans, and his legacy among Democrats and Independents.
First, let’s look at the easier of the two – Joe Biden’s legacy among Republicans. Obviously, Republicans will view Biden as one of the worst presidents in recent memory, maybe rivaled only by Jimmy Carter. He will forever be remembered as the president who presided over a disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan that left the country in the hands of brutal Taliban rule, 13 American service members dead, as well as countless Afghani citizens who had helped the United States military in very undesirable circumstances.
Joe Biden will also be remembered as the president who presided over the worst border crisis in the country’s history, to the point where he lost major support from traditionally inner-city sure-fired Democrats. He also was the president who saw two major global conflicts erupt under his presidency, all the while presenting himself as being too old and senile to be up for the job, and presented himself as weak on the global stage. He also oversaw a financial crisis that saw inflation rates rise to close to 10% year-over-year.
And of course, Joe Biden will be remembered by Republicans, despite there not being any proof, as the guy who allowed and enabled his family members to present themselves internationally as people who have the ear of the president. They were able to trade on the Biden name.
Basically, nothing can improve Biden’s standing with Republicans except the passage of time, and the next Democrat president to wipe away memories of the current one. Biden’s approval rating with Republicans has averaged around 5%. For contrast purposes, Barak Obama averaged 13% throughout his presidency.
The more complicated legacy is how he will be remembered by Democrats. Currently, Democrats see him first and foremost as the one who defeated Donald Trump in the 2020 presidential election, and “put the adults back in charge.” He also is seen as the one who oversaw the recovery from Covid, and how well the country did economically in comparison to the rest of the world.
Democrats see Biden as the leader who was able to pass a major bipartisan infrastructure bill as well as a gun safety bill, the CHIPS Act for semiconductors, and his response to the war in Ukraine and Israel.
However, currently, President Biden’s approval rating among Democrats stands at about 65%. Compare that to the end of Obama’s second term, when he was at 85% among Democrats.
And this is where Joe Biden’s legacy gets complicated. It all depends on what happens in November. If the Democrat nominee ends up winning and the Dems retain the White House, Democrats will hail Biden as a hero of the republic, brave for exiting the race so others can lead. However, if Donald Trump reassumes the POTUS position, Biden will be seen as the man who held onto power way too long. He will be remembered as Neville Chamberlain, a weak leader who let the most evil man in the world rise to power.
Never before has someone’s legacy been tied so closely to the results of an election that will take place after his administration is over and done with.
