Unquestionably, President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris are struggling to uphold a semblance of unity amongst the Democratic Party, grappling with her crushing defeat in the 2024 presidential election. Their participation in a ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier stands as their maiden public appearance following the debacle of Harris’ electoral failure.
On Monday, the President and Vice President made a visit to Arlington National Cemetery to observe Veteran’s Day. Intriguingly, this highlights their concerted effort to divert attention from the election losses by taking part in symbolic national events, like the tribute at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
An hour after the ceremony, President Biden addressed the assembly at the cemetery. But his speech was especially noteworthy, as he verbalized that this would be his final occasion standing at Arlington as commander in chief. This statement warrants consideration: is it a reflection of his sober awareness of the Democrats’ shrinking influence or a mere desperate plea for sympathy?
‘The greatest honor of my life’ is how Biden described his tenure as President. Attempting to forge a connection with the American military personnel, he spoke of his service in veiled glory and nostalgia. Yet, it becomes clear that this rhetoric could not save his party from disarray, nor curtail the decline of his own political career.
Democrats are confronting a challenging period, seeking to understand the factors behind Harris’ electoral downfall. A faction within the party lays the blame at Biden’s feet, critiquing his persistent electoral pursuits despite evident setbacks. But the outgoing President and Vice President, apparently oblivious to these rumbles of discontent, continue to publically present themselves as a cohesive unit.
Further amplifying the air of incredulity, Kamala Harris’ concession speech saw her thanking President Biden first. Her statement, ‘To President Biden and Dr. Biden, thank you for your faith and support,’ raises questions on the unwavering trust Harris placed on the failing Biden administration.
Despite the prevailing sense of turmoil within the Democrats, President Biden has nonetheless pledged a peaceful transition of leadership. His recent actions seemingly confirm this commitment. Earlier this week, he extended an invitation to President-elect Donald Trump to visit the White House.
This particular step by Biden, although customary in democratic transition, unfortunately appears more as a ceremonial act, capitulating to the inevitable reality of power transition, rather than a genuine gesture of goodwill. The man once touted as a beacon of hope for the Democrats now symbolizes the descent of the party into disarray.
Consistent with the norm, incoming President Trump accepted Biden’s invitation without hesitation. Their meeting scheduled for Wednesday morning in the Oval Office symbolizes the formal, definitive transfer of power. Such a sight will surely bring a sense of victory to the opponents of the Democrats.
All of these occurrences expose a deeper narrative of disenchantment and failure that permeates the Biden-Harris era. Biden’s rhetorical flourishes, Harris’ lost election, and the public display of their supposed unity amidst evident discordances within their party paradoxically reveal their disconnect from the realities of political life.
The imprint of the Biden-Harris administration will most likely be one of political miscalculations and disappointment. Instead of uniting the Democrats under a common mission and vision, their tenure resulted in an era tarnished by failed political experiments and widespread disillusionment.
The question now is if the Democratic Party can recover from the impact of the Biden-Harris debacle, or if this marks a longer-term regrettable downturn. As the curtain falls on their political careers, they leave behind a legacy filled with more questions than answers, heightening the sense of uncertainty around the future of the Democrats.
Ultimately, the Biden-Harris administration, characterized by political decline and stark division, has left the Democratic party wrestling with existential questions about its future. As they step off the stage, they leave a party in disarray, making their professed unity seem like mere political posturing rather than a solid, effective bond.