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Biden’s Failed Legacy: Unfulfilled Promises and Rising Issues

Joe Biden’s presidency was marketed as a hopeful treatment for national turmoil. Pledging to ‘revive the spirit’ of America, Biden planned to relegate Donald Trump’s presidency to a trivial footnote in American history. His strategy was to bring things back to the status quo – a feat that he failed to achieve. Regardless of his efforts negotiating across the aisle and garnering international support, he could not overwrite Trump’s imprint.

Four years after Biden’s victory over Trump, the tables turned dramatically. Trump was elected to replace Biden – a painful conclusion for a career politician nearing the end of his active years. This will likely taint how Biden’s administration is remembered. ‘Reality is, the deviation from normal didn’t cease. Perhaps he misjudged the opposition he would face.’

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As his term comes to a close, it is still uncertain how Biden will reconcile his lofty aspirations for his presidency with its actual results. In a letter to the American people ahead of his final address, Biden acknowledges an unfulfilled promise from his campaign. ‘I ran on the basis that America’s essence was in jeopardy. Our identity was at stake,’ Biden conceded, ‘And that’s still the scenario.’

However, only a fraction of the populace rated Biden, a Democrat, as an effective president based on recent polls. Despite optimistic assertions from his followers that time will swing opinions in their favor, anticipation for Trump’s promised dynamic reforms is more overt.

Biden’s political journey has continually been punctuated by his age. He saw a meteoric rise, becoming the youngest senator in U.S. history at 30. He ran for president twice before securing a position as Barack Obama’s Vice President in 2008. Shifting from keen novice to seasoned leader, Biden’s message resonated with societal moods.

Biden manifested empathy, contrasting Trump’s perceived cold-hearted take on the COVID-19 pandemic, and pledged stability in place of turmoil. He sought to solidify his legacy as a transformative figure rather than simply a placeholder.

Enacted legislation under his term included heavy capital allocation to infrastructure, green energy and semiconductor production, all contributing to economic recovery from the pandemic. He took some steps to curb prescription drug costs and tighten regulations on firearm purchases. However, his efforts fell short regarding social services expansion, such as reducing child care costs and implementing long-term schemes to alleviate child poverty.

Overseas, Biden struggled with the complex U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan and campaigned for Western support to defend Ukraine against Russian influence. He remained staunchly supportive of Israel amidst Hamas attacks, which invited criticism from those advocating for better civilian protections. Despite the accomplishments he laid claim to, there were lingering issues that voters could not ignore, including rising expenses and unchecked immigration at the southern border.

Undeterred by mounting issues, Biden sought re-election, dismissive of concerns about his age. His persistence would prove fruitless as he had to withdraw from the race after a poor debate performance against Trump. This elicited a crisis of confidence among his party, which had already been united by the mutual goal of preventing Trump’s comeback.

Days after the election results, Biden delivered an address in the Rose Garden, painting an upbeat outlook, saying, ‘The American experiment continues, and we’re going to be alright, but we must stay engaged. We must persist. And, most importantly, we must keep trust.’ He remained hopelessly optimistic, despite his failed bid for re-election juxtaposing his claims.

When questioned about whether his decision to run for re-election facilitated Trump’s resurgence, Biden responded, ‘I don’t think so.’ Contrary to all evidence, Biden stubbornly maintained that his victory was possible, had he not withdrawn from the race.

In the end, Biden’s political career trajectory was unable to overcome the rising tide of Trump’s popularity. His legacy, punctuated by half-fulfilled promises and an inability to decisively turn the nation’s trajectory, drew criticism. The notion that he was in any way able to restore the soul of America, as Biden claimed, seems doubtful to many.

Politically, Biden might represent the past, but his supposedly transformative administration was unable to outshine the populist and right-wing momentum that appears to be the future of American politics. His failure to leave a lasting positive impact further questions his administration’s effectiveness and the direction of United States politics.

Biden’s steadfast belief in his ability to steer the nation in a desired direction contrasted starkly with the country’s reality. Now, Trump stands ready to reassume the presidency, offering a return to decisive leadership alongside promises of a more forceful agenda to decisely shape the nation.

Biden’s presidency, plagued by unmet promises and insurgency of problems at home and overseas, signals a volatile chapter in American politics. Distinct from his predecessors’ ability to steer the country’s course, Biden’s limited influence will cast a long shadow over how his tenure in the Oval Office is remembered.