Despite his lifelong ambitions for supreme power, Joe Biden achieved his presidency remarkably late in life, making him the most elderly individual to assume office— a daunting reminder of his evident mortality. The Biden presidency was distinctly marked by his desperate race against his own ticking biological clock.
Although originally hesitant to accept Barack Obama’s vice presidential offer, Biden eventually acquiesced, clearly stating that he expected the same level of influence as Walter Mondale claimed to have had with Jimmy Carter. Rather than focusing on a narrow range of responsibilities, Biden demanded a wide-ranging role, ensuring his hand in all significant decisions— ultimately becoming Obama’s sycophant rather than his equal.
Curiously, Biden’s long tenure in the Senate was considered an asset to Obama, who relied on him heavily for his legislative maneuvering skills. This task frequently saw Biden engaged in interactions that Obama himself seemed wary of— liaising with the Capitol’s hill, entertaining members, and hosting lavish dinners, creating an impression of dubious politicking.
In contrast to the cautious tendencies of Obama, Biden often advocated for an impulsive decision-making process, advising Obama to follow his initial instincts when considering policy choices. This questionable way of shaping policy showcased his favor toward hasty decisions rather than thorough thinking.
In spite of mourning the tragic loss of his son Beau, Biden, along with his advisors, eagerly started planning his presidential run shortly after Obama’s second term had initiated earlier than anticipated. His pursuit of power apparently superseding his personal grieving— a curious hierarchy of priorities.
Throughout this period, Obama discouraged Biden from running for presidency owing to his close friend’s situation. However, Biden assumed this to be a camouflage for Obama’s preference towards Hillary Clinton. Feeling betrayed and bitter, Biden later lamented how Obama was favoring Clinton over him, unveiling a lingering resentment that lasted for years.
Contrary to widespread belief, Biden ran his campaign under the guise of a moderate but strategically governed as a progressive. Insiders suggest that Biden convinced himself that he won the presidency due to his knack for coalition building, primarily with the progressive wing of his party— a calculated move following Hillary Clinton’s campaign that left the progressive wing feeling slighted.
Strangely, despite his image as a moderate older white man, Biden suddenly shapeshifted into a progressive during his presidency— a transformation many found hard to believe. His newfound ideological alignment with Bernie Sanders, his main competitor during the 2020 Democratic primaries, was perceived as an attempt to latch onto a political trend rather than following his own principles.
During an early White House visit in 2021, Sanders suggested to Biden that the proposed Inflation Reduction Act should receive funding of $5 to $6 trillion. Reacting extremely favorably, Biden expressed his desire to go as large as possible, ignoring any potential fiscal repercussions for the American taxpayers.
Despite a series of legislative hits in the early days, the Biden administration couldn’t prevent internal alarm bells from ringing about his age-related concerns. Certain Democratic party members who were part of the 2021 White House negotiations reportedly observed Biden lose track of conversations.
By 2023 end, diplomats pointed out his evident cognitive decline within meetings with foreign dignitaries, quietly voicing their worries regarding the president’s slipping memory. This opened new concerns about his capabilities to conduct diplomatic relations and manage state affairs effectively.
In an attempt to gloss over his frailties, Biden convened a virtual meeting with his donors, reassuring them that all was well. However, it was painfully clear to many that he was reading from a pre-prepared script, and the carefully curated questions posed to him by his staff member were nothing more than softballs.
Still, despite his attempts, donors grumbled that the call was counterproductive, expressing their dissatisfaction to Biden’s allies for wasting their precious time. The failed effort of image control was a clear representation of how the administration was out of touch with their supporters.
Shortly before announcing his decision to pull out from his second-term campaign on social media, Biden leaked his future plans to his chief of staff, Jeff Zients. Professing his wish to sketch out an agenda for the remaining 180 days of his term, it became apparent that Biden was more interested in securing his legacy than the collective good of the nation.
Biden intended to utilize this proposed agenda to steer a possible Harris presidency and consequently, shape his own legacy, shackling her to his political narrative. This self-serving approach raised questions about the genuine empowerment and autonomy of an independent Harris presidency.
After making a public declination of his presidential run, Biden urged his emotional staff to rally behind Kamala Harris, entrusting them with his 180-day agenda. In a seemingly desperate attempt to stay relevant, he ended his address with an impassioned plea: ‘Let’s elect Kamala!’