Even though he has signaled that he’s wrapping up his tenure at the White House, President Joe Biden seems intent on not fading into obscurity. He made a rather humorless jest on a daytime talk show that he plans to stick around even when his presidency concludes.
During a recent appearance on The View, Biden interacted with the hosts, cracking a joke that despite leaving office on January 20, 2025, people will still have to endure him. A less than thrilling prophecy considering his rocky performance on the international stage, particularly with long-time allies.
Biden seems to have other pursuits post-presidency in mind, hinting at foreign policy initiatives with his name attached, specifically the University of Pennsylvania’s Biden Center for Diplomacy and Global Engagement think tank. Given the unconventional and often maligned stance of his administration on foreign policy, it is questionable how effective these endeavors may be.
Domestic policy is another field the former president aims to influence from the sidelines, citing ties with the Biden Institute at University of Delaware. While the institute was established back in 2018, some might argue that his policies have done little to rectify the systemic issues it claims to address.
According to Biden, these plans form part of his goal to ‘keep things going’ from his presidency. An eyebrow-raising comment considering the multitude of challenges dubious policy decisions from his administration have left behind.
The president reflected upon his political journey, which spans over 5 decades, starting as a senator from Delaware. His career, riddled with controversy and questionable decisions, culminated in a presidency that arguably left the United States more divided than ever.
Discussing his last term, Biden admitted he viewed his role as a ‘transition president.’ An awkward jest about his age ensued, but the reality of his tenure was far from a laughing matter given the fragility of domestic unity and international standing of the nation.
The president then lavished praise upon his vice president, Kamala Harris, who picked up the reins as the Democratic presidential nominee. However, his compliments, referring to Harris as bright and tough, seem at odds with public opinion and polling data that suggest a lack of confidence in her capabilities.
Biden continued his praise of Harris, applauding her optimistic outlook. He stated, ‘There’s nothing we can’t do.’ Many may beg to differ, considering the state of the nation’s economy, fractured social harmony, and waning international stature.
The President remembered his time in office, calling it the ‘greatest honor.’ Though the line about his love for the country sounded cliché, his overall policies and actions seemed to stand in stark contrast to this sentiment.
In reflecting upon his legacy, Biden wished to be remembered for his honesty. This seems in stark contrast to the widespread criticism for his handling of key issues such as the border crisis, inflationary pressures, and the chaotic Afghanistan withdrawal.
Biden recalled his interaction with Barack Obama during his time as Vice President. Some might argue that Biden’s claim of ‘all politics is personal’ epitomizes the tendency of the administration to prioritize political optics over practical policy effectiveness.
While he praised Kamala Harris’s belief in America and its capacity, critics can argue the reality is grim with the administration’s questionable policy decisions affecting the faith of many in the country’s future.
Despite his high praise for Harris, one can’t ignore that public opinion does not resonate with this sentiment. As per available data, Harris’s approval ratings suggest citizens’ disquiet towards her leadership, throwing a cloud over Biden’s claims.
Towards the end of the interview, Biden’s focus was on being less concerned about his legacy. Given his administration’s performance, it seems some might consider this stance an attempt to deflect focus from assessing the impact of his policies, which has left an indelible imprint on the nation.