Upon stepping foot in Chicago for the Democratic National Convention, President Joe Biden set the stage for his political finale. His long-spanning career in national politics, stretching over fifty years, appears to be drawing to a symbolic close. This diligent Delaware-native, the son of Scranton, Pennsylvania, manifested a career in politics ridden with personal adversity while revolutionizing policy, and often found himself in the spotlight during pivotal moments of American history.
Tracing back to Biden’s long and influential political journey, an overview of his career can help paint a clearer picture. Known for being an agile political veteran, his ending was abrupt, even as his legacy continues to unfurl. Reflecting on his years in politics, from his initial win to his retirement from political races, Biden’s life story seems to provide a blueprint for understanding the intricacies of American politics.
In 1970, a young lawyer in Delaware embarked on his first political voyage, an election for a seat on the New Castle County Council from the Fourth County Council District. Biden, fresh from law practice, scored his first win, marking the beginning of his political career. This victory set the stage for the many triumphs and trials to come.
Two years later, in 1972, Biden advanced to the Senate, clinching a victory over the two-term Republican incumbent J. Caleb Boggs. Despite being just old enough to qualify for a Senate seat, Biden was considered an unlikely candidate, but still managed to claim a seat he would hold for over thirty years.
Tragedy struck shortly after his election to the Senate. In the midst of his celebratory surge, sadness cast a shadow as Biden lost his wife, Nelia, and their one-year-old daughter, Naomi, in a devastating car accident. The event also left their sons, Beau and Hunter, severely injured as the family was preparing for the Christmas season.
Biden first set his eyes on the presidential seat in 1987. On June 9, he announced his intent to run for the Democratic presidential nomination. Considered a leading contender initially, his campaign was derailed by an unfortunate array of events including convoluted messaging and various allegations of plagiarism and embellishment of personal history. Subsequently, before reaching the primaries or caucus for the 1988 nomination, Biden suspended his candidacy.
In 1991, Biden found himself heading two consequential Supreme Court confirmation hearings as the chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee. His handling of Robert Bork’s nomination was lauded for its fairness and geniality. However, Bork’s nomination fell short in front of the committee, and was later defeated in the Senate. In both instances, Biden opposed Bork’s nomination.
Biden’s role in the Senate Judiciary Committee was further highlighted during the nomination hearing for Clarence Thomas in 1991. Thomas, miffed by Biden’s line of questioning during the encounter, described it as a direct attack. Following an accusation of sexual harassment by Anita Hill against Thomas, the hearings were reopened. Despite this controversy, Thomas eventually secured his position in the Supreme Court, even as Biden voted against him.
In 1994, Biden played a significant role in passing the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act, better known as the 1994 Crime Bill. The legislation included a ban on assault weapons, the introduction of the Violence Against Women Act, and an expansion of the use of the death penalty for federal crimes. However, Biden later acknowledged that the bill, which enforced unfavorable sentences for crimes related to crack cocaine, was an error, regretting its detrimental impact on the Black American community.
2008 marked Biden’s second attempt at the presidency. He launched his campaign on January 7, 2007, but his bid was short-lived after placing fifth at the Iowa Caucuses. Despite his unsuccessful run, he later clinched a historic role as Vice President after Barack Obama selected him as his running mate. The duo went on to win the election, and Biden assumed office as the Vice President on January 20, 2009.
In 2015, personal tragedy once again befall Biden as his eldest son, Beau Biden, succumbed to brain cancer. This heartbreaking event likely deterred Biden from running for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2016.
Biden’s third bid for presidency occurred in the turbulent year of 2020, marked by the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. Initially lagging behind rivals Pete Buttigieg and Bernie Sanders, Biden emerged as the Democratic frontrunner after a victory in the South Carolina primary. His eventual triumph over Donald Trump was marred with controversy, as Trump and his supporters attempted various schemes to claim the election, culminating in the insurrection at the capitol.
Biden assumed office as the 46th President of the United States on January 20, 2021. His presidency was, from the start, weighed down by the pandemic and charged with the responsibility of vaccine distribution. In addition, Biden responded to climate change by rejoining the Paris Climate Agreement, championing infrastructure and climate conscious legislation, navigating a contentious departure from Afghanistan, and being at the forefront to defend Ukraine against Russian aggression.
However, a defining moment of his presidency was determined by a Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. The impact on abortion rights became a central issue in the 2022 election cycle. This issue saw Democrats, led by Biden, campaign fervently against a predicted Republican-dominated election.
In 2023, Biden initiated his campaign for a second term. The campaign was fraught with questions concerning Biden’s mental and physical health, largely owing to his age. This concern was intensified after the first presidential debate where Biden seemed to struggle with verbal mistakes and low energy. Further speculation about his continued candidacy arose following the announcement of his COVID-19 diagnosis.
Ultimately, Biden withdrew from the presidential race and put his support behind Vice President Kamala Harris in July. His political odyssey ended on a note of respect and inspiration, reminding us of the highs and lows that have shaped American political history.