Anatomy of a Fall: Biden Passes the Torch

AFP/APP

Washington: Four years ago, as he campaigned for the White House, Joe Biden envisioned himself as a one-term president, a transitional leader bridging the chaotic years of Donald Trump to a new generation of Democratic leaders.

“I view myself as a bridge, not as anything else,” Biden stated at a campaign event in March 2020. At that time, younger politicians, including Kamala Harris, who ultimately became his running mate, were vying for the spotlight.

Biden’s mission was clear: defeat Trump and then gracefully step aside after one term. He achieved his goal, ousting Trump, who never acknowledged his defeat.

Now, at 81, Biden will indeed serve only one term, but under challenging circumstances. Concerns about his age and mental acuity have intensified, leading to his decision to withdraw from the 2024 race.

On Sunday, Biden announced that he would not seek re-election, succumbing to mounting pressure from polls indicating that even many within his own party felt he was too old to serve another term.

Presidents often face losses in midterm elections, but Biden and the Democrats did unexpectedly well in 2022. Their success was partly due to public backlash against the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn the federal right to abortion, a ruling influenced by three conservative justices appointed by Trump.

Buoyed by this strong performance, Biden announced his intention to run for a second term in April 2023. “When I ran for president four years ago, I said we are in a battle for the soul of America. And we still are,” he declared in his 2024 campaign announcement.

Despite facing no serious opposition in the Democratic primary, whispers of Biden’s age persisted. “No, I’d like to see a generational change,” remarked Tim Ryan, a Democratic senator from Ohio.

Biden’s age became a more pressing issue after a poor performance in a debate with Trump on June 27. With 50 million viewers watching, Biden struggled with his speech, appearing disoriented and incoherent at times.

The backlash was swift, with calls for him to step aside growing louder, warning that he might not only lose to Trump but also jeopardize his legacy and the Democratic Party’s future.

Despite these concerns, Biden remained resolute, insisting he was the only candidate capable of defeating Trump again. However, while recovering from a Covid infection at his beach house, he decided to step back from the campaign trail.

On Sunday, Biden made a final announcement on X, stating that stepping aside was in the best interest of the country and his party.