Before this triumphant season, the US president's greatest legacy was to prevent Donald Trump's re-election in 2020. Two Trump terms.
Portland, Maine — Suddenly, a story about Joe Biden Changed. Yesterday he was sluggish and old. Today he is wise and successful, a reversal of the Olympian's fortunes.
Yes he is the same old man — Joseph Robinette Biden — not necessarily the same president. , is now the morning dove in America.
Not so, but summer is forever on the political carousel and it has been a satisfying season for Biden. It makes no sense to blame him for the collapse of "Build Back Better" or for the attack on voting rights in deficit states. I don't blame him for inflation (mainly due to the post-pandemic economy and the war in Ukraine), let alone shortages of formula and airport chaos.
His popularity plummeted amid the national turmoil. He was the destiny of the leader of Western democracies.
Consider the unpopularity of Justin Trudeau, France's Emmanuel Macron and Germany's Olaf Scholz. Consider the fate of England's Boris Johnson and Italy's Mario Draghi. It is not an easy time to govern.
In the United States, rising prices were thought to be worse than record job creation. As economist Paul Krugman points out, the much-vaunted “Biden boom” has come true. It is overshadowed by very high gas prices and labor shortages.
Not now, says the story. Congressional Democrats have launched legislation after a year of paralysis. In recent weeks, they've passed gun control bills, expanded veterans' rights, and manufactured semiconductors in the country, all with Republican support.
Most importantly, the enactment of the Inflation Reduction Actto combat climate change and reduce prescription drug prices is imminent. These are key party priorities thought dead after a year of fruitless debate. Bill Gates said the bill "may be the most important environmental law in American history." Whatever it was, despite the concessions, Biden pretty much got what he wanted.
This legislation, combined with his trillion-dollar investment in COVID-19 relief and infrastructure, creates a solid legislative record. Biden isn't his FDR (comparisons were made when he took office in 2021), but it's worth noting what he's accomplished.
Are these laws flawed? yes. We have far less gun control than we need and much less investment in infrastructure than suggested. The Inflation Reduction Act encourages fossil fuels and maintains questionable corporate tax cuts. This is the price of compromise.
Biden rallied the Atlantic Alliance against Russia, expanded his NATO to include Norway and Finland,just as he killed his deputy commander. To, complete admiration. Qaida (even if the importance of Ayman al his Zawahiri has been exaggerated). He is also credited with increasing the diversity of federal judge appointments and appointing the first black woman to the U.S. Supreme Court.
Having enacted part of his agenda would make it easier for Biden not to run for office again in his 2024. Before this busy season, his greatest achievement was preventing Donald from his Trump reelection in 2020. His biggest challenge now is to keep his difficult presidency from becoming a void between his two Trump terms.
Will all of this make a difference in his November midterm elections? History suggests that ambitious social reforms, such as Lyndon Johnson's Great Societyand Barack Obama's Universal Health Care, will not be rewarded by voters. In fact, the Democrats lost heavily in his 1966 and his 2010 midterm elections.
This year may be different. Biden's achievements may prevent a wave of elections this fall in which Democrats lose the House and win the Senate. Roe v. WadeOverthrow, startling revelation of January 19th. Fears of hearings and the return of House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy and his fanatical co-religionists to power could limit Republican interests.
74} So far, Washington's story is markedly different. For now, Joe Biden is clad in clover and enjoying a summer of success.Andrew Cohen is a journalist and professor at Carleton University,Two Days in June: John F. Kennedy and the 48 Hours of History-Making Author}
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