Biden’s bid for reelection: What does it mean for the Democratic Party?
Article by Rhea Gupta, TPT Co-Editor in Chief
US President Joe Biden has officially announced his 2024 reelection bid, asking voters to extend his presidency for another four years. Although he is facing no serious Democratic opponents, in a country so politically divided, the road to reelection will be difficult. He is the oldest American president to date, causing some to doubt his leadership capabilities and question his ability to run the country. However, Biden’s public approval rating edged up this month to 42%, the highest it has been since March. Using the Democratic National Committee resources, he plans to raise nearly $2 billion dollars for his campaign.
Recent events and data prove that the election ahead will be evenly matched, heavily partisan, and merciless. Republican US House of Representatives Speaker Kevin McCarthy called for an impeachment inquiry into Biden this month. Republicans have accused Biden of allegedly profiting from his son Hunter Biden’s foreign business ventures during his vice presidency. Considering that this claim has virtually no basis, some Republican voters consider it an overreach – meaning that the probe could have the opposite effect on voters than originally intended. However, if Biden were to be impeached, it could lead to a loss of credibility for the Democratic party and sway the election in former President Trump’s favor. The decision is politically risky, and the outcome could greatly influence the election.
As for data, a poll from CNN released this month pegged Biden’s job-approval rating at 39% – with 58% of Americans disapproving of his presidency thus far. The CNN poll states that 58% of voters believe that the economy has worsened under Biden’s leadership. The New York Times Siena College Poll delivered more tough news, showing that Biden’s support among non-white voters has slipped from 70% in the 2020 election, to 53% this month.
In my opinion, Biden is definitely not the best candidate for the 2024 election. Because he is an incumbent, no serious democratic candidate is running against him. This leaves an increasingly old candidate base, with the same drawn out opinions, perspectives, and promises. We are asked to choose between a 80 year old and a 77 year old, knowing that neither of them can reflect the opinions & values of a large majority of the voter population. If I were old enough to vote, I would do it simply based on keeping Trump out of office rather than Biden’s qualifications. Don’t get me wrong, an election where Trump wins would be absolutely catastrophic, but an election where Biden wins isn’t the best case scenario.
This said, Biden has enacted many laws benefiting the American public. In August of 2022, he signed the Inflation Reduction Act into law, extending subsidies that make the ACA (Affordable Care Act) more affordable. This will prevent an estimated 3 million Americans from losing their insurance. The act is predicted to create nearly 9 million jobs over the next decade, and accelerate private companies' transition to clear energy technologies (the act adopts money from tax credits to incentivize businesses to shift towards renewable energy sources). He passed the most consequential federal gun safety bill in decades in the aftermath of the Uvalde shooting, enhancing gun checks for prospective buyers under the age of 21.
Biden may be old, but he has passed some of the biggest, most consequential legislation in decades. His impact has reverberated across America, helping many with medical expenses, safety issues, federal loans – the list goes on and on. Although it would be nice to have someone younger in office, the best we can do now is make sure that Biden wins.
Sources:
https://www.reuters.com/graphics/USA-BIDEN/POLL/nmopagnqapa/