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As President Joe Biden approaches his final week in the White House, he is about to realize just how little his decades of dedication to the Democratic Party will mean once he steps outside the Oval Office.
In these concluding days, Biden can’t help but feel a sense of frustration, if not outright betrayal, as his job approval ratings plummet to levels reminiscent of former President Jimmy Carter. Last week, Biden delivered a tribute to Carter, a fellow one-term Democrat who faced a disenchanted public that ushered him out in favor of an unconventional candidate. Compounding his challenges, devastating fires in California forced him to scrap plans for a final overseas trip to Italy and the Vatican. On Monday evening, he is set to deliver the first of two speeches aimed at enhancing his legacy, though they are unlikely to reignite enthusiasm among his party’s supporters as he transitions into a role of elder statesman.
The statistics paint a stark picture: only 37% of Americans approve of Biden’s performance, a slight improvement over Carter’s exit rating by about five points, yet a significant drop from the 53% approval rate he enjoyed at the beginning of his presidency, according to FiveThirtyEight’s polling. An Associated Press-NORC poll indicates Biden’s approval stands at 39%, with only 72% of Democrats supporting him, down from a staggering 97% when he took office. Furthermore, more than half of Democrats—55%—expressed that they feel no better off now than they did before Biden’s presidency began, as per the same poll. In essence, Biden is not seen as a leader capable of guiding a party that now feels sidelined in the corridors of power, much like the President himself.
Since the midterm elections, a subdued but widespread discontent has emerged regarding Biden’s choices, particularly following the Democrats’ unexpectedly strong performance in the 2022 midterms, which briefly raised hopes for retaining the White House in 2024. Biden’s commitment to pursuing another four years now appears misguided, though he himself remains resolute. In a recent interview, he confidently asserted that he would have defeated Trump if they faced off again.
“It’s presumptuous to say that, but I think yes,” Biden remarked in an exclusive print exit interview with USA Today.
His persistent optimism has only drained the already limited goodwill left for him among Democrats. His decision to pardon his son, Hunter Biden, complicated the party’s stance on equal treatment under the law, particularly when juxtaposed with Trump’s legal troubles. His awarding of the nation’s highest civilian honors to figures like George Soros and Hillary Clinton drew significant backlash from conservative circles, while a bipartisan effort to honor the late Governor George Romney received mixed reactions, despite the more favorable reviews he garnered for his efforts to empty federal death row.
As Monday approaches, Biden will deliver his first farewell address at the State Department, focusing on what his administration views as foreign policy successes. However, his critics within the Democratic Party are quick to point out the setbacks, including the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan and ongoing conflicts in the Middle East, not to mention the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine and an assertive China. Given Biden’s extensive background as a senior Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and his roles as Vice President and President, this legacy-focused speech seems fitting, especially for a nation that may not be deeply engaged in international affairs.
Following that, he plans to give a more traditional farewell from the Oval Office on Wednesday before returning to Delaware next Monday.
Discontent with outgoing Presidents is certainly not a novel phenomenon. Even among Democrats, there was a sense of fatigue by the time Obama delivered his farewell speech in Chicago, where he had first launched his political career. George W. Bush’s final months were overshadowed by crises, including a financial meltdown and an auto industry bailout, leading him to prioritize legacy-building trips abroad over attending the GOP convention. Bill Clinton left office as a popular figure, yet his Vice President, Al Gore, deliberately distanced himself as he sought to maintain Democratic control in the White House.
To be transparent, Biden’s situation appears more dire than that of his predecessors, according to polling data. Public sentiment has soured against him, with some Democrats blaming him for paving the way for another Trump administration. Even his loyal supporters seem hesitant to reflect on his legacy. Although White House aides argue convincingly that Biden’s legislative accomplishments rival those of previous Presidents, a legacy is often shaped by public perception rather than facts. This has been evident in past elections, as seen with Trump’s third campaign, Obama’s effective messaging during the 2008 crisis, and Bush’s promises of decency following Clinton’s scandals.
However, Biden shouldn’t lose hope: history shows that former Presidents often see their reputations shift after leaving office.
In this regard—more than any polished speech or favorable narrative crafted by his writing team—Biden should find solace. While current polling reflects a historic low, there remains ample opportunity for resurgence, often occurring relatively quickly. Gallup routinely conducts follow-up polls with former Presidents, and initial assessments often reveal significant improvements: Ronald Reagan saw a 15-point jump, Carter experienced a 12-point rise, and George H.W. Bush enjoyed a 10-point increase in approval ratings. Perhaps, after some time away from the spotlight, the nation might offer Biden a similar opportunity for redemption—though it won’t change the fact that he may never hold the position he has aspired to for most of his life. Snap judgments—just like elections—can sometimes misinterpret the bigger picture.
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