Joe Biden’s 2023 resolution: Deciding whether or not to run for a second term
Joe Biden left Washington on Tuesday, leaving behind a blizzard devastating the northern United States for a vacation in the Caribbean, where he is expected to ponder a long-awaited resolution for 2023: deciding whether or not to run for president in 2024.
The White House tenant was the subject of heavy criticism Tuesday morning on the conservative Fox News channel, with commentators accusing him of “preparing to have a good time” as Americans battled a snowstorm that has already caused at least 50 deaths.
He’s headed to the US Virgin Islands, for some sunny vacation coming after an eventful 2022.
The last few months could have reinforced this recent octogenarian in his desire to stay four more years in the White House.
The first half of his term saw the peak and revival of the Covid-19 pandemic, a humiliating exit from war in Afghanistan, inflation at a 40-year high, and the aftermath of his Republican predecessor Donald Trump’s attempt to upset the American democratic system.
In 2022, his party limited the breakage, even won seats, in the midterm elections, before the adoption in December of a law protecting same-sex marriage. Concerning gasoline prices at the pump, after a spectacular surge, they are almost back to normal.
And on the international scene, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in Ukraine resulted in the formation of a US-backed alliance that continues to hold after more than ten months. Finally, in its rivalry with Beijing, Washington has renewed its commitment to its Asian allies.
At the same time, Republicans in Congress face some disorganization even as they prepare to regain control of the House of Representatives in January, and Donald Trump, still the dominant figure in the party, faces multiple legal threats.
No wonder Joe Biden rejoiced in a column published by Yahoo News just before Christmas.
“As we take stock of the year 2022 – and look at what lies ahead – I have never been more confident in what the American people and the American economy can achieve,” he said. written.
– The question of age –
In US history, sitting presidents almost always run for re-election at the end of their first term – and often win.
Only three presidents who have served a first full term have not stood for another four years. Trump is on the short list of presidents whose bid for re-election has failed.
However, the narrative changes when you consider Joe Biden’s age.
He would be 82 at a potential second inauguration and 86 at the end of a second term, nearly ten years older than the previous White House old age record holder, Ronald Reagan, who left the White House at 77.
Whether age matters for occupying the White House is a matter of debate among political commentators. An often brutal debate.
Octogenarian Joe Biden has some typical signs of old age: thinner hair, a stiff gait, a few falls, and frequent speech problems.
A year ago, however, the White House doctor concluded that he was “fit” to perform his duties. A new annual medical report should also be made public soon.
As for the main concerned, he wants Americans to judge him on his results, saying that age is just a number. “Look at me”, he likes to say.
A decision to run would trigger an all-out battle for the remainder of his term. It could end with a rematch against Trump, who has already declared his candidacy.
If Joe Biden decides to step down, however, his Vice President Kamala Harris would be in pole position, but could have many opponents, and cause destructive internal disputes for the Democrats.
What will or will not be decided by Joe Biden in the Caribbean will initially remain a closely guarded secret.
But his chief of staff Ron Klain has already said the announcement was only a matter of time.
“The president will make that decision, I think, shortly after the holidays,” he said this month, adding that he expected Joe Biden to be a candidate for re-election.