Biden thought he could breeze through the last few weeks of his presidency. He thought wrong.
And Joe Biden turned white as a ghost after this last minute report hit his desk.
A recent Gallup poll reveals that a majority of Americans believe President Joe Biden will be remembered as a “poor” to “below average” leader. The survey, released on Tuesday, highlights a grim outlook on Biden’s presidential legacy, with 37% predicting he will be viewed as a “below average” president and 17% calling his performance outright “poor.”
On the other end of the spectrum, just 6% of respondents felt Biden would be remembered as an “outstanding” president, while 13% anticipated his legacy might land “above average.” Another 26% expected his tenure to be rated as simply “average.”
Biden’s overall net positive rating of -35 percentage points ranks him near the bottom of the historical list of presidents Gallup has analyzed. Only former President Richard Nixon, who left office amid the Watergate scandal, fared worse, with a net positive rating of -42 points.
In contrast, President-elect Donald Trump received a -4 percentage point net positive rating for his first term, reflecting a highly polarized view of his presidency. Trump earned relatively high positive (40%) and negative (44%) ratings, along with the fewest average ratings (16%) among the 10 presidents Gallup surveyed.
At the top of the spectrum, former President John F. Kennedy retained the highest net positive rating, at an impressive +68 percentage points.
Even within his own party, Biden’s ratings were tepid. Among Democrats, 54% said the president’s legacy would fall between “average” and “poor,” while only 44% believed he would be remembered as “above average” or “outstanding.” Gallup observed, “Biden’s fellow Democrats are less enthusiastic about his presidency than they are about other recent Democratic presidents, and Biden is the only recent Democratic president who currently has a net-negative evaluation among independents.”
The president faced significant political and public relations challenges during his time in office. Allegations that members of his family, including his son Hunter Biden and brother James Biden, profited from an influence-peddling scheme cast a shadow over his administration. Biden endured an impeachment inquiry over these claims, though he was never formally impeached.
Additionally, his presidency was marred by criticism over the chaotic U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, which saw the Taliban quickly retake control of the country, and record-high illegal border crossings under his administration.
Gallup noted, however, that perceptions of past presidents, including Jimmy Carter, George W. Bush, and Trump, have improved over time. This suggests that Biden’s legacy might also soften in the years ahead.
The poll findings lend credence to Democratic strategist James Carville’s recent assertion that Biden made a critical mistake by seeking re-election. “The most tragic figure in American politics in my lifetime is President Biden,” Carville said. “It’s all so f—ing self-inflicted … He knows that he f—-ed up.”
After a political career spanning nearly five decades, Biden will leave the White House on January 20 when Donald Trump is inaugurated as the 47th president. Biden’s re-election bid was effectively derailed last July following a disastrous debate against Trump and growing concerns within the Democratic Party about his cognitive abilities and electoral viability.
In the final weeks of the 2024 presidential campaign, Biden reportedly expressed frustration, acknowledging that his legacy hinged on Vice President Kamala Harris defeating Trump in the general election. Despite a significant fundraising advantage, Harris was unable to secure victory, further complicating how history will view Biden’s presidency.
The 2024 Election as a Referendum on Biden’s Presidency
The results of the 2024 election not only determined the next occupant of the Oval Office but also served as a decisive referendum on Biden’s presidency. Voter sentiment revealed widespread dissatisfaction with his administration’s handling of key issues such as inflation, foreign policy, and border security.
Biden’s inability to rally bipartisan support or energize his own Democratic base ultimately underscored the challenges he faced during his presidency. The Republican Party capitalized on these vulnerabilities, framing the election as an opportunity to “restore competence” to the White House.
The election also highlighted the waning influence of Biden within his own party. Many Democrats, including prominent strategists and donors, openly questioned whether he should have pursued a second term. This internal discord likely weakened the Democratic ticket, paving the way for Trump’s return to power.
Ultimately, the 2024 election will be remembered as a pivotal moment in American political history. For Biden, it represents both the conclusion of a tumultuous presidency and a harsh judgment from the electorate, who viewed his tenure as falling short of the high expectations that accompanied his 2020 victory. While time may soften public perception of his achievements, the immediate aftermath of the election reflects a nation that was desperately ready for a change from the Biden administration.
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