To some, he was exactly what America needed at precisely the right time. His was an appointment necessary to bring this country out of the darkness that enveloped it for four years of ego maniacal chaos. He was the steadying and empathetic hand that returned America, both domestically and internationally, to a position of strength.
To others, he was just another weak-kneed purveyor of “woke” inspired promises that was tearing the fighting guts out of America at a time when raw strength was needed instead of empathy. He was the doddering figurehead of a “crime family” that used America as a play toy for nefarious schemes designed to fatten his bank account while ignoring what “patriots” needed to hear.
History will look back at Joe Biden’s presidency as it does most such tenures. A mix of successes and failures more often marked by promises no one could have kept, the struggle in dealing with lawmakers from an opposing Party who were determined to see none of his efforts take root, and a divided nation where facts and propaganda were the oil and water of governing.
There has never been a presidency so intrinsically affected by so many outside influences, and save for times of war, no Administration has been forced to deal with so many global crises which have also made deep impacts on America socially and economically.
One side fears what’s to come in the next four years. Another side relishes the thought of burying everything with his stamp on it.
Either way, America is about to enter into what will be the defining four years of our future. And that, from all sides, is more than a little frightening.
As the 46th president, Joe Biden inherited a nation in crisis—grappling with the COVID-19 pandemic, economic instability, and what was already a deeply divided populace. While he promised unity and a return to normalcy, the reality of governing proved far more challenging.
5 Positives of the Biden Presidency
COVID-19 Vaccine Rollout: Biden’s administration oversaw a massive vaccination campaign, successfully distributing millions of doses across the nation that saved countless lives. The first Trump Administration could not have botched the response to COVID-19 in more spectacle fashion, from downplaying the danger to supporting untested and phony “cures”. The Biden Administration effort was executed with greater efficiency and organization, helping to curb the pandemic’s devastating impact. They listened to the science, instead of listening to social media and pandering propagandists.
Infrastructure Investment: The passage of the $1.2 trillion Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act marked a historic commitment to rebuilding America’s crumbling roads, bridges, and public transit systems. The effects of Biden’s success on infrastructure will be felt in all 50 States for generations, replacing the lip service given these ideas by the former Administration. This bipartisan achievement demonstrated Biden’s ability to deliver on a key campaign promise.
Economic Recovery Measures: Through the American Rescue Plan, Biden provided direct relief to millions of Americans, extended unemployment benefits, and supported struggling businesses. These measures helped stabilize the economy during a precarious period. Even opponents were hard-pressed to find much wrong with the legislation, as it benefited those Americans who truly needed help in difficult economic times.
Climate Action: Rejoining the Paris Agreement signaled a renewed U.S. commitment to addressing climate change. Biden’s ambitious goals, including reducing greenhouse gas emissions and investing in clean energy, underscored his focus on environmental sustainability. Despite attacks from the opposition, Biden’s actions not only paved the way for a cleaner America, but it also provided road maps for more jobs in a changing world.
Judicial Appointments: Biden prioritized diversity in judicial nominations, appointing a record number of women and people of color to federal benches. These appointments have the potential to shape the judiciary for decades to come.
5 Negatives of the Biden Presidency
Afghanistan Withdrawal: The chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021, marked by the Taliban’s rapid takeover and tragic loss of life, drew widespread criticism, especially from the partisan Republican contingent on Capitol Hill. While Biden stood by his decision to end America’s longest war, the execution left much to be desired. It wasn’t the first time and hopefully will be the last where America has little or no plan of action for withdrawing from major global conflicts.
While Donald Trump was no help in paving the way, the mess in Afghanistan was the culmination of four Administrations and their utter failures. American never had any reason to be that deep in Afghanistan, and someone was eventually going to pay the price. That "someone" was Biden.
Inflation and Economic Challenges: Despite efforts to stabilize the economy, rising inflation has strained households and overshadowed economic gains. Critics argue that Biden’s policies, including pandemic relief spending, exacerbated these issues.
Unfulfilled Promises: Biden’s ambitious agenda included student loan forgiveness, voting rights protections, and expanded healthcare access. Many of these promises remain unfulfilled, leading to frustration among progressives and younger voters. Much of these failures can be chalked up to the division in Congress, where Republicans early and often stated that no matter how beneficial ideas might have been, if they came from Joe Biden or any other Democrat, they were dead on arrival. Biden may take the heat here as that place where the buck stops, but it’s not for a lack of trying, and certainly due in large part to political and party division.
Border and Immigration Issues: The administration faced significant challenges at the southern border, with surges in migrant crossings and inadequate infrastructure to manage the influx. Critics from both sides of the aisle have called for more comprehensive immigration reform. The issue was there on his desk from day one, and Biden, in seeking to be more pragmatic and even empathetic toward the crisis, missed his opportunity to draw a hard line in the sand and make the difficult decisions. His failure here was without question a large part of why Democrats failed to defeat Trump in 2024.
Lack of a Clear Succession Plan: As the oldest president in U.S. history, Biden’s age raised plenty of questions about his ability to serve a second term. The Democratic Party’s failure to groom a clear successor left the party vulnerable going into their 2024 fight against Donald Trump, leading to their ham-handed and disastrous last minute grasp of shoving Kamala Harris into a role she wasn’t prepared for.
Let’s Dig a Little Deeper
Biden’s presidency began amid unprecedented challenges. The COVID-19 pandemic required decisions to be made on the fly, often without precedent or clear guidance. In many ways, he was handed an impossible task: to rebuild trust in government while managing crises on multiple fronts. His job wasn’t made any easier thanks to the loud and boisterous presence of Trump and his consistent propaganda and lies. Social media and a velvet glove approach from much of the legitimate press made it difficult to gain traction with the facts. Domestically, he inherited a nation fractured by partisan divides, for which there were no solutions. Internationally, he faced strained alliances and the residual chaos of Trump-era policies.
Promises Kept and Broken
Biden delivered on key promises, such as expanding access to vaccines and passing infrastructure legislation. However, other promises, like comprehensive student loan forgiveness and bold climate legislation, proved elusive. Some of these failures can be attributed to the narrow Democratic majority in Congress, while others reflect the inherent challenges of governance.
Fair and Unfair Criticisms
Certain criticisms of Biden’s administration are warranted, such as the mishandling of the Afghanistan withdrawal and the failure to communicate effectively on inflation. However, many attacks—particularly from Republican lawmakers and right-wing media—are rooted in bad faith. Claims that Biden is a puppet of progressive radicals or that his policies are driving unprecedented crime waves lack any evidence and serve primarily to stoke partisan division.
A Missed Opportunity for the Democratic Party
Biden’s presidency was always destined to be transitional. His primary mandate was to repair the damage of the Trump era and lay the groundwork for the next generation of Democratic leadership. However, the Democratic Party’s failure to cultivate a viable successor was a glaring oversight. Kamala Harris, while historic as the first female vice president and the first of Black and South Asian descent, struggled to define her role and gain widespread support. Her selection, while symbolically significant, was rushed and politically calculated rather than strategically sound. Her political future was crushed thanks to poor planning, and the Democratic Part as of this writing still remains rudderless and
seemingly without a plan for recovering.
Lessons for the Future
Biden’s presidency offers critical lessons for both Democrats and the nation. Governing in the modern era requires not only addressing immediate crises but also planning for long-term challenges. The Democratic Party must invest in cultivating a new generation of leaders who can articulate a compelling vision for the future. Without this foresight, the party risks ceding ground to a resurgent Republican Party driven by Trumpism.
And in conclusion....
Joe Biden’s presidency will be remembered, as many Administrations are, as a mix of triumphs and setbacks. While he achieved significant progress on key issues, the challenges of his tenure highlighted the limitations of American governance and the need for bold, forward-thinking leadership.
Whether his legacy will endure as one of meaningful repair or missed opportunities depends largely on the Democratic Party’s ability to build on his accomplishments and address its shortcomings.
The fact is Joe Biden leaves office with a rebounding and solid economy in place and gaining ground every day, a job market that is on the road to thriving once again after being decimated by COVID-19, a renewed level of leadership on the international stage marked by a resolve to thwart Russia in their attempt to once again destabilize Europe and the world, and a number of policies in place that if allowed to thrive will be an engine of positive change.
Supporters of Donald Trump and the man himself will disagree with everything written here and besmirch the positives with another heaping helping of rhetoric and misinformation. It thus behooves everyone to pay closer attention to what they do with what they have been handed.
Stay focused on news, sports, business and information without all the social media trolling by subscribing today the email newsletters "Shakedown Street" and "The Business Beagle". Ed Berliner is available for speaking engagement, educational seminars and guest appearances on TV, radio and podcasts by getting in touch with him here.
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