In a recent interview with USA Today, President Joe Biden claimed he could have won the 2024 presidential election had he chosen to stay in the race. “It’s presumptuous to say that, but I think yes,” Biden remarked when asked if victory was possible. He explained that his belief was based on polls he had reviewed before dropping out in July. However, Biden admitted he wasn’t sure if he could have served a full second term: “I don’t know.”
Before his exit, polls suggested a mixed picture for Biden, with some showing him trailing or running even with Donald Trump. The reality is clear: Biden likely wouldn’t have defeated Trump. The Democrats themselves seemed to acknowledge Biden’s unfitness for office during the 2024 cycle, yet they allowed him to continue as a placeholder president, a role marked by erratic behavior, cognitive decline, and physical struggles.
Biden’s presidency, already marred by what critics see as disastrous policies and leadership failures, is expected to be remembered unfavorably. A recent Gallup poll revealed that Americans believe history will rate his tenure negatively.
A crucial moment in the 2024 campaign came during the debates, where Biden’s performance cemented doubts about his ability to lead. Trump’s sharp critique, “I really don’t know what he said at the end of that sentence. I don’t think he knows what he said either,” struck a chord. Biden’s fumbling delivery, punctuated by his signature awkward whispers and flashes of anger, confirmed many voters’ concerns.
The fallout of Biden’s failed reelection campaign also drew attention to his successor, Kamala Harris. Harris, dubbed the “Queen of Word Salads,” struggled to inspire confidence. Her 2020 primary campaign ended ignominiously before any votes were cast after a bruising debate exchange with Tulsi Gabbard.
Faced with a leadership vacuum, the Democrats failed to pivot to stronger candidates like Senator Joe Manchin or Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, instead sticking to their DEI-driven formula. This, critics argue, underscored a broader leftward shift within the party, alienating centrist and moderate voters.
President Biden’s post-election decisions, including controversial pardons, further divided public opinion. The 2024 outcome suggests that Biden staying in the race might have led to an even larger defeat. As the saying goes, “It took a Carter to give us a Reagan.” Today, many on the right believe, “It took a Biden to give us a Trump.”
