(New York) In the eyes of his Democratic critics, Joe Biden was naive, despite his 76 years of age.
At the start of his third presidential campaign, the former right-hand man of Barack Obama boasted of being a seasoned negotiator, capable of pacting with the opposition. Didn’t he prove it in 2009 by persuading Republican senators to support the economic rescue plan for the 44e president ?
Ten years later, his progressive critics blamed him for living in the past, ignoring the polarization of politics in the era of Donald Trump. Polarization that would push American democracy to the brink on January 6, 2021.
But Joe Biden never gave up hope that the two major American parties could still get along.
“History, faith and reason show the way, the way of unity”, he said during his inauguration as 46e president. “We can see each other not as adversaries, but as neighbours. We can treat each other with dignity and respect. We can join forces, stop shouting and bring the temperature down. »
PHOTO ALEX BRANDON, ASSOCIATED PRESS ARCHIVES
Speaker of the House of Representatives Kevin McCarthy and US President Joe Biden
Two weeks after the assault on the Capitol by supporters of Donald Trump, these words could appear as simple wishful thinking. But they are reflected today in the action of Joe Biden, who last week hailed one of his most significant bipartisan achievements: the passage by both houses of Congress of a bill allowing states States to avoid a default, a scenario that could have caused an economic catastrophe.
“I would like to congratulate the President [de la Chambre des représentants, Kevin] McCarthy,” the White House chief said in a brief address to the nation Friday night, referring to his main Republican interlocutor in the debt ceiling and government spending negotiations.
“You know, him and I, us and our teams, we were able to get along and get things done. We were direct with each other, totally honest with each other and respectful with each other. Both parties acted in good faith. Both parties have kept their word. »
Bipartisan Achievements
It had been a very long time since an American politician had spoken thus of one of his adversaries. But the agreement that Joe Biden celebrated was not an isolated fact. His presidency is marked by major bipartisan achievements. Among these: a colossal plan for investment in infrastructure; a plan to boost microprocessor manufacturing in the United States and compete with China; a law to regulate firearms, the most ambitious in more than 30 years; military support for Ukraine.
Added to this are the achievements claimed by Joe Biden thanks to the sole support of Congressional Democrats, including the largest investment in history to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote clean energy technologies.
Is this the record of a half-senile man? Kevin McCarthy does not seem to believe this description of Joe Biden popular among Republicans. Asked by a journalist to describe his interactions with the octogenarian president during the negotiations over the past few weeks, he replied: “Very professional, very intelligent. Very hard at the same time. »
Joe Biden’s strength as a negotiator can be measured in another way: after reviewing the details of the deal brokered by the Democratic president and his Republican interlocutor, House of Representatives and Senate Democrats outnumbered Republicans to vote for the resulting bill.
And the most conservative among House Republicans railed against Kevin McCarthy, being convinced that he had been stripped by Joe Biden.
Unpopular Biden
But this strength cannot hide the weakness of Joe Biden. The latter is one of the most unpopular presidents in history at this stage of his mandate, if not the most unpopular, a fact that jeopardizes his re-election. According to polls, voters are particularly dissatisfied with his management of the economy and inflation, despite job creations that continue to exceed expectations and falling inflation.
Other polls point to unease over Joe Biden’s age, another issue that could hurt his chances in 2024 and possibly weigh on his popularity rating as well.
Last April, 70% of American adults believed that the Democratic president should give up a second term, according to a barometer from NBC News. When asked if age was a factor, 69% said yes.
This opinion is undoubtedly not unrelated to the image that Joe Biden projects. He looks his age. And his fall on a stage last Thursday allowed some media to revive this question, no offense to the White House and the president’s supporters.
Dismal, former Republican strategist Karl Rove said, on Fox News: “He is running against a Republican opponent and the mortality table. He is already older than all but five of the presidents at the time of their death, and these presidents usually had an average retirement of more than 20 years when they left Earth. »
Four years ago, Joe Biden was too naive, in the eyes of his critics. Today he is too old. He is used to being underestimated. It may also be a strength.