by Adrian Kresnak
Biden affirms his decision to remain in the presidential race after media and political figures called for him to drop out. These calls, sparked by his performance in the first debate, overlook an important fact: Joe Biden is already the President of the United States. His current term ends in 2025 whether he wins or loses. Yet the people calling for him to drop out of the race are not calling for him to resign the presidency. If he is fit to be in office, he is fit to run for the same office.
An actor in a play must memorize his lines and speak perfectly. A president is not an actor. Rather than focusing on his words, we gain a better insight into the Biden candidacy in other ways.
An incumbent candidate must first be evaluated on his current performance. If he is found satisfactory, we then have to consider why we may want him to drop out of the race and what dropping out at this stage would accomplish.
Let’s start by looking at Biden’s record as the current president. His administration improved the lives of the American people in multiple areas, including public health, the economy, and foreign policy.
Biden came into office in the heat of the COVID-19 pandemic. He had to rebuild trust with the American public, and he did so with a comprehensive pandemic response plan. His vaccination efforts and mask directives reduce the spread of disease. These efforts allowed him to end the pandemic national emergency in 2023.
Because Biden faced this crisis, we could return to our normal lives. This is the kind of leadership we needed. We still need him.
He understands how to encourage the economy while protecting Americans’ health. Ending the national emergency allowed businesses to reopen for good, spurring economic growth and recovery. His Build Back Better Plan identified areas where the government could take active steps in improving peoples’ lives. Legislation built on this plan includes the American Rescue Plan and the Inflation Reduction Act.
The American Rescue Plan kickstarted economic recovery after the 2020 recession. Remember that $1400 you got in 2021? That was a direct payment given to help households through a financially difficult time. The Plan also distributed money to restaurants and small businesses to help them survive the pandemic. Times were hard. Biden understood, and he made them better.
The Inflation Reduction Act capped prescription drug prices for people with Medicare. Life-saving medications are now more accessible for the most vulnerable among us. In addition, the Act provides funding for climate-focused initiatives and reforms the tax code.
Both the American Rescue Plan and the Inflation Reduction Act included an expansion of the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare). They were passed under Biden’s leadership and with his support. His legislative agenda put Americans in a better position than we were under Trump.
Keep in mind that these bills passed despite opposition from the Republican party. In a less-than-ideal legislative environment, he was still able to get things done.
Finally, let’s look at Biden’s foreign policy. President Biden affirms America’s relationship with the Philippines in the U.S.-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty. He understands the dangers Filipinos face from Chinese territorial aggression. By pledging America’s support, he is looking out for us and our cousins overseas.
(When Trump was president, he called then-President Duterte to congratulate him on his “unbelievable job on the drug problem”.)
When Russia attacked Ukraine, President Biden took action. His foreign aid helps defend the innocent men, women and children of Ukraine. The world sees America as a defender, one with the ability and will to protect against aggression. Biden’s support of NATO helps ensure peace for our allies. Since Biden came into office, two countries joined NATO and three more have announced their desire to join.
These demonstrate President Biden’s accomplishments over the past years. He has proven that he can do the job.
So, then, why call on him to drop out?
One may question whether he will live long enough to finish a second term. This is a fair question that can be applied to both candidates, as Biden is 81 years old and Trump 78. If either is elected, there is a chance that their vice president will end up inheriting their office. Let’s look at their running mates.
Biden is running with Kamala Harris. She was previously the Attorney General in California and then a Senator. She is on the same page as Biden and works toward their shared legislative agenda. If Biden dies in office, Harris will be able to pick up right where he left off.
Compare this with Trump’s running mate, who is, at time of writing, undeclared. Trump had a vice president while he was in office: Mike Pence. The reason Pence is no longer part of Trump’s campaign is because Pence refused to break the law to put Trump in power.
This is the Republican nominee: a man with no respect for the rule of law, supported by a party willing to do anything to put him in power.
One may want someone else to become the Democratic nominee. If we were still in the state primaries, a different candidate could perhaps take the nomination with little trouble. We are long past that stage. The states are preparing for the election with Biden as the apparent nominee. If he drops out, he will give the Republican party an excuse to file lawsuits aimed at disrupting the election.
Biden must remain in the race. Fortunately, he is up to it.
The role of a president is not to give long speeches and stir up emotion at rallies. The role of a president is to improve the lives of the American people. President Biden has a strong record in doing this. He lives the values of compassion, humility and grace every day, a credit to his Catholic faith. This is why I am confident in my choice to vote for him this November.
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