To avoid a Trump win, Biden should consider bowing out in 2024

President Joe Biden is enjoying recent political wins and higher approval ratings that could give Democrats a boost heading into the midterms. He is even making some stops on the campaign trail supporting candidates in Pennsylvania and Ohio. But the president has not confirmed a 2024 run, and, in fact, many Democrats don’t want to see his name on the ticket. Straight Arrow News contributor Jordan Reid has her own reasons why it might be time for Biden to “take a bow” and leave the race for a surer bet against a possible Trump or DeSantis opponent:

A recent USA Today/Ipsos report found that 56% of Democrats think that Joe Biden shouldn’t run for re-election in 2024. 54 percent! And that’s people who may largely approve of his policies and experience. If you were to ask me whether I’m among them, the answer is…I don’t know. On the pro side, he beat the dude once already, so…

On the con side, Biden most definitely hasn’t been having the best run, at least PR-wise. And even if he could beat Trump, could he beat, say, Ron DeSantis? I’m not super confident. And not being super confident about that stresses me out. 

Right now, Biden is doing well, for sure. He’s enjoyed recent major wins on tech manufacturing, guns, infrastructure, job numbers, the drone-killing of Al Qaeda’s leader — and hopefully soon, climate and prescription drugs. Which is great! 

He’s also a fundamentally good person, and having him in the White House has soothed all our Trump-troubled souls. But my fear is that this sudden upswing of support will give his inner circle the idea that he’s a slam-dunk for the next term win, to the massive detriment of our country. 

What Biden did for our country was push through legislation that Democrats have been trying to accomplish for ages, but also act as a balm for our country, giving a sense of decency and order that was desperately needed after the lunacy of Trump’s presidency. Is he what the country needs for the next four years? It’s my opinion that he’d do an excellent job — but the greater need is avoiding a second Trump term, or the anointment of Ron DeSantis. Making sure neither of those men comes or returns to power is of primary importance.  

Another consideration worth mentioning: Were Biden to formally announce a second-term run, the back half of this term would be a study in “how much can Republicans do to screw up his chances of reelection?” The focus would be entirely on derailing any of his legislative plans. A president who’s not bogged down in reelection dramatics is arguably freer to act in the country’s best interests.

So, are Biden’s recent wins best served as impetus for a second run, or as a phenomenal place upon which to rest his legacy? As Maureen Dowd said in her excellent piece likening a second Biden run to Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s consequential — and damaging — decision to hold on to her position until it was too late: The timing of your exit can determine your place in the history books. 

Perhaps it’s Biden’s time to take a bow.