In the Mellon Auditorium in Washington DC on a Tuesday night, US president Joe Biden shares the platform with Jens Stoltenberg, the secretary general of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO). Biden surprises Stoltenberg by presenting him with the US’s most prestigious civilian award: the presidential medal of freedom. Stoltenberg, a Norwegian renowned for his calm Scandinavian demeanour, appears genuinely honored.
The public awarding of ceremonial medals is often a fraught occasion and as Biden successfully places the medal around Stoltenberg’s neck, it soon becomes clear that Biden must now navigate the small clasp. As Biden—his every move scrutinised through the world’s lens—attempts to secure the clasp, the tension for countless Americans who sympathise with their aging leader is palpable. If the esteemed medal were to slip from Stoltenberg’s shoulders, critics and sensationalist media would have a feast. Momentary relief washes over supporters as Biden completes the task successfully and disaster is dodged, at least momentarily.
This moment carries echoes of the fallout from a political debate in Atlanta. Jill Biden, in apparent obliviousness to the negative national reviews, was seen complimenting her husband on his performance. A short video from a private gathering on that night showcases the First Lady commending her husband, “Joe, you were fantastic, answering every question, knowing all the details.” As Biden modestly accepted praise, it incidentally appeared to be an unfortunate display of political grandstanding.
The evident electoral disaster that had befallen the Biden family and the president’s close advisors seemed to have been overlooked or met with denial. On a significant occasion, witnessed by 50 million people, the president’s performance was marred by his deteriorating physical and mental state, exposing the brutal reality of aging. His frail and disoriented appearance made for one of the most public displays of this.
The Republican party, led by Donald Trump, observed silently with intrigue as the Democratic Party appeared to be in the throes of a collective political meltdown. Despite explanations that Biden’s disappointing performance was due to a minor sickness, ongoing chaotic press briefings from the White House fuelled uncertainty. Even Democrats and donors’ private conversations and ABC’s pre-recorded interview didn’t soothe the collective anxiety. In the latter, Biden stated he would only consider resigning if an intervention came from the ‘Lord Almighty’.
Remaining firm, the president insists he is not leaving his post as he delivers optimistic yet determined statements. While most Democratic colleagues delayed their response for over a week, a small contingent spoken openly about the need for Biden to vacate his position. The most notable plea came from Vermont Senator Peter Welch in a Washington Post opinion article.
In his article, Welch expressed concern over the increasing political threat facing Democrats. He pointed out that traditionally Democratic states are now displaying Republican tendencies – evident in Minnesota, New Hampshire, Nevada, Arizona, and Georgia. He insisted that such shifts cannot be neglected or overlooked. However, in his view, the bright side was Biden’s role in unifying the party and assembling a strong group of potential successors, including Vice President Harris and several dynamic, potential Democratic state governor and senator candidates. Acknowledging Biden’s past sacrifices and bravery, Welch called on the president to prioritize the party and consider stepping down.
Endorsements of unwavering solidarity have emerged from the black caucus, the Irish-American Democrats and also tentative backing from long-term Biden adherents like Senate leader Chuck Schumer. Even Congressman Jim Clyburn of South Carolina, aged 83, has renounced his previous hesitations by reiterating the common slogan: “We’re ridin’ with Biden.” The most intricate response to analyse was provided by the influential Nancy Pelosi, the former house speaker aged 84.
Nancy Pelosi stated on a Wednesday morning, “The decision of whether he runs or not is entirely in the president’s hands. We are collectively urging him to make that decision. I wish for him to follow through with whichever decision he makes. And that’s the reality. Whichever route he takes, we follow. I believe it’s crucial that we allow him to focus on this Nato summit. This is highly significant. Let’s defer. Regardless of your viewpoints, feel free to express them privately but there’s no need to disclose them publicly until we assess the progress of this week.”
This calculated rhetoric is implicitly read by many as: Joe Biden is a cherished friend and our chosen candidate; if he deems to run then so be it. Nevertheless, the exit door from the race is left ajar, with everyone covertly gesturing towards it with a mask of fearful smiles. If he opts to step through it, he will be showered with honour and heartfelt accolades. However, if he refrains, the entire team apprehends the dire repercussions.
This coincides with an editorial by George Clooney featured in the New York Times on the same morning. It’s not hard to envisage the icy mood at the Biden family breakfast table when they discern that even George, who was in close company with Joe at a luxurious LA fundraiser in mid-June, has fallen out of faith.
Definitely, he was weary. Possibly battling a cold as well? No matter the case, political party heads must quit insisting that what was witnessed by over 51 million individuals wasn’t precisely what occurred. The terror induced by a potential second stint of Trump in office has ultimately led us to turn a blind eye to every red flag present. The divulgence made during the interview with George Stephanopoulos merely underlines what was viewed a week prior. As part of the Democrat fraternity, we all anxiously wait with bated breath or turn the audio down each time we view the president, whose actions we admire, disembarking from Air Force One or returning to the mic to answer an unprepared query.
The article penned by Clooney is underscored by empathy. Initially, he openly professes his affection for Joe Biden, accentuating that this is merely an outcome of aging. Even though Clooney enjoys the status of a celebrated A-lister during Hollywood’s waning years, he remains simply an actor. Curiously, a large chunk of public remarks on the article bristle with indignation at the perceived audacity of the elite trying to determine the trajectory of the Democratic electoral procedure. A uniquely sardonic comment pops up from none other than Donald Trump himself, who chides Clooney on social media, advising him to retreat from politics and revert to television, rudely remarking that “films never truly were his cup of tea!”.
Thursday, the final day of the Nato summit, finds Biden subjecting himself to an uncommon occurrence – a live press meet featuring questions from the gathering. Throughout the day, the ambience in the Democrats’ quarters on Capitol Hill has allegedly been dismal, harboring a simmering resentment over the belief that Biden’s team had purposely silenced the extent of the decline in the president over the past year. The oppressive heat in Washington that week probably exacerbated the irritation. Presently, it appears the Democrats are grappling with their association with Biden. The unfolding predicament reveals an enormous, uncontrollable political apparatus on the brink of a disaster of historic proportions. A multitude of elements factor into the widespread ire and distorted messages; the persistent dread of botching the most crucial American election in contemporary history, faithfulness towards a president who stormed home in the Democratic primaries, impatience towards the geriatric era characterized by Biden’s steadfast faith in his limitless potential and the continuous sway of those robust figures of the post-war era who adamantly refuse to quit the scene. Not to mention, the gnawing apprehension that the Democrats are on the cusp of surrendering the White House, Senate, and House, all play a part.
News networks are sensationalising Joe Biden’s press conference as if it were a seminal event similar to the 2024 lunar landing, potentially to boost viewership. Although scheduled for half past five, Biden only approaches the podium just before 7pm. Prior to this, he makes a major verbal error during introductions to global leaders, referring to Ukraine’s President, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, as “President Putin”. Despite a prompt correction, and Zelenskiy’s attempt to make light of the situation, the mistake opens a window for ridicule. Furthermore, he mistakenly calls his own vice-president, Kamala Harris, “vice-president Trump” during the first question session.
Nonetheless, Biden addresses questions for approximately 50 minutes. There are moments when he is incoherent, at times he coughs, yet when reflecting on his external policy track record or his actions concerning Israel, he becomes emphatic and reminders us of his five decades of political experience. Recent surveys indicating that 54% of his followers believe he should relinquish his position do not seem to bother him, nor does he address another poll tying him up with Donald Trump. He adopts a more peaceful demeanour than earlier that Monday when he authored a daring public letter to his Democratic counterparts, challenging anyone who wishes to contest him.
This shows a more contemplative side of Biden, who maintains that he is admired by historians for endorsing more radical legislation than any other US president since Lyndon Johnson. He reveals this when questioned about what prompted a shift from his original plan to act as a “bridging president”, setting a course for the upcoming generation. “The situation I took over was more serious than expected,” he responds.
In acknowledging the perilous domestic political landscape for the first time, his astonishment is palpable. He refers to the approaching election, frequently characterized by US critics as incredibly “existential”. He could equally be referencing the unfamiliar labyrinth in which the Democratic Party finds itself, which Biden vows to navigate, as he has successfully in previous instances.
For those who are faithful to him and regard themselves as friends – as much as one can in the arena of politics – it might evoke a sense of nostalgia. Their desired and necessary Joe Biden is occasionally visible during this tumultuous summer: the shrewd, charismatic, street-smart veteran of Capitol Hill, the relentless conqueror of insurmountable challenges. However, the prevailing impression is akin to a dimming light bulb. Uncertainty looms over whether the light will eventually extinguish. As the darkness descends over Washington, pleas for Biden to step down from Democrats persist. Jim Hines of Connecticut is the first to call for this, but he is not the last. They refuse to hold their peace, as the looming dread of another significant error, another “miserable night” remains unassailable.
As such, a lengthened weekend looms ahead. Biden plans to accept an award at the Lyndon Johnson library in Austin, Texas, come Monday. Johnson, in 1968, famously rejected a second term nomination, describing the presidency as bearing “the formidable responsibilities of this position”.
Indeed, Biden’s role does entail vast obligations. Should he voluntarily decide to hand over the reins, there could be no place more fitting to communicate his memorable farewell speech.