In the aftermath of a significant victory for a candidate who has been portrayed as a threat to democracy, President Joe Biden and his inner circle are facing a period of reflection and reassessment.
There are divergent opinions among those close to the president, as per individuals familiar with the discussions. Some believe that Biden should have remained the candidate due to his strong coalitions in the Blue Wall states, while others attribute the Democrats' substantial losses in the executive and legislative branches to his lack of popularity.
Furthermore, Biden himself has expressed a viewpoint that places blame on former President Barack Obama and House Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi for sidelining him on two separate occasions. A longtime Biden aide highlighted that the party leaders' decisions to prioritize other candidates over Biden in 2016 and 2024 resulted in defeat, emphasizing that Biden is the only candidate who has successfully defeated Trump.
The election outcome also raises questions about Biden's anticipated legacy tour. The White House had hoped that the president could use his final months in office to showcase his accomplishments in economic and foreign policy. However, with foreign leaders already preparing for a potential Trump presidency and voters expressing dissatisfaction with the economy, the focus has shifted.
As Biden gears up to engage with foreign leaders at upcoming summits, the narrative surrounding his presidency and potential re-election bid is evolving. The discontent among voters regarding the economy has become a central theme in the aftermath of the election, shaping the political landscape moving forward.
