By John Q. Hosedrinker 
This article discusses an upcoming AMA session on r/thebulwark. The author then critiques President Biden’s governance, arguing his central failure stemmed from an inaccurate assessment of American political dynamics. Biden’s strategy of incremental reform and bipartisan cooperation, intended to counter populism, proved ineffective. This failure, the author contends, overshadows other criticisms, highlighting a broader societal failing rather than solely a presidential one. The piece concludes by promising a further examination of America’s collective shortcomings.
Read the original article here
Joe Biden isn’t your scapegoat, but understanding why so many believe he is requires acknowledging a complex situation. The belief that he could restore a “liberal equilibrium” by governing conventionally and allowing the Republican party to heal itself proved tragically flawed. This wasn’t a deliberate failure, but a miscalculation of the extent to which Trump had reshaped the political landscape. His approach, while well-intentioned, wasn’t adequate to counter the forces he faced.
The 2022 midterms, far from signaling a return to normalcy, underscored the enduring power of the Trumpian movement. Candidates like Doug Mastriano, Herschel Walker, and Blake Masters demonstrated the GOP’s continued embrace of extremism, highlighting the inadequacy of Biden’s strategy. This failure to adequately address the rise of authoritarianism shouldn’t solely be pinned on Biden, however; the entire Democratic establishment shares a degree of responsibility for its failure to counter this effectively.
The question of Biden’s 2024 run is fraught with complexities. His age and potential cognitive decline are legitimate concerns, not mere partisan attacks. The argument that a different Democratic candidate would have fared better is a reasonable one, even if it’s impossible to definitively prove. However, to solely place blame on Biden ignores the broader failure of the Democratic Party to adapt to the evolving political climate and adequately counter the Trumpist wave.
It’s easy to focus on Biden, but the issues are systemic. A significant portion of the American population demonstrably doesn’t prioritize democracy or competent governance. Trump’s rise wasn’t solely a result of Biden’s actions; it tapped into pre-existing sentiments and grievances. Blaming Biden for this broader societal malaise is simplistic and ultimately unproductive. The problem runs far deeper than a single administration.
The suggestion that Biden could or should have acted more radically is a point worth considering. More aggressively pursuing charges against Trump and his allies, while potentially effective, would have been deeply unpopular and politically risky. The claim that he was too cautious, prioritizing bipartisan cooperation over a more confrontational approach, isn’t entirely unfounded, but again, this doesn’t absolve the failures of the broader party structure or the American populace.
The sheer scale of the problem requires a broader examination beyond individual blame. Focusing solely on Biden allows us to avoid confronting the larger societal failures that enabled Trump’s rise and the ongoing struggles to counteract his influence. This is not to defend Biden from criticism where it is due, but to stress the need for a more holistic analysis.
Some argue Biden’s decision to run for re-election was a critical mistake, amplifying his perceived vulnerabilities. His age, and the possible implications for his cognitive abilities, legitimately raise concerns about his fitness for office. However, this is different from claiming he is solely responsible for the current state of American politics.
Ultimately, the suggestion that Biden single-handedly caused the current political climate is a profound oversimplification. While his actions and choices undoubtedly contributed to the situation, blaming him alone ignores the systemic failures within the Democratic Party, and the broader societal factors that allowed the rise of Trumpism. He’s a figurehead, not the sole architect of the current crisis. Pinning the blame on him is easy; confronting the complex, interwoven issues at play is much harder, but ultimately necessary.
We must avoid the trap of convenient scapegoating. The current state of American politics is the result of a confluence of factors, and assigning blame to a single individual ignores the complexities of the situation. While Biden’s actions and decisions warrant scrutiny, attributing all responsibility to him is a disservice to the larger, deeper-rooted problems facing the country. A more comprehensive examination of these problems is essential before any meaningful solutions can be considered. The focus needs to shift from assigning blame to addressing the underlying issues fueling political division and the erosion of democratic values. To do otherwise is to perpetuate the very cycle of scapegoating that has already done so much harm.