Biden’s diminished role
Joe Biden is still president, but it’s unclear if he’s still running the country.
On Tuesday night, Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump squared off in a presidential debate. The incumbent, oneterm president of the United States wasn’t participating.
For years, Biden’s team insisted that the president was physically and mentally capable of doing the job. Democrats panicked after that showdown made it obvious that he wasn’t.
Democrats eventually succeeded in forcing Biden to relinquish the nomination. With Biden’s blessing, they installed Harris as their nominee. But Biden remains in office. His term won’t be over for another four months.
He spoke on the first night of the Democratic National Convention. “Folks, I’ve got five months left in my presidency. I’ve got a lot to do. I intend to get it done,” he said in that address. Afterward, however, he went on vacation in California and Delaware.
On Labor Day, Biden gave a speech in Pittsburgh in an appearance with Harris. He slurred and stumbled his way through it in an embarrassing fashion.
“We are the greatest manufacturing city, county in the world, state in the world, city in the world,” Biden said.
Last week, a reporter asked him how it felt to be back on the campaign trail. Biden lamented, “I’m not able to go out in the crowds anymore. The Secret Service doesn’t let me.”
What a fitting metaphor for Biden’s fading presidency. He’s supposed to be in charge, but someone else — perhaps Harris, his staff or nameless bureaucrats — is calling the shots. The American people need and deserve better.