Before the Republican Party’s poor performance yesterday, President Joe Biden was under attack. For the first time in months, Biden was fact-checked by CNN, the New York Times, and the Washington Post. The frigid opening of Saturday Night Live made light of Biden’s age and intelligence. On election day, Politico published an article outlining growing skepticism regarding Biden’s chances of winning in 2024.
All of that chatter has ended now. Compared to either former President Barack Obama or Bill Clinton in their first terms, Biden performed significantly better in the November election. Only former President George W. Bush performed better during his first term in 2002 than other presidents in this century.
According to MSNBC host Lawrence O’Donnell last night, Joe Biden “is on the verge of being the most successful Democratic president in a midterm election that we have seen in quite some time.”
The “most successful Democratic president” in recent memory: how can Democrats possibly remove him?
None of this alters the fact that on election day in 2024, Biden will be 81 years old, that 56% of those who voted on Tuesday had a negative opinion of him, or that 74% of those same voters were “dissatisfied” or “angry” about “the way things are going in the United States.”
With 58% of Americans indicating they have an unfavorable opinion of him, former President Donald Trump is currently less popular than Biden. Biden still has a good chance of defeating Trump, therefore.
But what if Trump isn’t nominated by the Republican Party? What if the Republican nominee was a significantly younger governor of Florida who won the state by 20 points instead of Trump’s meager 3-point victory?
Is Biden prepared to contrast his achievements with those of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis? Are Democrats prepared to contrast Florida, where Republicans currently hold every statewide position, with California, which they entirely control?
Republicans appear to be preparing for a contentious primary that Democrats may find very entertaining. But in the end, Democratic voters might feel envious of their Republican colleagues for having the option to select a different candidate.
