Passing the Torch

In a 10-minute evening address to the nation from the Oval Office on July 24, President Joe Biden explained why he has decided to “pass the torch” to the next generation of political leaders, why he has chosen not to seek reelection to a second term and what he hopes to accomplish in his final months in office.

Biden’s remarks were well-crafted, his message and purpose were clear and his declared willingness to put the nation’s interests ahead of his aspirations is admirable.

Had the speech occurred six months or a year ago, it would have been the stuff of legend. The scene would have been Hollywood-script-worthy, with the country’s aging leader speaking to the nation from his heart as he helped chart a path for succession and guide efforts to carry on his legacy. But that’s not what happened. And timing is everything.

Instead of the carefully orchestrated victory lap by the president and rollout of a plan for the future of his party and nation, we witnessed a more modest withdrawal by Biden from the presidential race, a reluctant recognition of the challenges of the aging process, a shout-out in support of his designated successor and a pledge to continue serving the nation for the remainder of his term.

It didn’t have to be this way. Joe Biden has a remarkable 50-year record of service and a host of accomplishments — as president and otherwise — that deserve to be recognized, honored and appreciated. From a wide range of domestic issues to an array of foreign policy matters, Biden has a string of successes and achievements that any leader would be proud to claim. And his announced goals for the remainder of his term are worthwhile and consequential.

This whole process could have played out differently. Had Biden, his family and advisers done an honest assessment of his situation and acknowledged earlier that he should not run for reelection, it wouldn’t have been necessary for party leaders and donors to make clear that he could not run.

And had Biden withdrawn from the process earlier, and opened the party’s primary process to others, there is a deep bench of talent within the Democratic Party that could have competed for the nomination in a process that could have energized the party and engaged the electorate.

Instead, the race has changed course abruptly, with a new Democrat to be nominated for president at a convention that is only weeks away, and with only 100 days left until election day.

The November election will be of vital importance to the country, and its result will be consequential. Between now and then, there is a lot of work to be done as the campaigns recalibrate their messages to deal with the new election dynamic.

Biden will still play a role in the election. But his passing of the torch assures that other voices and other visions will play a more significant role in determining who will serve as our country’s 47th president.