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President Joe Biden has gone from being his greatest enemy to being Kamala Harris’ greatest asset. I say this because Joe Biden, awkward and insecure since his disastrous presidential debate three and a half weeks ago, did not appear at Wednesday night’s debate.
To be sure, there were a few — more than a few — moments in his Oval Office address when he stumbled over words and expressions, but far more important was the 10-minute brief he gave the nation of his accomplishments. In the absence of partisan political campaigning on Wednesday night, those accomplishments suddenly seemed far more compelling than the process of Biden’s now-ended presidential campaign.
I say this because every increase in Biden’s approval rating from now on will inevitably lead to further support for Vice President Kamala Harris in her fight against Donald Trump.
Biden announces decision to withdraw from 2024 presidential race, intends to complete term in White House
In his brief speech, Biden made a compelling case for his leadership at home and abroad, without direct partisan attacks or sharp, harsh language.
Most strikingly, Biden touched on a theme that neither he nor the Democrats were able to articulate as a candidate: “passing the baton to a new generation.” The president tried, not entirely convincingly, to exonerate Harris on her biggest weaknesses: the southern border and unlimited illegal immigration.
President Joe Biden addresses the nation from the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, Wednesday, July 24, 2024, about his decision to end his Democratic presidential reelection bid. (Evan Vucci via The Associated Press)
Similarly, I think Biden made a strong case for unity, stability, and above all, democracy.
Still, I don’t believe or mean to suggest that this speech will result in any kind of change or fundamental shift in the campaign going forward, but it does suggest that Joe Biden could be reinvigorated and serve three important roles for VP Harris.
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First, as an advocate for Biden’s domestic and foreign policies. Second, as an advocate for a new and, frankly, inexperienced figure on the national stage: the incumbent vice president. And third, not to be underestimated, after Wednesday’s speech, his ability to raise huge amounts of money to take on Donald Trump and the Republican Party will be resurrected and resurrected.
On July 23, 2024, President Biden departed from Dover Air Force Base in Dover, Delaware and boarded Air Force One. (SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images)
To be clear, in one brief 10-minute speech, Joe Biden has gone from pariah among donors to likely celebrity again. A president who only a week ago was shunned by his party’s wealthiest and most influential donors will undoubtedly be welcomed back into homes from the Upper East Side to West Los Angeles as he simultaneously appeals for his own administration and that of his expected successor.
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Finally, the president’s speech gives Democrats an asset they honestly lacked until Wednesday night: a sitting president who can make the case for the party. Biden will no doubt join former presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama in showcasing the party’s new unity inside and outside the convention. Harris now has a chance at the convention to lay out her vision for the America she wants to lead, both on her own and as vice presidential candidate.
I still consider Donald Trump the favorite in the 2024 election, as the polls show by a narrow margin, but with a newly attractive Joe Biden, a unified Democratic Party, and three presidents backing her, Kamala Harris’ chances of winning this election are higher than anyone would have thought possible just a few days ago.
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