# President Joe Biden and the runup to the 2024 election **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [November 15, 2021, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-joe-biden-and-the-runup-to-the-2024-election/954384 "2021-11-15T14:54:57Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 53
**Author:** ![Leaper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/4bbf92/32.png) [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2024, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-joe-biden-and-the-runup-to-the-2024-election/954384/1052 "2024-03-07T20:56:50Z")
To me, a lot of the “Biden shouldn’t run” arguments boil down to “There _has_ to be somebody else who’s got an equal or better chance of winning, even at this late stage, right?!” I think some are imagining the comparison to millions of Americans, and not the teeny tiny pool of well known Democratic politicians. ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2024, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-joe-biden-and-the-runup-to-the-2024-election/954384/1053 "2024-03-07T21:02:31Z")
I want Trump to lose in November, but I hope he makes it _extremely, uncomfortably, close_ for Biden on Election Night so that the DNC gets a clue. Sadly, they’ll probably buckle down on exactly the opposite takeaway: _“If even a boring old guy like Biden only managed to eke out victory against Trump, imagine how badly a young, inspirational candidate would have fared? We need a 90-year old next time.”_ ---
**Author:** ![crowmanyclouds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crowmanyclouds/32/19884_2.png) [@crowmanyclouds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crowmanyclouds)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2024, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-joe-biden-and-the-runup-to-the-2024-election/954384/1054 "2024-03-07T21:04:45Z")
> [@Velocity](#): > > so that the DNC gets a clue. A clue about what? ---
**Author:** ![Airbeck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/airbeck/32/6574_2.png) [@Airbeck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Airbeck)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2024, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-joe-biden-and-the-runup-to-the-2024-election/954384/1055 "2024-03-07T21:23:13Z")
No, we need this to be a clear decisive victory against MAGA. Anything close and we are going to be facing even more chaos than leading up to January 6th from Trump and his acolytes. And they will have had 4 years to improve on their coup strategy. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_waldo_pepper/32/12370_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Waldo_Pepper)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2024, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-joe-biden-and-the-runup-to-the-2024-election/954384/1056 "2024-03-07T21:27:12Z")
> [@Airbeck](#): > > Anything close and we are going to be facing even more chaos than leading up to January 6th from Trump and his acolytes. And they will have had 4 years to improve on their coup strategy. Won’t the guys playing defense have had 4 years to improve on, uh, counter-coup strategy? ---
**Author:** ![DesertDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/desertdog/32/11503_2.png) [@DesertDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DesertDog)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2024, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-joe-biden-and-the-runup-to-the-2024-election/954384/1057 "2024-03-07T21:27:54Z")
> [@Thing.Fish](#): > > Also, Pelosi really was too old to be Speaker (though I have no idea why you even bring that up or what was supposed to have “worked out”) Oh, yeah. The younger McCarthy was and the younger Johnson is doing so much better at leading the country than elderly Pelosi ever did. You keep pounding that _too old_ button, it’s gonna break. ---
**Author:** ![Thing.Fish](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thing.fish/32/9168_2.png) [@Thing.Fish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thing.Fish)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2024, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-joe-biden-and-the-runup-to-the-2024-election/954384/1058 "2024-03-07T21:32:36Z")
Of course McCarthy and Johnson suck, they’re fucking Republicans! I honestly have no idea what point you’re trying to make here, and I doubt you do either. ---
**Author:** ![DesertDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/desertdog/32/11503_2.png) [@DesertDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DesertDog)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2024, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-joe-biden-and-the-runup-to-the-2024-election/954384/1059 "2024-03-07T21:35:54Z")
Your doubt is duly noted and given the full weight it deserves. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2024, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-joe-biden-and-the-runup-to-the-2024-election/954384/1060 "2024-03-07T21:39:24Z")
> [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](#): > > > [@Airbeck](#): > > > > Anything close and we are going to be facing even more chaos than leading up to January 6th from Trump and his acolytes. And they will have had 4 years to improve on their coup strategy. > > Won’t the guys playing defense have had 4 years to improve on, uh, counter-coup strategy? Yes. And it will be a Democratic AKA law-abiding administration in power at least through Jan. 20, which will change things quite a bit from last time, if God forbid there _is_ a next time. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Drake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ad7895/32.png) [@Dr.Drake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Drake)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2024, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-joe-biden-and-the-runup-to-the-2024-election/954384/1061 "2024-03-07T21:44:39Z")
> [@Johnny\_Bravo](#): > > Who’s ignoring them? Plenty of people in this thread have actively addressed them by explaining why Biden is a good candidate _despite_ his age. I see a lot of people minimizing the issue, and the subtext seems to be that we shouldn’t talk about it because it plays into the right-wing “Biden is senile / decrepit” narrative, or else because we have no alternative and so shouldn’t criticize our only chance. It is too late to find another candidate, barring emergency, but I am unconvinced by the deeply held belief that the Incumbent Advantage is in play no matter what, nor by the belief that “Biden defeated Trump once and so is uniquely qualified (rather than potentially qualified) to do it again.” ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2024, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-joe-biden-and-the-runup-to-the-2024-election/954384/1062 "2024-03-07T21:53:14Z")
> [@Velocity](#): > > I want Trump to lose in November, but I hope he makes it _extremely, uncomfortably, close_ for Biden on Election Night so that the DNC gets a clue. The DNC doesn’t pick candidates, running mates, or determine the candidates campaign strategy. What do you want them to do? ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2024, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-joe-biden-and-the-runup-to-the-2024-election/954384/1063 "2024-03-07T23:07:12Z")
Why do you think the DNC has any influence? It’s an arm of the Biden political team. When there’s a Democratic president, especially during the 1st term, the DNC has _zero power and influence_ except as they’re directed by the White House. You’re really railing against Democratic voters. We Democratic voters like Biden. In general, we think he’s been a very good President. It shouldn’t be surprising that we want him to run again. It’d be shocking if we didn’t. That he has at least one flaw (_gasp_ you mean he’s old?!? you don’t say!) doesn’t change this. ---
**Author:** ![DWMarch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dwmarch/32/1010_2.png) [@DWMarch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DWMarch)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2024, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-joe-biden-and-the-runup-to-the-2024-election/954384/1064 "2024-03-07T23:13:55Z")
> [@Velocity](#): > > I want Trump to lose in November, but I hope he makes it _extremely, uncomfortably, close_ for Biden on Election Night so that the DNC gets a clue. > > Sadly, they’ll probably buckle down on exactly the opposite takeaway: _“If even a boring old guy like Biden only managed to eke out victory against Trump, imagine how badly a young, inspirational candidate would have fared? We need a 90-year old next time.”_ If Trump wasn’t running, Biden wouldn’t be running either. I don’t have a cite handy for that but I am pretty sure Biden has said as much publicly. Trump is the reason we can’t have nice things and there is no room for error here, making Biden the best and only choice (unless of course he somehow becomes incapacitated which certainly has a non-zero percent chance of happening). Your hypothetical would be the cherry on top when it comes to the “snatch defeat from the jaws of victory” thing Democrats sometimes do but I don’t think it would actually happen. I think if Biden wins, 2028 will bring a much younger candidate for both parties. I also think if Biden wins he won’t serve out his full term. One Trump is gone from the political scene for good (as in any or all of: dead, in jail or incapacitated via stroke/heart attack/etc.) Biden will retire. ---
**Author:** ![crowmanyclouds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crowmanyclouds/32/19884_2.png) [@crowmanyclouds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crowmanyclouds)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2024, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-joe-biden-and-the-runup-to-the-2024-election/954384/1065 "2024-03-07T23:20:06Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > Why do you think the DNC has any influence? It never isn’t amusing to me when folks talk about how the party’s, particularly the Democrats, nominate candidates as if the changes that happened in said process aren’t half a fucking century old. ---
**Author:** ![PhillyGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ed655f/32.png) [@PhillyGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhillyGuy)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2024, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-joe-biden-and-the-runup-to-the-2024-election/954384/1066 "2024-03-07T23:42:21Z")
> [@DWMarch](#): > > If Trump wasn’t running, Biden wouldn’t be running either. I don’t have a cite handy for that but I am pretty sure Biden has said as much publicly. [Almost.](https://www.reuters.com/world/us/biden-not-sure-he-would-seek-re-election-if-trump-was-not-2023-12-05/) What’s he going to give as the explanation for why he is running? To finish the job? Maybe, but it’s weak. I’m good at dealing with Mike Johnson? Really? Kamala’s too progressive? Obviously not. I like power? That’s a truth that cannot be uttered. [Recall:](https://www.usnews.com/news/elections/articles/2019-12-11/joe-biden-suggests-he-would-only-serve-one-term-if-elected-president) > [@](#): > > Former Vice President [Joe Biden](https://www.usnews.com/elections/joe-biden) has reportedly indicated that he would only serve for one term if elected to the presidency. > > Several sources within the Biden campaign [told Politico](https://www.politico.com/news/2019/12/11/biden-single-term-082129) that the 2020 Democratic candidate would not run for reelection in 2024, when he would be 82 years old. He likes the job better than he thought he would. ---
**Author:** ![Love\_Rhombus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/love_rhombus/32/10694_2.png) [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2024, 11:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-joe-biden-and-the-runup-to-the-2024-election/954384/1067 "2024-03-07T23:54:53Z")
> [@PhillyGuy](#): > > To finish the job? Maybe, but it’s weak. Why? He’s done a lot, but he’s also been thwarted by the New Know-Nothings. He’s trying to make sure Trump doesn’t come back and finish _his_ job of wrecking the place. > [@PhillyGuy](#): > > I like power? That’s a truth that cannot be uttered. Do you have a factual basis for this idea? ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2024, 11:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-joe-biden-and-the-runup-to-the-2024-election/954384/1068 "2024-03-07T23:57:11Z")
> [@PhillyGuy](#): > > He likes the job better than he thought he would. Beating Trump makes a man feel good that way. He knows he can beat Trump, and I’m glad that he’s there to do it again. ---
**Author:** ![Moriarty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/moriarty/32/49_2.png) [@Moriarty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moriarty)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2024, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-joe-biden-and-the-runup-to-the-2024-election/954384/1069 "2024-03-08T01:57:14Z")
Biden is a _highly accomplished_ first term president. And with that surely comes a certain level of self assuredness. I have no doubt that he is confident that he’d make a great second term president. I don’t care what polls may show. I think Trump is going to get killed in the election, largely on the strength of the women vote. But many republicans will also abstain from him; he’s toxic to a significant plurality of his own party. Biden, meanwhile, likely has goals he wants to accomplish in a second term. Certainly, if he gets a Democratic Congress, then I’m sure we’d see immigration reform, at minimum. I’m expecting tonight’s state of the union speech to signal his plans. I expect his campaign will build momentum and get much more active after the convention this summer. For now, he’s busy governing. ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2024, 2:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-joe-biden-and-the-runup-to-the-2024-election/954384/1070 "2024-03-08T02:53:45Z")
> [@Thing.Fish](#): > > Who exactly is this “they” you speak of? About half of Democrats think Biden is too old to run again. Are they all secretly Republicans? Or maybe they’ve been brainwashed by the right-wing media conspiracy? Sorry to take so long to get back to you. Busy day for me today. I was referring to reliable yipping-in-unison of Fox, Newsmax, OANN, Alex Jones, Dinesh Souza and others who carry water for MAGAts. This propaganda garbage gets into the bloodstream of the national conversation and soon, people are parroting the talking points. I’ve watched it happen time and again. > [@Thing.Fish](#): > > Also, Pelosi really was too old to be Speaker (though I have no idea why you even bring that up or what was supposed to have “worked out”), Feinstein was too old be in the Senate, and RBG was too old to not retire while Obama was in office. I told you why I brought it up: Because it’s the identical old play being done on Biden as was done to Pelosi. Pelosi was a masterful Speaker of the House and her age was immaterial to her qualifications and ability for doing the job. Biden is just the same. He’s old. Not incompetent or compromised. Just old. By the way, I watch Biden speak nearly every day. I watch his press scrums, formal speeches, off the cuff remarks. He’s fine. An occasional verbal stumble – to which we all succumb periodically – and yes, he has tripped a couple times. So have I. I don’t know why Democrats let Republicans frame the conversations. We fall for it every time and it’s so dumb. ---
**Author:** ![bordelond](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bordelond/32/150_2.png) [@bordelond](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bordelond)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2024, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-joe-biden-and-the-runup-to-the-2024-election/954384/1071 "2024-03-08T20:39:06Z")
> [@PhillyGuy](#): > > > [@bordelond](#): > > > > Is it my imagination, or has the _New York Times_ been carrying A LOT of water for Biden’s opponent? > > IMHO, imagination. > > Media content analysis requires rigorous statistical methods. Absent that, objectivity is impossible. Problem is, we remember the articles we disagree with more than those we like. > > Does there get to a point where you don’t need a quantitative methods PhD to realize a media outlet is pro-Republican or pro-Democratic? On the editorial page, yes. If cycle after cycle, they endorse the Republican, that’s a Republican paper. But straight news coverage is impossible to fairly categorize without running numbers . I didn’t mean that the _NYT_ is a Republican paper. I meant that the _NYT_ has been carrying water for Biden’s general election opponent. Perhaps it’s better couched as chaos agency rather than partisanship. In any case, @Derleth posted the “QED” **[over in the State of the Union thread](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/state-of-the-union-address-march-7-2024/998590/139)**. I’ll repost a bit here: > Of course, the _Times_ is going to beat the “Biden Old” drum for as long as it can [because its owner wants it to](https://presswatchers.org/2024/03/why-is-new-york-times-campaign-coverage-so-bad-because-thats-what-the-publisher-wants/) > > > What does that mean — practically speaking — to the editors and reporters who work for him? In my view, the message is clear: > > > One: You will earn my displeasure if you warn people too forcefully about the possible end to democracy at the hands of a deranged insurrectionist. > > > And two: You prove your value to me by trolling our liberal readers. > > [snip] > > > We’re asking the Times to recognize that it isn’t living up to its own standards of truth-telling and independence when it obfuscates the stakes of the 2024 election, covers up for Trump’s derangement, and goes out of its way to make Biden look weak. > > > Reporting that Trump is a racist fanatic who would turn a democratic government into his personal fiefdom is not crusading, it’s journalism. > > > Reporting (endlessly) that Biden is old without noting that Trump is deranged is not “independent” journalism, it’s just bad journalism. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-joe-biden-and-the-runup-to-the-2024-election/954384.md?page=52) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-joe-biden-and-the-runup-to-the-2024-election/954384.md?page=54)