Biden's Valedictory

 Biden's Farewell Address last night consciously echoed American history. There were nods to Washington's Farewell Address, Eisenhower's and the entire Progressive Period. Biden's stabs at oligarchy are accurate and important, and I think it's important as an historical document and a "marker" against future action.

The text of his remarks - I didn't watch it - is good. He accurately lays out the perils of the new "malefactors of great wealth." I think similarly, Josh Marshall and Will Norris are onto something when the note that Democrats should become more vocal champions of the "Gig Economy."

However, my choice not to watch it isn't just a facet of my long standing aversion to "political theater." Biden is a shitty speaker at this point in his career, and that has to be part of the discussion of his legacy and the 2024 election. During his presidency, we were able to see actual results that pointed to a pretty impressive grasp of the legislative process and the dynamics of Congress. He got a lot done. However, during that same period, he was simply unable to be a forceful advocate for those policies.

It's always risky to be saying that the economy is in great shape, if people think the economy is in bad shape; you look "out of touch." However, the real accomplishments of the Biden Administration never really become tangible to people. Biden lacked the easy wonkish explanatory ability of Bill Clinton or the soaring rhetoric of Barack Obama, even on his best days.

When Harris took over in July, opinions about the economy had largely been locked in place. I don't think she could do much about that. Having the bully pulpit more or less unoccupied from 2021-2024 wasn't a big help though. Again, I'm skeptical that rhetoric would have saved the day. Ultimately, it was the slow movement of the Justice Department to move against Trump that could doom us. And even if they had prosecuted him more vigorously, Biden or Harris probably lose to some creature like Ron DeSantis, given the anti-incumbent moment we are in.

Still, Biden's invisibility during much of his presidency was helpful to get stuff through the "Secret Congress" but it was bad politics, and it should be acknowledged as such.