While there are many areas that are disappointing about Biden's presidency, I have to keep reminding myself that Biden wasn't even on my Top 10 list of preferred presidential candidates. Don't get me wrong. I voted for him, and am glad he's President rather than 45. And maybe he's the only one who could have beaten Trump (although I'm not sure I totally buy into that conventional wisdom).
What to be disappointed about?
- Other than the Afghanistan withdrawal, there is virtually no change in foreign policy from Trump, other than feel-good words.
- He should have been much more agressive from day one with executive orders, rather than getting 100% bogged down in legislative action. There are things in the areas of student debt, climate change, justice, et al that the administration could have done. Even if some things aren't universally popular, going on the offense is a good idea. Don't let CNN and Fox News define the narrative.
- There have been more labor actions this year than in many years. Want to win back working class voters? Then be a more vocal ally in these strikes and union votes.
- It might not have been successful, but Biden shoud have used the presidential bully pulpit to publicly call out the pro-filibuster Dems, especially in regard to voting rights legislation. There is some anecdotal reporting in crucial states like Georgia that some civil rights activists feel used and abandoned after working hard to win the White House and Senate.
This is all in the zone of what could have been expected. But some of Biden's rhetoric hinted at a little more movement to the left. It's been less that a year, so maybe more will happen. In the meantime I will try to mellow out with the understanding that in 2020 this is what the Democratic voters wanted. I was just hoping for more.
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