In February, this editorial board endorsed President Joe Biden for a second term.
Today, we support his decision to get out of the race.
A month after The Times endorsement earlier this year, Biden gave a rousing State of the Union speech, touting his many policy achievements and spontaneously engaging with Republican hecklers. But his dazed and inarticulate performance during a June 27 debate with former President Donald Trump revealed a man who was simply unable to meet the moment. Growing concern about Biden’s age made his attempt to serve another four years in the most difficult job on Earth all but impossible.
Biden did not have the politician’s gift of a thunderous voice or dynamic personality. He overcame a childhood stutter. He related to the underdog. He exemplified quiet decency. And he believed in the power of government to make better the lives of its citizens.
Although Biden will not be his party’s standard-bearer, his successor would do well to stress the benefits he brought to Washington and the nation.
The state’s unemployment rate dropped from 6.4% when Biden took office in January 2021 to 4.9% in June.
Biden’s legislative accomplishments include the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law ($1 trillion for roads, ports and power lines); CHIPS and Science Act ($50 billion to build up semiconductor research and manufacturing); and the Inflation Reduction Act ($370 billion to fight climate change and reduce prescription drug costs).
Before he even took office, Biden faced an angry political climate fed by lies.
The Jan. 6 insurrection was the closest this country has ever come to a coup. It bears repeating that the House impeached Trump for “inciting violence against the Government of the United States” — with Washington Reps. Dan Newhouse and Jaime Herrera Beutler joining eight other Republicans and all Democrats.
That Trump was then able to coalesce power and now stands to retake the White House is truly frightening.
Biden has done his part to push back against the darkness and showcase the right priorities: Grow the middle class. Compete in the global marketplace. Narrow income inequality. Most important, do not neglect or minimize the urgent need to stave off the worst impacts of an overheating planet.
Vice President Kamala Harris is the obvious front-runner, but debate and competition will make the eventual Democratic nominee stronger. And that person should tack to the center with a running mate from a red or swing state. U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., deserves consideration.
In 2019, Biden said, “Everything that has made America, America, is at stake.” The same is true today. November’s election matches Biden’s vision for the nation against Trump’s, regardless of whether his name is on the ballot.
As the torch passes, the board reaffirms that, for the sake of America’s future, Biden’s values and priorities must prevail.
