Biden after the midterms: competition for the aging president

US President Biden is self-confident after the midterm elections. He wants to run again in 2024, to the displeasure of many Democrats. Others in his party are also in the starting blocks.

“My intention is to run again. But I have great respect for fate. And this is ultimately a family decision,” said President Joe Biden the day after the congressional election with a view to running again in 2024. He wanted the final decision to begin meet next year.

No question – the unexpectedly good performance of the Democrats in the midterms gives Biden a boost. When asked by a reporter what he would do differently in the future – as the next president – Biden said confidently: Nothing. “Because voters are just finding out what we’re doing. The more they know about it, the more support we’re going to get.”

Some party friends see things differently. Joe Biden will be 80 this month. When he took office, he was the oldest US President of all time. According to polls, around 60 percent of Democrats are against him running again.

Who could take on the Republicans?

Too old, too frail, not dynamic enough – that’s her criticism. But who from the ranks of the Democrats has what it takes to stand up to a Republican opponent like Donald Trump or Ron DeSantis? The list of possible candidates is long.

Talking about the Governor of California Gavin Newsom, Gretchen Whitmer from Michigan or Minister of Transport Pete Buttigieg. He was a shortlist in 2020, along with Senator Amy Klobuchar, who put herself in position at CBS after the congressional election. “To counteract inflation, we have to keep working – on upskilling the workforce, on supply chain issues, reducing transportation costs, drug prices, housing, childcare, instead of introducing tax cuts for the rich, which was the Republican plan,” Klobuchar said.

Harris is also traded as a candidate

Vice President Kamala Harris’ candidacy would be a little more delicate. Biden’s deputy would be his natural successor. Even during the election campaign, it was always treated as such. In the past two years, however, she has remained colorless and has not been able to position herself really convincingly. Whether she can stay out of the presidential race without losing face is questionable.

President Biden is on the world stage for the next few days. He is doing what he does best: cementing alliances with international partners. Biden’s security policy adviser Jake Sullivan said the president is starting this journey with a tailwind: “We believe we are in a strong position to manage competition and work with our partners to meet the challenges of our time.”

After the climate conference in Sharm El-Sheikh, Biden travels first to the Asean summit in Cambodia and then to the G20 summit in Bali. So far, at least, there is no sign of a lack of vigour.