President Biden’s Strategy in the Final Months of His Term
As President Biden approaches the end of his term, the White House is planning to streamline his schedule, concentrating on legacy-defining actions.
Since President Biden announced his decision not to seek re-election at the end of July, the White House has undergone significant shifts. Some advisors are considering leaving to join Vice President Kamala Harris’s campaign, while those who remain are crafting a new agenda for the President. This includes outlining his public approach in the final months, proposing policies for review, planning potential trips, and exploring new ways to engage with the media.
Last month, White House Chief of Staff Jeff Zients held an online discussion with around 2,000 members of the executive branch to strategize for President Biden’s final months in office. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan discussed the possibility of increasing the President’s interactions with foreign officials, both domestically and internationally, to preserve his diplomatic legacy.
There is general consensus among administration officials to minimize the President’s public appearances. From the point of view two officials, President Biden plans to reduce the number of speeches he gives, aiming to make each address more impactful, substantive, and focused primarily on the administration’s accomplishments.
White House aides cite President Biden’s speech announcing the historic prisoner exchange with Russia as an example of the type of address they intend to pursue. This exchange, the largest between Russia and the West since the Cold War, was the result of months of complex negotiations involving seven countries and close coordination with allies.
In that speech, President Biden emphasized the importance of alliances, drawing a contrast with Trump’s isolationist “America First” stance.
“If anyone questions whether alliances matter: they matter immensely,” Biden asserted. “Today is a powerful example of the significance of having trusted friends around the world, with whom we can collaborate and rely on, especially in sensitive and high-stakes situations like this.”
In U.S. politics, outgoing presidents have often tried to enact significant policies in the final months of their terms.
In 2008, President George W. Bush signed a $700 billion bailout for the financial services industry just weeks before Barack Obama defeated Republican candidate John McCain. Bush also approved a $17 billion aid package to sustain the U.S. auto industry during the economic downturn.
In 2000, President Bill Clinton initiated peace talks between Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak and Palestinian Authority leader Yasser Arafat at Camp David in Maryland, in an effort to bring peace to the Middle East, although the attempt ultimately failed.
Similarly, President Biden is pursuing a major diplomatic win by brokering a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. Negotiations have been ongoing in Egypt and Qatar and are expected to continue.
Aaron David Miller, a former U.S. Middle East peace negotiator, believes a ceasefire agreement is “closer than ever.”
However, Gordon Gray, a former U.S. ambassador to Tunisia and now a professor at George Washington University’s Elliott School of International Affairs, is more skeptical.
“Biden’s national security team is stretched thin between Ukraine and Gaza. They have too much on their plate,” Gray remarked. “The reality is that there may not be enough time for significant breakthroughs.”
The White House and political aides are also discussing occasional campaign appearances by President Biden in support of Vice President Kamala Harris. As per sources familiar with the matter, Harris is seeking Biden’s support in areas where his influence is strongest, particularly among older white voters in states like Pennsylvania and Michigan, which he won in 2020.
Biden is expected to make his first campaign appearance for Harris on September 2nd in Pennsylvania. The moment when President Biden and Vice President Harris share the stage is seen as critically important for the Democratic Party.
“The President remains focused on highlighting the positive outcomes he has delivered for the American people while working to build support for Vice President Harris and Governor Walz,” said TJ Ducklo, a spokesperson for Biden. “He looks forward to joining them soon on this journey to challenge Donald Trump’s dangerous agenda and to discuss the Harris-Walz vision for the future.”
However, some believe that Biden’s appearances could have a negative impact on Harris’s campaign.
Biden has never drawn the large crowds that former Presidents Trump, Barack Obama, or even Vice President Harris did when she began her campaign. His appearances risk reminding Americans why they may not want him to seek another term, experts say.
“It’s going to be awkward. I’m sure President Biden wants to get out there and defend his record. But Harris wants this election to be about the future,” commented Republican strategist Alex Conant. “I doubt that Biden campaigning with Harris will yield meaningful results. Democrats want the race to focus on Harris and Trump, not another four years of Biden.”
Cornell Belcher, a Democratic pollster, believes that when campaigning for Harris, President Biden should focus on key achievements like infrastructure legislation and lowering drug prices, targeting older voters and workers, particularly on issues like Social Security and retirement.
“He needs to concentrate on passing on his strength and legacy,” Belcher added.
