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Before he even took the oath of office, President Joe Biden faced hurricane-strength headwinds. A violent insurrection that attempted to overturn election results. Four years of nonstop anger and lies from a reality-challenged opponent-in-waiting. Meritless legal challenges.
Through it all, Biden has taken the high road, neither demeaning himself nor his position by engaging in the sort of vulgar political food fights so favored by former President Donald Trump. Four years ago, Biden said he would restore dignity to the White House. He has kept his word.
Biden has forged ahead during difficult and complex times.
Washington Democrats ought to come out strongly for Biden in the state’s March 12 primary. Against Trump as the presumptive Republican nominee, Biden should be reelected president in November. This is not a worst-of-two-evils scenario, but an affirmation that Biden achieved admirable marks in his first term.
After taking office in January 2021, Biden faced a national public health crisis, supply chain disruptions, spiking inflation, and high interest rates.
The result? The pandemic is largely in the rearview mirror, ports are functioning, and the nation’s economy grew at an unexpectedly brisk 3.3% annual pace from October through December. There are troubles to be sure — prices are still higher than three years ago — but considering economists largely anticipated the nation would be in recession right now, Biden’s stewardship should be appreciated. The state’s unemployment rate dropped from 6.3% in January 2021 to 4.2% last December.
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).
These programs made a positive difference in the lives of Washingtonians.
In November, U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., reported that Washington received $7.9 billion from the Bipartisan Infrastructure law for nearly 1,200 projects, including terminal expansion at the Port of Tacoma, helping move the Shoalwater Bay Indian Tribe village to higher ground, and building a rail overpass in Washougal. Rep. Derek Kilmer, D-Gig Harbor, noted the bill also provided $14 million to install 52 EV chargers across Western Washington including in Indigenous communities, Forks, Sequim, Quilcene, Shelton, and Port Ludlow. The port in Grays Harbor County — which voted for Trump in 2016 and 2020 — received $25 million to improve infrastructure.
On foreign policy, Biden deftly orchestrated a robust response to Russia’s bloody invasion of Ukraine. It will go down in history as a master class in diplomacy, unless Ukraine’s defense is undone by congressional Republicans who follow Trump into appeasement and open admiration of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
On the Gaza war, those raising their fists, closing highways, and justifying Hamas cruelty will no doubt find reason to oppose Biden. But the president and his team displayed resolve, empathy, and an unswerving dedication to pushing toward a peaceful solution. Israel is an American ally — one that Biden has cautioned and criticized. How will activists feel about the prospects for peace with a second Trump administration, since that will be the likely choice on the ballot?
There are too many contrasts between Biden and Trump to list, but here’s one that must be highlighted: abortion rights. Trump bragged on his social media platform that he “killed Roe V Wade” — “Without me the pro Life movement would have just kept losing. Thank you President TRUMP!!!”
In March, the U.S. Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in a case that would restrict access to mifepristone, a key abortion medication. The Fifth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in August that mifepristone cannot be accessed via telemedicine and received by mail.
The Biden administration is defending access to mifepristone and the FDA’s autonomy, among other efforts. This is just one issue related to women’s health and personal freedom that matters in Washington.
Though much has been made of Biden’s age, there is not much of a difference with Trump. Biden is 81, Trump is 77.
The job of American president isn’t to do pushups or display sufficient vigor when tossing a football. It’s to run the ship of state. Of this monumental task, Biden has proved himself a steadfast captain.
The state Democratic Party submitted three names for the March presidential primary: Biden, Minnesota congressman Dean Phillips, and author Marianne Williamson.
Washington Democrats ought to choose Biden in the primary. A clear-eyed view of the record should make it easy for state voters across the political spectrum to make Biden their pick in this fall’s general election.
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