General Discussion

Celerity

(43,462 posts) Mon Feb 7, 2022, 02:13 PM Feb 2022

Biden, Democrats, and America All Have Reason to Be Optimistic

The president and his party have plenty to brag about. They should make that case to the American people.

https://www.thedailybeast.com/biden-democrats-and-america-all-have-reason-to-be-optimistic

President Joe Biden is an optimist. It’s just who he is. Almost every time he speaks in public he talks about American “possibilities” and his belief that a better future lies ahead. That optimism might seem out of place based on many of the commentaries marking the completion of the president’s first year in office. But, contrary to conventional wisdom, not only does Biden have reason for optimism as he looks ahead to 2022, so do his fellow Democrats and all Americans.

That is not to minimize the challenges faced by the president, his party, and the country. COVID-19 is not yet under control and the GOP has actively undermined the common sense public health measures that could help bring this two year-long pandemic to an end. Our country is deeply divided. Real threats to our democracy have gained strength in the year since the Jan. 6 coup attempt. November 2022 will bring a midterm election that will likely produce gains for Republicans in the House and Senate. Such a result will make it difficult for Biden and Democrats to get much done. The world is also a dangerous place, full of leaders also seeking to test the United States.

But there’s legitimate reason for optimism as Biden begins his second year in office. Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer’s retirement is an example of how the winds of political fortune can blow in the president’s direction. Biden now has the chance to follow through on his promise to appoint the first Black woman to the high court—a choice and a confirmation process that could energize a key part of his base. In addition—also looking at the court—potentially broadly unpopular decisions undercutting Roe v. Wade or expanding gun rights later this year could produce a backlash against the GOP-dominated court and also mobilize major Democratic constituencies.

Recent economic news has also been very encouraging. U.S. GDP grew at an annualized rate of 6.9 percent in the last quarter of 2021, surpassing economists’ estimates. For the year, the economy grew at 5.7 percent, the fastest rate in nearly 40 years. If solid growth continues, as is likely, and COVID continues to recede and with it, the supply chain bottlenecks that have driven up inflation—the president and his political allies could benefit greatly. After all, few things are ever more important than kitchen-table issues in an election year. With much of US politics being a zero-sum game, looming setbacks for Trump and Republicans could also result in Biden and Democrats’ gains.

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