Joe Biden is in the history books for the breadth of his stimulus funding for the recovery that returned the U.S. to its pre-COVID-19 economic strength, and beyond, his advocacy for the working class and union members, and his gentle nature.
By stepping aside in the twilight of his term in favor of his vice president, Kamala Harris, he will be known as advancing the interests of the nation ahead of his own ambition.
Donald Trump made history by returning to the presidency, and doing that by winning both the popular and Electoral College vote.
Biden can match that accomplishment by forgoing the final two months of his term, for Harris.
This idea is not the Herald editorial board’s. It has been circulating on social media and is widely popular. An idea the board has warmed to. Why not? The country would finally have a woman president, of color no less. Even for a short time, that would be something.
Yes, Harris lost the election, but in doing so received 73 million to Trump’s 76 million votes. That’s not a landslide, as Trump purports.
Biden and his staff are engaged in working to protect the initiatives he put in place from being undone by the incoming president. That’s not unusual, particularly if the incoming president is of a different party.
Things like the Inflation Reduction Act, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and the CHIPS Act. All three provided billions of dollars to fund the transition to a clean energy future, reduce the deficit, lower prescription drug prices, improve the country’s ailing infrastructure, and return semiconductor production back to the U.S.
They also created jobs. All of Biden’s initiatives have benefited rural and working-class America.
Harris can continue those efforts. As vice president, she has participated in shaping the issues and their solutions, led her own initiatives, particularly around reproductive rights, and knows the players. She has been in the room and in the Senate chamber delivering tie-breaking votes. Her years as a prosecutor expanded and fine tuned her toughness.
The transition can be easily done. No need to redecorate, design new menus or gardens at the White House, as the incoming president and his spouse usually do. All can remain as Biden’s.
All Harris will need for the two months is a new 47 letterhead and a small moving van from the U.S. Naval Observatory.
Biden was bold in stepping back from completing his run for another term and now has the opportunity to be even bolder.
Here’s hoping he seizes it.
