Strong: 'Essence of a great president'

(President Biden) “has made the most difficult decision of his five decades of public service. Ultimately, he chose to put the interests of his nation above himself. That is the essence of a great president.” 

— Rep. Dina Titus, D-Nev. (Reno Gazette Journal, July 23).

On July 21, President Joe Biden announced he was ending his presidential re-election campaign. Biden was elected president on Nov. 3, 2020, and subsequently oversaw one of the most consequential presidential administrations in American history. The list of his accomplishments is extensive.

In a subsequent post, Biden endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic nominee. “My very first decision as the party nominee in 2020 was to pick Kamala Harris as my vice president. And it’s been the best decision I’ve made. Today I want to offer my full support and endorsement for Kamala to be the nominee of our party this year.”

Biden’s political career began in 1970 when he was elected to the New Castle County Council in Delaware. In 1972, at age 29, he ran for the U.S. Senate and won. During 36 years in the Senate, Biden served in several leadership positions.

In 2008, Biden was chosen to be Barack Obama’s vice presidential candidate. On Jan. 20, 2009, he was sworn in as the 47th vice president of the U.S. He served in that office for eight years.

In April 2019, Biden began his campaign for president. In the 2020 presidential election, he beat incumbent President Donald Trump by more than 7 million votes. Biden was inaugurated on Jan. 20, 2021.

When Biden took office, more than 3,000 Americans were dying every day from COVID-19. The entire country was shut down. America was in economic recession, with unemployment at 6.7 percent in December 2020. Supply chain issues were causing shortages everywhere.

To start America’s recovery, Biden passed several key pieces of legislation. One of the first was the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan, passed by Congressional Democrats and signed into law on March 11, 2021. This act gave money directly to small businesses and individuals, to help speed up the recovery from COVID and the economic downturn.

Another important bill was the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, passed by Congress on Nov. 6, 2021, and signed on Nov. 15. This bill provided over $1.2 trillion to improve, repair, and build water delivery systems, public transportation, high-speed internet, bridges, roads, railways, and to promote American industries, create jobs, and lower inflation. Trump promised infrastructure for four years and never fulfilled that promise. (Daily Kos, Jan. 25)

On Aug. 9, 2022, Biden signed the bipartisan CHIPS and Science Act. This act authorized $280 billion to encourage American manufacturing of semiconductors so we aren’t dependent on foreign manufacturers.

On Aug. 10, 2022, Biden signed the PACT Act. This law expanded VA health care for veterans exposed to toxic substances. It was the most significant expansion of veterans’ benefits in over 30 years.

These are just some of the major bills passed under Biden, helping America recover from the pandemic and the Trump recession. We now have the strongest economy in the world.

In 2022, more manufacturing jobs were created than in any single year for the past 30 years. Unemployment was 3.4 percent, the lowest in 50 years; 13 million jobs have been created. Inflation has been reduced by two-thirds.

Health care has been improved; 92 percent of Americans now have health insurance, the highest rate in our history. Violent crime is near its lowest level in 50 years. (Washington Post, July 19)

In foreign policy, Biden has strengthened NATO and other American alliances. In the past three years, he secured the release of more than 60 American political prisoners from around the world, including Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich. Foreign leaders know Biden will keep his promises. He’s made us safer. (CBS News, Aug. 1)

Now Biden has made one of the most difficult decisions of his life, putting the good of America over his own ambitions. Presidential historian Jon Meacham said, “I think the country should take a moment and realize the magnitude of the decision that President Biden made for the good of his country.” (Reno Gazette Journal, July 23)

By passing the torch to Harris, Biden knows the policies he has put in place will continue. If Harris is elected president, the U.S. will continue to prosper.

Biden loves America enough to step aside. He is a great president and a truly great man.

Thank you, Mr. President.

Jeanette Strong, whose column appears every other week, is a Nevada Press Foundation award-winning columnist. She may be reached at news@lahontanvalleynews.com.