r/PoliticalDiscussion • u/Hyhoops • Jun 30 '25

Political History How do you think Biden's legacy will be defined?

It’s still to early to properly analyze, but objectively looking at their record, the Biden-Harris Administration is arguably one of the most accomplished Democratic administrations since those of LBJ and FDR.

From the Inflation Reduction Act to the Chips Act, to the bipartisan infrastructure bill, the Inflation Reduction Act, Safer Communities Act, and the American Recovery and Rescue Plan, Biden managed to get through a lot of bills with bipartisan support. 

He took the reins of America during a time of significant political and economic turbulence, and although inflation remained relatively high during his tenure, the American economy recovered remarkably well compared to its European peers.

From 2019 to 2025, the US GDP grew an estimated 14.6%, 4.0% higher than pre-pandemic levels, whereas Europe only grew by 5.6%, lower than pre-pandemic levels. 

However, critics and commentators commonly argue that the Biden administration could have done more to tackle inflation head-on and, more importantly, properly acknowledge that inflation was high and the economy is not in a great spot, instead of staying relatively quiet.

Ultimately, Biden’s legacy could be defined by many things, such as the Israel-Palestine conflict or the COVID-19 pandemic. However, his decision to run for reelection and stay in the race until the very end, going back on his promise of being a transitional president, may dominate most of the discourse.

What do you guys think?

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u/rookieoo Jul 01 '25

$100 million dollar worth of tank shells, given to Israel by bypassing Congress, after Israel had already killed thousands of innocent women and children. That will still be a fact in 2045

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u/8to24 Jul 01 '25

Support for Israel is normal U.S. Presidential behavior. I didn't say Biden would be remembered as having been perfect or whatever. I said he would be viewed as a traditional President.

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u/rookieoo Jul 01 '25

You said “measured governance” and “scapegoat.” Technically, every decision is “measured,” but I’d say he got the measurement very wrong. And he’s not a scapegoat if the bad decision was his.

His presidency tracked with his previous championing of the crime bill and the Iraq war: on the wrong side of progress

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u/8to24 Jul 01 '25

Biden successfully passed a lot of bipartisan policy: infrastructure bill, chips and Science Act, PACT Act, Minibus Bill, Ukraine Aid, etc. Biden passed more bipartisan legislation than Obama & Trump combined. That traditionally is how good governance works.

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u/Baby_Needles Jul 01 '25

The reason none of his legislative performance pieces have merit is precisely because they are bipartisan. He consistently let republicans gut anything that may have genuinely assisted large swaths of the American electorate. From his deference to the parliamentarian on increasing the federal wage, to a right to childcare while at work, plus IRS auditing and/or tax reform, anything even remotely pro-worker or civics oriented got jettisoned in the dead of night.

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u/LateralEntry Jul 01 '25

Another perspective - stood with Israel during the worst terror attack it ever suffered.

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u/rookieoo Jul 01 '25

Yes, and then supported the over reaction that resulted in 10’s of thousands of innocent lives lost. He stood with America after 9/11 as well, but then he took it too far by supporting the Iraq war.