Early Presidential Campaign: 1988
Joe Biden’s first attempt at the presidency came in 1988. At the time, Biden was serving as a U.S. Senator from Delaware, having gained a reputation as a pragmatic centrist. He decided to throw his hat in the ring for the Democratic nomination after the administration of President Ronald Reagan had faced multiple controversies, and the country was looking for a new direction.
Biden’s 1988 campaign began with high expectations. He was viewed as a young, charismatic politician who could offer a fresh alternative to the older generation of political leaders. However, Biden’s campaign was marred by early controversies, including accusations of plagiarism. A speech Biden delivered to a crowd in New Hampshire was found to contain significant portions of a speech given by British politician Neil Kinnock. The plagiarism scandal led to significant media scrutiny, and Biden’s campaign suffered as a result.
In September 1987, Biden dropped out of the race after the controversy became too much to overcome. Despite his relatively brief campaign, Biden’s first presidential bid was a learning experience that helped him grow politically. The lessons from his 1988 run would influence his future attempts at the presidency.
1988 Campaign Challenges
The main challenge Biden faced in his 1988 presidential run was the issue of plagiarism. The media criticism and public outcry over this scandal led to questions about his integrity and honesty. Additionally, Biden struggled with gaining widespread support among key Democratic constituencies, especially given the rise of other prominent candidates like Massachusetts Governor Michael Dukakis. Biden’s run was short-lived, but it did help lay the groundwork for his future presidential aspirations.
2008 Presidential Campaign: A Bid for the Democratic Nomination
After years of serving as a U.S. Senator and gaining significant experience in foreign policy, Biden decided to run for president again in 2008. This time, his campaign would be different. He entered a crowded field of Democratic candidates, including the eventual nominees, Senator Hillary Clinton and Senator Barack Obama. Biden, at 65 years old, had years of experience in both foreign and domestic policy, but he was still considered a long shot in the race.
Biden’s 2008 campaign was focused on his expertise in foreign affairs and national security. As a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, he was a respected voice on international issues. Biden used his experience in diplomacy to highlight the importance of having a president who understood global relations and the nuances of foreign policy. Biden’s campaign message also included a commitment to progressive domestic policies, such as healthcare reform and job creation.
Despite his experience, Biden struggled to gain traction in the early stages of the campaign. He was overshadowed by more well-known candidates, including Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton. Biden’s style was more traditional and less flashy, and he faced difficulty generating excitement among younger voters. He also had difficulty connecting with African American voters, a key demographic in the Democratic Party.
2008 Campaign Setbacks and Decision to Withdraw
Biden’s 2008 bid for the presidency was marred by several setbacks. Early on, he failed to gain momentum in the polls and struggled to differentiate himself from the other candidates. He did not perform well in the early primary contests, including the Iowa caucuses, where he finished near the bottom of the pack. After a disappointing finish in Iowa, Biden withdrew from the race in January 2008.
However, Biden’s 2008 campaign was not without its highlights. His early endorsement of Barack Obama in 2008 would set the stage for a remarkable political partnership. Biden recognized Obama’s potential and became one of his earliest and most prominent supporters. Obama would go on to win the Democratic nomination and the general election, with Biden serving as his vice president for two terms.
The Biden-Obama Partnership
Although Biden did not win the 2008 Democratic nomination, his role in Barack Obama’s campaign was pivotal. Biden was chosen as Obama’s vice-presidential running mate, in part due to his experience in foreign policy, his working-class background, and his ability to connect with voters in key swing states. The Biden-Obama ticket was successful, and Obama won the presidency in 2008. Biden’s selection as vice president marked the beginning of his second career in national politics, and he would go on to serve two terms as vice president under President Obama.
2016 Presidential Campaign: A Late-Stage Bid
After serving as vice president for eight years, Biden found himself in the unique position of being a former vice president with considerable influence in the Democratic Party. In 2016, there was widespread speculation that Biden might once again seek the presidency. Hillary Clinton, the former secretary of state, was running for the Democratic nomination, and her campaign was facing fierce competition from Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders.
Biden, however, faced personal and political challenges that made his decision to run in 2016 uncertain. In 2015, Biden experienced the death of his son, Beau Biden, who had passed away from brain cancer. This personal tragedy made Biden reconsider his future, and he ultimately chose not to run for president in 2016. In October 2015, Biden announced that he would not enter the race, citing the grief over his son’s death as a key reason for his decision.
Hillary Clinton and the 2016 Election
Although Biden did not run for president in 2016, his decision to step aside left Hillary Clinton as the presumptive nominee. Clinton won the Democratic nomination and faced off against Republican nominee Donald Trump in a bitter and divisive general election campaign. Biden supported Clinton throughout the race, campaigning on her behalf and emphasizing the importance of electing a Democratic president.
The 2016 election was ultimately a difficult loss for Clinton, as Donald Trump won the Electoral College and became the 45th president of the United States. Biden, as vice president during the Obama administration, was deeply involved in the aftermath of the election and the political landscape that followed.
2020 Presidential Campaign: Biden’s Historic Victory
After stepping away from the political spotlight following his vice presidency, Biden made a dramatic return to presidential politics in 2020. With President Donald Trump’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and other national challenges, Biden saw an opportunity to lead the country through a time of division and uncertainty.
Biden launched his 2020 campaign with a message of unity, healing, and restoring the soul of the nation. His campaign was focused on defeating Donald Trump, addressing the COVID-19 pandemic, enacting comprehensive healthcare reform, and combating systemic racism. Biden’s message resonated with a broad coalition of voters, including working-class Americans, progressives, African Americans, and suburban women.
Biden faced fierce competition during the Democratic primaries, particularly from Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders, who pushed a more progressive agenda. Despite the challenge from Sanders, Biden’s appeal as a steady and experienced leader ultimately won out. His victories in key states like South Carolina, where African American voters played a pivotal role, helped propel him to the nomination.
Biden’s selection of Senator Kamala Harris as his vice-presidential running mate was also historic. Harris became the first woman, first Black woman, and first South Asian woman to be nominated as vice president by a major political party. The Biden-Harris ticket was a powerful symbol of diversity and progressivism.
In November 2020, after a contentious and polarized election, Joe Biden defeated incumbent President Donald Trump to become the 46th President of the United States. Biden’s victory was seen as a triumph of democracy, as it reflected a broad rejection of Trump’s divisive rhetoric and policies.
Conclusion
Joe Biden’s journey as a former Democratic presidential candidate was marked by both setbacks and triumphs. While he faced challenges in his early attempts at the presidency in 1988 and 2008, his eventual success in 2020 was a testament to his resilience, political acumen, and ability to connect with the American people. Biden’s years in public service, including his time as vice president, shaped his worldview and leadership style. His 2020 victory was a culmination of decades of political experience, and it set the stage for a new chapter in his career as President of the United States.