Joe Biden: The Best Man For America's Future

Joe Biden has been regarded by some as one of the best presidents of modern times. Despite inheriting a mess, Biden leaves the US in a better place, both domestically and internationally. Biden's supporters point to his economic record, his foreign policy successes, and his commitment to democracy as evidence of his strong leadership.

He guided the country through the pandemic

Joe Biden guided the country through the pandemic and out of the other side. When Biden took office, the US was in the grips of the coronavirus pandemic, with 3,000 Americans dying daily from Covid-19. There were vaccines, thanks to the Trump administration, but no plan to distribute them. Biden's administration, thanks in part to the American Rescue Plan, got America vaccinated. The plan also spurred the largest investments in fighting crime, preventing violence, and investing in public safety in history.

Biden's administration oversaw the largest small business boom in history, with a record 21 million new business applications over three years. This was 55% higher than the year before the pandemic. The American Rescue Plan's Child Care Stabilization program was critical in keeping childcare centres open. It also led to the lowest child poverty rate in American history, thanks to the expansion of the Child Tax Credit.

Biden's administration also prioritised support for small businesses, providing more than $450 billion in emergency relief to over 6 million small businesses, helping them to keep their doors open during the pandemic. The federal government also awarded a record $178.6 billion in contracting opportunities to small businesses, including $76.2 billion to small, disadvantaged businesses.

Biden's administration also prioritised getting Americans back to work. The American Rescue Plan led to the strongest jobs recovery on record, creating 16.6 million jobs. It also drove unemployment below 4% for 28 months – the longest stretch in over 50 years.

Biden's administration also successfully tackled the pandemic's broader impacts. For example, the American Rescue Plan provided $39 billion to help keep over 225,000 childcare providers open and bring hundreds of thousands of women with young children into the workforce.

He strengthened the economy

Joe Biden's economic policies have been the subject of much debate, with supporters citing his successful navigation of the economy through the Covid-19 pandemic and detractors pointing to issues such as inflation and national debt. However, it is undeniable that Biden took office during a challenging economic period, with the US economy in a fragile state following the pandemic.

Biden's economic legacy is marked by a focus on job creation and wage growth. During his presidency, the US economy experienced historic gains in the job market, with 48 consecutive months of job growth, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This streak is tied for the second-longest period of employment expansion on record. Biden is also the first US president to oversee monthly job gains for the entirety of his presidency. The US economy added 16.6 million jobs from February 2021, the first full month of Biden's presidency, through to December 2024. The unemployment rate also reached a nearly 54-year low of 3.4% in January 2023, and the jobless rate remained under 4% for 27 months, a streak not seen since the 1960s.

Wage growth was another key component of Biden's economic agenda. Wages grew faster than inflation for 19 consecutive months, and while they remain below pre-pandemic levels, the gains are significant. Additionally, wage and employment gaps between Black and White workers narrowed to record levels during Biden's presidency, with the Black unemployment rate hitting an all-time low of 4.8% in April 2023.

Biden also oversaw strong economic growth, with the US stock market posting impressive gains during his term. From Biden's inauguration in January 2021 to January 2025, the S&P 500 had a total return of 63.77%, including dividends. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose more than 40% during this period, and the Nasdaq Composite jumped by nearly 50%.

Furthermore, Biden's administration passed several sweeping legislative wins, investing heavily in rebuilding the nation's infrastructure and expanding clean technology. These initiatives include the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan, the $1.2 trillion Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the CHIPS and Science Act, and the Inflation Reduction Act. Together, these laws amount to more than $4 trillion in investment, spending, and tax credits.

In summary, Biden's economic policies focused on job creation, wage growth, and infrastructure investment. While there were challenges, such as inflation and national debt, the US economy experienced significant growth and recovery during his presidency, leaving it in a stronger position than when he took office.

He ended the war in Afghanistan

Joe Biden ended the war in Afghanistan, bringing to a close the longest war in American history. In his 2021 speech announcing the withdrawal of U.S. troops, Biden stated that "no amount of military force would ever deliver a stable, united, and secure Afghanistan".

The decision to end the war was not taken lightly. Biden recognised the complexity and danger of the situation, but ultimately, he and his advisors agreed that the best way to protect American citizens was to remove them from harm's way. Biden acknowledged the tragic loss of 13 American military personnel during the evacuation, but argued that ending the war saved countless lives.

The evacuation itself was an enormous undertaking, with more than 120,000 people airlifted to safety. This included American citizens, embassy personnel, citizens of U.S. allies, and Afghans who had worked with U.S. forces. Biden praised the skill, bravery, and courage of the U.S. military, diplomats, and intelligence professionals who carried out this dangerous mission.

Biden also emphasised that the war had gone on long enough. After 20 years, trillions of dollars spent, and thousands of lives lost, he believed it was time to end this "forever war". He argued that the war no longer served America's vital national interests and that it was draining resources needed to address new threats and challenges, such as the rise of China and the fight against climate change.

By ending the war in Afghanistan, Biden demonstrated his commitment to protecting American lives, adapting to changing global circumstances, and making tough but necessary decisions. He honoured his commitment to the American people to bring an end to this prolonged conflict, showing his willingness to make difficult choices in the best interests of his country.

He supported Ukraine

Joe Biden has been one of the best presidents of his time, and his support for Ukraine is a testament to that.

Since Russia launched its assault on Ukraine in February 2022, Biden has rallied the world to stand with the Ukrainian people in defending their freedom and sovereignty from Russian aggression. He has made it a top priority to provide Ukraine with the support it needs to prevail and emerge victorious. Biden's administration has provided Ukraine with security assistance, allocating billions of dollars in funding and equipment to strengthen Ukraine's military capabilities and defence industrial base. This includes additional air defence systems, unmanned aerial systems, and air-to-ground munitions, as well as strengthening Ukraine’s defence industrial base and supporting its maintenance and sustainment requirements.

Biden has also directed the Department of Defense to enhance Ukraine's air force by expanding training programs for Ukrainian pilots. Furthermore, he has taken a strong stance against Russian sanctions evasion and money laundering, disrupting global cryptocurrency networks in coordination with international partners.

Biden's leadership in building an international coalition to support Ukraine has been remarkable. He has reinforced the principle that no country should be allowed to grab territory from its neighbour. This stance has sent a clear message to other nations, such as China, regarding the US commitment to defending democracies like Taiwan.

In addition to military and financial support, Biden has also focused on the humanitarian aspect of the crisis. He has provided significant humanitarian assistance to Ukraine, including medical supplies, food, and shelter for those affected by the war.

Biden's unwavering support for Ukraine demonstrates his commitment to upholding democratic values and international norms. He has shown that he is a leader who stands up for what is right and just, even in the face of adversity.

Through his actions and dedication to supporting Ukraine, Joe Biden has proven himself to be a strong and compassionate leader, deserving of the title of "the best man."

He has been an effective commander-in-chief

Joe Biden has been an effective commander-in-chief. He has demonstrated strong leadership in foreign policy, successfully navigating complex international relations and conflict resolution. One of his notable achievements was ending America's longest war in Afghanistan, withdrawing US troops and saving countless lives. He also showed remarkable leadership in supporting Ukraine against Russian aggression without compromising US troops. Biden built an international coalition to back Ukraine and reinforced the principle of respecting territorial integrity. This sent a clear message to China about the US's commitment to defending Taiwan.

Biden has also upheld longstanding American alliances, such as with Israel, despite political costs. He has navigated global challenges while prioritising the safety of American troops. Additionally, he has strengthened alliances and created obstacles for strategic adversaries, such as China. His administration formed new alliances like AUKUS and the Quad partnership, boosting American influence in the Asia-Pacific region. Biden's diplomatic efforts have enhanced relationships with allies like the Philippines, South Korea, and Japan. These actions demonstrate Biden's ability to balance traditional alliances with a strategic pivot towards Asia.

Furthermore, Biden has successfully avoided military escalation and kept American troops out of direct combat. For the first time in two decades, there are no US troops deployed in combat anywhere globally. This marks a significant shift from the previous administration's approach to foreign policy. Biden's focus on diplomacy and coalition-building has been a cornerstone of his strategy. While critics may point to the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan, Biden's overall approach has prioritised de-escalation and the safety of American service members.

In addition to his foreign policy achievements, Biden has also demonstrated domestic leadership as commander-in-chief. He beat back an attempted insurrection by Donald Trump following the 2020 election, upholding the principle of free and fair elections. Biden's steadfast commitment to democracy and refusal to engage in election fraud lies have been pivotal in preserving the integrity of American democracy during unprecedented challenges.

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