Due to the extreme circumstances of the pandemic, Biden began his term as a radical reformer–an aspiring FDR for the 21st century. He and the left thought they had an opportunity to move America from the dollar store economy to something more equitable for workers. It didn’t happen, partly because of inflation, and partly because he never had the votes for a more comprehensive reform agenda in the Senate. His legislative record was impressive in its way, but no one can seriously argue that he was the second coming of FDR.
In the second half of his term, with a Republican House, he will be struggling to keep the gains from the first half. He will be the wise old head–the true conservative in the room–protecting American freedoms from right-wing bomb throwers, not a frustrated radical reformer.
Given America’s innate opposition to change, it’s a good place to be.