In light of what we’ve witnessed in U.S. politics over the past few months, detailed analyses need to be written and conducted. For example, despite his advancing age and health issues, President Joe Biden’s insistence on running, the way the party leadership and Democratic Party committees handled the “problem,” their ability to resolve the situation without causing chaos, and ultimately, their success in turning the tide 180 degrees in just a month are all worth analyzing.
Imagine if the exact opposite of what happened at the Democratic Party Convention that started yesterday in Chicago, set to last for four days, had occurred. President Joe Biden was celebrated as a “hero” because he decided to withdraw his candidacy and support his Vice President, Kamala Harris. Everyone who took the stage before him made thank-you speeches to Joe Biden. Even Kamala Harris, who wasn’t expected to speak on the first day, gave a brief speech and bid Joe Biden a heartfelt farewell.
The atmosphere, warmed by emotional speeches from family members, reached its peak when Biden took the microphone. Biden couldn’t hold back his tears. Thousands of Democrats filling the hall gave Biden a standing ovation for five minutes.
Knowing When to Step Down! The convention center was specially designed for Joe Biden’s farewell. Everywhere you looked, there were banners, posters, and digital screens saying “We Love You Joe.” Biden ended his more than 50-year political career in such a grand setting. Had Biden insisted on staying in the race and taken the stage yesterday to ask for votes from the delegates, it would have been a very different scene. He might not have been booed, but he wouldn’t have received enthusiastic support either.
As I said, there is much to be said and written about Biden’s political career and presidential run, but at this stage, the most important topic should be “knowing when to step down” and “timing.”
Because he has shown the whole world how important it is to step down gracefully and at the right time. Of course, he didn’t step down cheerfully. He struggled for a long time, asking, “Can I still compete?” but it’s impossible to resist time.
Every mortal ages, every mortal loses their strength.
In this regard, Biden’s decision to step down at the peak is noteworthy. In doing so, he concluded his career by teaching a lesson to politicians who don’t know when to leave their seat. Biden’s political career may be over, but he still has five months left in the presidency. The process from here on will be largely symbolic.
More Positives Than Negatives There will be many analyses written and books published about Biden’s life, politics, achievements, and failures, but what can we say about his speech last night and his presidency in the heat of the moment?
In the end, everyone can claim they’ve done their best, or even done very well, but what’s important is where the public and history place you. In this respect, it’s fair to say that Biden’s positives outweigh his negatives.
Looking at the life story of 81-year-old Biden, who has been on the political scene for over 50 years, certain points stand out. For example, he was one of the most prominent figures in what is politically defined as “liberal interventionism.” He advocated for decisive intervention in cases of humanitarian crises.
His decision to enter politics and run again in 2020 largely stemmed from this belief. In his speech yesterday, Biden emphasized the threat posed by Trump, asking, “Are you ready to vote for freedom? Are you ready to vote for democracy and America? Are you ready to elect Kamala Harris and Tim Walz?”
All the Values I Believed in Were at Risk! After losing his 46-year-old son Beau Biden to brain cancer in 2015, Biden withdrew from the scene. However, following the events in Charlottesville, Virginia, in 2017, he decided to run again.
“All the values I believed in were at risk,” Biden said, adding, “I had lost a part of my soul, I had no intention of running again, but I couldn’t just stand by.” And so, he entered the race against Trump.
Having won the election, Biden spent his four-year term in a “much calmer” White House compared to Trump. What he did and didn’t do are evident. He faced heavy criticism, especially for his Gaza policy. His relationship with Erdoğan and Turkey wasn’t particularly bright. His stars never aligned with Erdoğan. Despite Erdoğan’s strong desire and open expression of it, Biden never invited him to the White House.
So, who was “Pennsylvanian Joe,” and what does his life story tell us?
To summarize: Although Joe Biden was a senator from Delaware, he was actually from Pennsylvania. He was born in 1942 in Scranton, located in northeastern Pennsylvania.
Irish Descent, Law Graduate He was the child of an Irish Catholic family.
Later, he moved to Delaware, where he would become one of the youngest senators in U.S. history. He studied law at Syracuse University. After becoming a lawyer in 1969, he was elected to the U.S. Senate three years later. He became one of the most important figures in Washington, D.C., for nearly 50 years.
When he was elected to the Senate as a young lawyer, he experienced a major family tragedy. Two weeks before his swearing-in ceremony, his wife, daughter, and two sons were involved in a car accident. His wife and daughter died at the scene, while his two sons survived after spending a long time in the hospital.
Traveling by Train Every Day for 30 Years Joe Biden decided to step down from politics before even starting to take care of his two children. However, the Democratic Party leadership convinced him not to resign from the Senate. Biden was now in Washington, D.C., for politics, but he commuted to his home in Delaware every day.
Moreover, he never broke this rule for 30 years. Since he made these trips by train, ordinary people using stations and terminals must have a “Biden memory.” In fact, he would even pause Senate meetings during the day to visit his children.
Biden experienced his second major tragedy with his son Beau. Beau, who was also a lawyer like his father, passed away from a brain tumor in May 2015 at the age of 46. Biden’s other son, Hunter, was always at the center of controversies due to his tumultuous life.
Biden’s son Beau Biden, who died of cancer… He Was a Stutterer as a Child! Joe Biden is a politician who is constantly in the spotlight for his gaffes and “sincerity.” Biden, who stuttered as a child, still doesn’t use a written script when speaking. His speeches without a teleprompter often lead to controversies.
Former U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, speaking to The New Yorker, described Biden as “a politician who loves to connect with people; everything about him is genuine, nothing is artificial!” However, Biden’s close contact with voters and his fondness for physical touch caused him a lot of trouble. Especially during the presidential race, a total of eight women claimed that Biden “inappropriately touched and hugged” them.
As the issue made headlines, Biden said, “I will be more thoughtful in my interactions.”
Biden, who has been active in U.S. politics for the last 50 years, is naturally known for meeting with all the world’s significant politicians. Biden has been involved in every major event over the last half-century in some way and is defined as a “liberal interventionist.”
Takes Initiative in Humanitarian Crises He advocates for intervention in humanitarian crises. For example, he was one of the most fervent supporters of military intervention against the Serbs who committed genocide in Bosnia. His remark to Milosevic, “You’re a damn war criminal, and you deserve to be tried as a damn war criminal!” made headlines.
Biden voted against the Gulf War in 1991, supported the invasion of Iraq in 2003, but later criticized the U.S. for being “too involved in Iraq.” In 2007, Biden also opposed the increase in U.S. military presence in Iraq. However, the experienced politician faced heavy criticism for his Gaza policies.
“Turkey’s Weapons Are Going to ISIS!” Let’s move on to the experienced politician’s history with Turkey. Having served on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and the Judiciary Committee for many years, Biden was directly involved in many issues closely related to Turkey.
For instance, he supported the recognition of the 1915 events as Armenian Genocide by the U.S. and harshly criticized Turkey’s Cyprus policy. Being the senator of Delaware, where the Greek diaspora is very strong, he worked closely with the Greek lobby.
His vice presidency, however, witnessed more moderate events in Turkey-related policies. As Vice President, he visited Turkey four times and held important meetings. He even made history as the first U.S. Vice President to visit the Ecumenical Patriarchate.
During his 2016 visit, Biden met with the family of Can Dündar, who was imprisoned at the time. His last visit was a month after the July 15 coup attempt allegation.
Another incident that caused much controversy in Turkey and drew Erdoğan’s ire was Biden’s speech at Harvard Kennedy School. In October 2014, a few months after his visit to Turkey, Biden said at Harvard that “the biggest problems in the Middle East are the allies” and claimed that the weapons Turkey sent to Syria were going to ISIS. He also stated that Turkey allowed many foreign fighters to cross the border into Syria.
Erdoğan Did Not Invite Him to the White House Erdoğan reacted very strongly to these remarks, saying, “Biden will be history for me if he does not apologize!” Biden was compelled to apologize to Erdoğan over the phone.
On the other hand, Biden’s presidency was marked by a “cooler relationship” between Ankara and Washington. For example, despite all of Erdoğan’s insistence and desires, Biden did not invite him to the White House. Biden also made headlines with his Gaza policy and with the aid sent to Israel.
Lastly, Biden criticized Erdoğan’s policies in Turkey as “authoritarian” and stated that they would actively support the opposition in Turkey. These remarks sparked reactions from Erdoğan.
This is “Pennsylvanian” Joe’s story in a nutshell…
