Will Joe Biden run for re-election in 2024? What do we know so far?
The President turns 80 later this week, but his confidence has been bolstered by a set of midterms results that far exceeded expectations.
Confidence in the White House appears to be riding high after the Democrats exceeded expectations in the 2022 midterms. President Biden’s party have retained the Senate, potentially extending their majority with a win in Georgia next month, and look to have restricted the Republicans to a narrow majority in the House.
Considering the inflationary pressures that have affected Americans throughout 2022 and the historic trend for the ruling party to take a hit in the midterms, Biden’s position has been strengthened greatly by the results.
In a conversation with reporters last week Biden was asked to respond to those who may not wish for him to run for re-election in 2024. His answer: “Watch me.”
Despite turning 80 later this week, Biden was bullish on his prospects and stated that he would discuss it with his family over the holidays and announce a decision “early next year”.
“I think everybody wants me to run, but we’re going to have discussions about it,” Biden said, adding that, ultimately, it would be a “family decision”.
Would Biden win re-election in 2024?
Speaking to reporters Biden insisted that his decision was not based on the results of the midterms and since entering office he has maintained that he would seek a second term in the White House.
“Our intention is to run again,” Biden said. “That’s been our intention regardless of what the outcome of this election was.”
In the months leading up to the midterms Democratic candidates had been asked whether they thought Biden should run again, and most neatly avoided answering. Even the Democrats’ congressional leaders, who should be most closely tied to Biden, have stopped short of offering him their unconditional support.
But the midterm elections have undoubtedly changed things with Biden enjoying a much better performance from his party than his predecessors. In 2018 former President Trump oversaw the Republicans losing control of the House with a 41-seat change.
Eight years earlier former President Obama admitted that he had been “humbled” and his party had suffered a “shellacking” in his first midterms in the Oval Office. That election cycle, the Republicans secured a 60-seat majority in the House.
Biden’s comparative success has leant his presidency some much-needed momentum but the final decision for Democratic candidate may well depend on the likely opponent. On Tuesday evening Trump announced his candidacy, and Biden would fancy his chances of beating him once again.
If the GOP were to opt for a younger alternative, most likely Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, it may be decided that a more youthful candidate would fare better across a gruelling presidential campaign.