Opinion: How Biden can avoid Carter’s fate as president

Biden's Tense Tenure: How to Avoid Carter's Fate

We find ourselves in challenging times for President Biden. His administration is grappling with a series of escalating crises, gradually eroding their leadership and political clout. These crises span from Russian aggression in Ukraine, inflation, stock market volatility, mass shootings, an impending Supreme Court ruling that might overturn Roe v. Wade, and the ongoing pandemic with its accompanying insecurity.

According to a new CNN poll, over 80% of Americans express concern or anxiety about the current state of the nation. Irrespective of whether these issues can be attributed to the President's performance, polls indicate that public perception of his leadership has taken a hit[1].

The specter of a President losing control amidst a litany of crises can be extremely damaging. Worse still, this creates a feedback loop, as a diminished political stature makes crisis resolution more difficult, thereby exacerbating the problem. The case of former President Jimmy Carter, who lost his reelection bid in 1980 due to his slow response to crises ranging from stagflation to the energy crisis, serves as a cautionary tale[1].

Of course, a fair analysis of Biden's Presidency requires acknowledging that he faces a Republican Party that thrives on obstruction, thereby making it nearly impossible for him to secure the votes needed for bill passage. The 50-50 Senate split, coupled with the opposition of key Democratic Senators like Joe Manchin from West Virginia and Kyrsten Sinema from Arizona, has frequently thwarted the President's agenda—even during the height of the pandemic[1].

The infrastructure and rescue bills offer some room for maneuver, but Biden's progress has largely stalled.

Biden won the 2020 election in part on the promise of bringing "political experience" to the White House, something the United States hadn't enjoyed since the presidency of George H.W. Bush. Bush served as a legislative ally for former presidents like Lyndon Johnson and Richard Nixon. Contrasting with his predecessor's tumultuous tenure, Biden pledged to be a stable and effective leader.

However, two years into his Presidency, Biden seems increasingly overwhelmed—and powerless. While Americans no longer have to endure near-constant Twitter tirades, they remain deeply pessimistic in the face of a mounting tide of bad news[1]. If Biden fails to turn the tide or even provide a glimmer of hope, he may experience the same fate as Carter.

Carter's 1980 reelection bid saw him attempting to keep pace with the events instead of effectively addressing them. Like Biden, Carter faced a myriad of major crises: economic stagflation, an energy crisis that led to high gas prices and insufficient supplies, the Iran hostage crisis, and the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, which threatened the Persian Gulf region[1].

Despite Carter's tireless efforts to solve these problems, including facilitating a series of secret negotiations to free the hostages, most American voters saw him as an "inept" leader. With the nation on edge, Carter seemed unable to command the situation. It's hardly surprising that his challenger in the 1980 Presidential election, Ronald Reagan, generated widespread enthusiasm with his assertion: "A recession is when your neighbor loses his job. Depression is when you lose yours. His time. Jimmy Carter will recover when he loses it."

These developments had profound consequences for national politics. The Democrats suffered losses both in the White House and the Senate, opening the door for Reagan and a wide-ranging conservative movement. This right-shift reshaped the courts, weakened social safety nets, and redefined political debate. When former President Donald Trump solidified a 6:3 conservative majority on the Supreme Court, it was the culmination of a decade-long process that began in 1980[1].

If current trends persist, Biden may soon usher in a new era defined by a radical Republican Party under Trump or a more polished and politically savvy version under Trump's Florida governor, Ron DeSantis.

So, what steps could Biden take to prevent this outcome? The combination of ongoing crises and a determined opposition party must have limited his options. However, the executive branch remains a potent weapon for addressing problems the legislature cannot. As California Congressman Ro Khanna argued, the White House could certainly establish a crisis task force focused on inflation, inviting officials from the Departments of Agriculture and Energy to help manage food and fuel prices[1].

Biden could also boldly push for vital legislation like sensible gun control and face Republican obstruction head-on. He appears to be working on this, as his speech last night condemned the "senseless" Republicans' obstructionist tactics. Yet, a speech is not enough. Biden should continue to apply pressure to the lawmakers, prodding them to take action in the wake of the Buffalo and Uvalde mass shootings[1].

Biden should also continue supporting Ukraine's attempts to defend itself against Russian aggression, while simultaneously advocating for the preservation of NATO. Biden has played a crucial role in this regard, and he should make it clear that he has staved off an existential threat to democracy and restored America's international standing[1].

Despite an overcritical and occasionally exaggerated tone, Biden can certainly contribute to restoring trust by clearly, concisely, and persuasively outlining his plans for guiding the nation out of these turbulent times. He must continue to emphasize the radical leadership that will emerge from the Republican majority and acknowledge that bipartisan solutions are currently beyond reach.

Biden still has time to solidify his position – many previous Presidents have weathered a difficult second year and gone on to win reelection. Of course, controlling inflation will be the most pressing concern, and if it can be brought under control, Biden's position should improve.

However, if he fails to act quickly, the intensifying crisis could swiftly undermine his chances of victory.

Sign up for our free, weekly newsletter

• Subscribe to CNN Opinion's newsletter.
• Follow us on Twitter and Facebook, even if the chaos of almost constant Twitter tirades requires no further self-explanation.

Biden should be cognizant that his public image has been tarnished by polling. His responses to crises play a significant role in this. If, however, he is able to successfully tackle a few major challenges and present their solutions, he can improve his public image and enhance his standing in the White House.

It may be crucial for both achieving past accomplishments and boosting his electoral prospects to ensure that the public perceives the White House as directly involved in crisis resolution. This can be achieved by emphasizing clear, decisive communication, highlighting policy alignment with public sentiment, and consistently demonstrating political strength.

By successfully accomplishing these objectives, President Biden could significantly bolster his image in this critical period of his Presidency and substantially strengthen his position in the Oval Office.

Source: *

Enrichment Data:

To avoid facing Jimmy Carter's fate of losing reelection due to poor crisis management, President Biden can take several steps:

1. Proactive Communication:
2. Transparency and Clarity: Regularly communicate with the public about the crisis, its causes, and the steps being taken to address it. This helps build trust and confidence in the administration's ability to manage the situation[2].
3. Effective Crisis Management Team:
4. Strong Leadership: Ensure that the crisis management team is well-coordinated and led by a strong, decisive leader. This team should include experts from various fields relevant to the crisis at hand[2].
5. Swift and Decisive Action:
6. Immediate Response: Respond quickly to emerging crises, as delay can exacerbate the situation and erode public confidence. Swift action demonstrates a proactive approach to problem-solving[2][4].
7. Public Engagement:
8. Community Outreach: Engage with the public through town halls, public forums, and social media to address concerns and provide updates. This helps to build a sense of community and shared responsibility in addressing the crisis[2].
9. Policy Consistency:
10. Clear Messaging: Maintain consistent messaging and policy approaches to avoid confusion and mixed signals. This helps to build trust and credibility with the public and other stakeholders[2].
11. Learning from Past Mistakes:
12. Historical Context: Understand the historical context of previous crises, such as the Iranian Hostage Crisis under Carter, to avoid repeating similar mistakes. Analyze what went wrong and how it can be improved upon[1][2].
13. International Coordination:
14. Global Partnerships: Foster strong international partnerships to address global crises. This can include diplomatic efforts, economic sanctions, or military interventions, depending on the nature of the crisis[2].
15. Economic Stability:
16. Fiscal Responsibility: Manage the economy effectively to mitigate the impact of crises on the economy. This includes measures like reducing deficits, increasing interest rates, and implementing policies to stimulate economic growth[4].
17. Regulatory Reforms:
18. Streamlining Processes: Implement regulatory reforms to streamline processes and reduce bureaucratic red tape. This can help in responding quickly to emergencies and implementing policies more efficiently[3].
19. Post-Crisis Evaluation:
    • Lessons Learned: Conduct thorough evaluations of crisis responses to identify areas for improvement. This helps in refining strategies and policies for future crises, ensuring that lessons learned are applied to future challenges[2].

By following these strategies, President Biden can improve his administration's ability to manage crises effectively and avoid the pitfalls that led to Jimmy Carter's reelection loss.