Staff Reports
The recent antics of President Joe Biden have left many scratching their heads—especially when he decided to sport a red Trump 2024 hat during a ceremony remembering the 9/11 attacks. Was he trying to tell the world he had a sudden change of heart, or was he just playing dress-up to make a statement? It’s hard to tell, considering he’s been as visible as a ghost at a Halloween party since dropping out of the presidential race a few months ago.
The Biden administration is beginning to feel like a reenactment of the classic horror flick “The Invisible Man.” He made headlines for the hat stunt, but it serves as a startling reminder of how often he’s hidden away. During his last campaign, he was accused of bunker behavior, spending a little too much time in the basement. Now, the presidency seems to follow suit, with Biden making headlines not for taking decisive action but for taking naps and vacations. His low-profile schedule hardly matches the frenetic pace and constant media presence of Trump, who could always be counted on for some verbal fireworks.
The incredible shrinking presidency: Biden out of sight and out of mind@dcexaminer Haisten Willis #Biden #politics https://t.co/M9zXKKZUIj
— Chris Woodward (@ReporterChrisW) September 16, 2024
Biden’s calendar has become a mystery novel. After his less-than-grand exit from the presidential race, he effectively disappeared from the public eye, participating in one or no events most days. Even during significant political gatherings like the Democratic National Convention, he managed to skip out after just a brief appearance, opting instead for a beach getaway, apparently indifferent to the unfolding political theater back home.
His public outings alongside Kamala Harris have been so rare that one might wonder if they’re filming a poorly scripted buddy cop show. Meanwhile, Biden’s “fun in the sun” images became fodder for Trump’s campaign, who gleefully points out the president’s escapades while his administration grapples with the fallout from the Afghanistan withdrawal. As Biden opts for leisure, Trump is busily making inroads with the American electorate by reminding them who the “real” leader might be.
In Biden’s absence, the Cabinet has taken on more prominent roles, leading many to speculate about the administration’s direction. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin seems to be filling the void by revoking plea agreements of the masterminds behind 9/11, while Attorney General Merrick Garland takes a stand against voter ID laws. Interestingly, this shift has opened the door for figures like Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, who is busily commandeering the media spotlight, though his topics rarely stray from Harris’s campaign.
With Harris attempting to channel her boss’s low-key strategy, it’s clear that the administration is pulling a classic case of “hide-and-seek” with the media. The ongoing criticism from journalistic circles regarding limited press access underscores an intelligence lapse that will not sit well with the voting public. The question looms: do voters welcome this silence as a refreshing change from Trump’s constant chatter, or are they left yearning for engagement and transparency?
One thing is for sure: Trump has made an impactful return to the political stage, making it clear that he won’t shy away from pointing out Biden’s shortcomings. As the debate heated up, Trump cleverly questioned Biden’s visibility—calling into question whether the man was even still awake at the wheel. Harris, on the other hand, found herself on the defensive, reminding everyone that Trump wasn’t even applying his expertise against Biden anymore but against her, an awkward shift that illustrated just how far the Biden administration had stumbled.
In the grand scheme of political theater, Biden’s quietude raises serious questions about the future of the presidency and how it currently influences the American landscape. With opinions divided and scrutiny on the rise, it may be time to consider whether voters truly wish to see a leader who keeps things low-key. Historical patterns suggest that great presidents leave indelible marks on the timelines of American history. Sadly, Biden, with his penchant for silence and lack of memorable policies, might end up being only an unwanted footnote. The anticipation for a leader who can shake things up is palpable, proving once again that while the presidency may be quiet now, the loud and captivating presence is always just around the corner, waiting to make a grand entrance.
