Over the weekend, the Washington Post reported that Biden and his advisers have been telling political supporters he’ll run for re-election in 2024, and his press secretary confirmed it on Monday, November 22, 2021, The Hill reported here.
That, of course, depends on his health and being renominated.
Biden, who turned 79 on Saturday, underwent health screening last week and seems fine, but will turn 82 two weeks after the 2024 election; and he’s currently tanking in polls, although that likely would change if the pandemic recedes and the economy improves. And if Trump is his opponent again, Trump’s unpopularity would work to his advantage as it did in 2020.
The Hill said, “While Biden’s plans for 2024 could change over the next two years, sources close to the president have maintained since he took office in January that he would campaign for a second term.” What most obviously might change his plans is health; at his age, physical condition can change abruptly, or he might simply run out of gas. Running for president, and being president, takes a lot of energy.
He may have a tactical reason for announcing his intentions now. It might not completely clear the primary field, but it could help him with the task of keeping potential contenders focused on his immediate priorities, instead of thinking about the 2024 race. Passing legislation is easier if Democratic senators and cabinet members (see, e.g., Pete Buttigieg) aren’t spending half their time thinking about running for president, putting campaign organizations in place, and daydreaming about sitting in the Oval Office behind the Resolute Desk.
Not me. That sounds too much like work. I’d rather be in the White House kitchen finding out what’s in the fridge.
