Democracy Dies in Darkness

Opinion Biden’s approach to the presidency was flawed from the start

Columnist|
January 21, 2022 at 8:15 a.m. EST
President Biden delivers remarks in the Cabinet Room of the White House on Jan. 20. (Demetrius Freeman/The Washington Post)

Joe Biden’s approach to the presidency is outdated and ineffective. The sooner he acknowledges that, the sooner he can change course.

The endless presidential debates and forums of 2019 revealed two problems with the Democratic field. Two leading candidates, Sens. Bernie Sanders (Vt.) and Elizabeth Warren (Mass.), promised big, far-reaching agendas. That approach held two obvious dangers: Their plans might turn off too many voters to win the general election; or else, once in office, they might not be able to get them adopted.