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Jacobin Radio

Behind the News: Farewell Biden w/ Branko Marcetic

Jan 3, 2025
Branko Marcetic, Jacobin staff writer and author of Yesterday's Man, delivers a critical farewell to Joe Biden, dissecting his presidency and public approval decline. He also critiques media figures like Joe Scarborough for influencing political discourse. Joining him, Santiago Perez, an economics professor at UC Davis, presents a revealing study on the unchanged socioeconomic dynamics in elite college admissions. Their conversation dives into the stark inequalities within higher education and the broader implications for society and democracy.
53:01

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Joe Biden's presidency is marked by disappointment, facing criticism for unfulfilled promises amid challenges like war and inflation.
  • Over his career, Biden shifted from a left-leaning populist to a centrist, influenced by corporate interests and prevailing political winds.

Deep dives

The Disappointing Presidency of Joe Biden

Joe Biden's presidency is characterized by an overall disappointing performance, leaving him with a net approval rating of minus 19, as many feel he has not fulfilled the promises and expectations set at the beginning of his term. Despite some early optimism that he could be the new Franklin D. Roosevelt, challenges such as war, inflation, and concerns about his mental capacity have overshadowed his achievements. Critics argue that his political track record has culminated in a presidency that has done substantial damage to the nation, both domestically and internationally. The discussion also highlights that while some personal experiences merit sympathy, they do not outweigh the perceived failures of his administration.

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