Five months. That’s how much is time left in the presidency of Joe Biden. After weeks of pressure from top Democratic officials and donors to step aside as the party’s nominee—combined with polling showing that he would be unable to beat his opponent, former President Donald Trump, in the November ballot—Biden announced that he would no longer be seeking reelection. The overriding concern was that time had finally caught up with Biden. At 81 years of age and after 50 years of public service as a senator, vice president and now president, it was finally time for him to pass the torch.
Almost immediately, the withering criticism Biden had endured since his disastrous debate performance in June turned to praise. Former President Barack Obama, under whom Biden served as vice president and who awarded Biden the Presidential Medal of Freedom, called him “a patriot of the highest order.” Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer was effusive, saying Biden has “not only been a great president and a great legislative leader but he is a truly amazing human being.” Even Republicans joined in, with Sen. Lindsey Graham, a Trump supporter, remarking that, “while we have political differences, I appreciate his lifelong service to our nation, which he dearly loves.”
The last president to not seek reelection was Lyndon Johnson in 1968. But he had already been president for more than a single term, having served out the final portion of John F. Kennedy’s term before running and winning the 1964 election. Similarly, Harry Truman and Calvin Coolidge opted not to run again, but after having also completed the terms of their predecessors, both of whom died in office. One needs to go back to Rutherford Hayes in the 19th century to find a president who decided not to seek reelection after having truly served just one term.