The current American president presumptively calls himself “the most powerful man in the world”, given that we have not yet seen a woman in the highest office of the USA. But even if the question of whether the USA remains the strongest country on the planet or has lost ground in the competition with China is still bypassed, the truth is that within borders the power of the “planetary” is rather limited.

In order to succeed, he is constantly forced to work out compromises with the opposition in Congress. Otherwise, the decrees he signs can easily be revoked by his successor. An example is the ratification of the Paris Agreement, which Donald Trump revoked during his term.

By internal policy criteria, Biden’s first term in the White House is considered a success, even if the left wing of the Democrats is not completely satisfied. The current president has launched major infrastructure projects that will benefit generations to come. With the obvious aim of curbing inflation, he passed a series of economic measures, largely adopting protectionist criteria for the domestic industry that are not far from Donald Trump’s “America First” doctrine. The reduction in drug prices for millions of American citizens is also considered positive.

Beyond that, Biden managed to leave his mark on foreign policy as well. He is one of the last Prussian defenders of transatlantic relations and is responsible for the generous financial aid to Ukraine. His re-election would be good news for Germany, Europe and the Western Alliance in general, especially at a time when war is raging on European soil.

The new generation of Republicans is being prepared

But 80-year-old Joe Biden is already today the oldest sitting president in the history of the United States, and the question is reasonable whether he will be able to complete a second term. When he even has the rather unpopular Vice President Kamala Harris by his side.

According to the polls, Joe Biden would have a serious chance of re-election only if he is called upon to face Donald Trump once more. And Trump may be leading the Republican nomination polls today, but his nomination is not considered certain. He faces pending lawsuits and charges of fraud, tax evasion, incitement to racial hatred. Other Republicans also have aspirations, including former US High Commissioner to the UN Nikki Haley, ultra-conservative Florida Gov. Ron DeSandis and South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott, who I’d consider the current favorite.

It remains doubtful whether the rather “worn” Biden could face the new generation of Republicans in a grueling campaign, with constant rhetorical confrontations. Consequently, the bet of those Democrats who expect a re-nomination of Trump in the opposing camp is risky. There is a serious possibility that they will lose the White House, having …overestimated Donald Trump.

There is no doubt that Joe Biden has rendered great service to his country. Not (only) because he prevented a second Trump term, but mainly because with his experience he managed to prioritize and implement the political priorities that American society needed.

But politics is not fair. And Biden would not be the first political leader in history whose glory will primarily be reaped by his descendants or successors. Democrats betting on Biden primarily want to avoid Trump. And this shows how much they fear him after all.