Don’t Believe The Spin – Biden’s Predicament Isn’t Comparable To Reagan’s

In early 1983, Ronald Reagan's poll numbers stood at 35%, the lowest they would be during his presidency. Many in the media had written off his chances for reelection. He trailed potential Democratic challengers in hypothetical matchups. In 1984, his poll numbers were at 58%, and he won reelection in a landslide carrying 49 states.

Democrats are drawing comfort from this as Joe Biden seeks reelection. Biden's poll numbers stand around 39%. He trails many potential Republican challengers. Seventy percent of Americans do not want him to seek reelection. Don't worry, Democrats keep saying, Ronald Reagan was in the same situation, and he won in a landslide.

No comparison could be more off-base.

First, Reagan's numbers were as the nation was coming off an economic recession that had begun when Jimmy Carter was President. The economy in 1983 was on an upswing due to Reagan's policies. Americans were optimistic about the economic future. 

The economy under Joe Biden is shrinking. Inflation is the worst since the Carter years.  Three banks have collapsed in the past month, with many fearing that more could follow.  Economists are predicting the start of a recession later in 2023, with the worse to come in 2024. Americans are pessimistic about the economic future. Unlike Reagan, Biden inherited a growing economy, and Biden's misguided policies are blamed for this economic collapse.

Abroad, Reagan rebuilt America's military prowess after the cuts of the Carter administration. He challenged the Soviet Union at the edges of its empire, which would lead to its eventual collapse. When American medical students were in harm in Grenada, Reagan invaded the island nation overthrowing the communist-led junta. American pride surged. America was back again.

Under Joe Biden, America has been in retreat. The images from the withdrawal from Afghanistan reminded many of America's shameful exodus from South Vietnam. Rather than show American military might to rescue the trapped Americans and Afghan allies trapped in Kabul, Biden negotiated and begged with the Taliban. American military equipment was left to the tender mercies of the Taliban. Today, Afghanistan again is becoming the top destination for terrorists. In a press conference, Biden basically invited the Russians to have an incursion into Ukraine and despite arming Ukraine after the invasion is calling for something less than total victory. In Ronald Reagan's America, it was we win, they lose when dealing with our adversaries. Under Biden, China is taking a lead in uniting our enemies from Iran to North Korea to Russia. China openly mocks Joe Biden's woke military and threatens Taiwan with a possible invasion. Our allies around the world fear the American President isn't up to the job and will cave into our enemies demands.  Under Ronald Reagan, our enemies were afraid to test him for fear of what would happen.

The Reagan administration began the tough-on-crime policies that drove down violent crime. Americans felt safe to walk the streets. Under Joe Biden and his allies, criminals are declared the victims. In Maryland, Democrats tried to change first-degree murder to a misdemeanor. Criminals walk the streets, and innocent Americans cower in their homes under Joe Biden.

Ronald Reagan was unchallenged in the Republican Party when he sought reelection in 1984. Republicans could think of no other person to be their nominee. Over 50% of Democrats prefer Biden not seek reelection. He faces a primary challenge from Marianne Williamson and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Combined, they are getting 30% of the Democratic vote in polls.

Democrats may try to delude themselves that 2024 will be like 1984. But that is what it is, a delusion. When Ronald Reagan asked in 1984 his famous question from 1980, “Are you better off now than you were four years ago?” the answer was a resounding yes. For Joe Biden, the answer is a deafening no.

The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the positions of American Liberty News.

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