Towards the definitive end of his political career and his one presidential term, Joe Biden hasn’t been able to secure the necessary funds for his presidential library.
The Daily Caller reports:
The problem stems, in part, from Biden’s weakness as a fundraiser, with the president reportedly unwilling to partake in fundraising tactics such as inviting mega-donors to spend the night at the White House, the outlet reported. Some donors have stated they won’t make decisions until the result of the November election is clear, with some also noting continued animosity and confusion due to Biden’s early exit from the 2024 presidential race and his short-lived re-election campaign more broadly.
This is in sharp contrast to the influx of donations Harris received after replacing Joe Biden on the ticket, giving Democrats a historic war chest and a consistent leg up on Republicans in terms of dollars raised and dollars spent.
Traditionally, the establishment of a presidential library is viewed as a testament to a president’s legacy and achievements. For many past presidents, the process of fundraising for such an institution has been relatively smooth. However, Biden’s struggle could reflect a broader discontent among potential donors and supporters, questioning the direction and efficacy of his administration.
If potential donors are reluctant to contribute to a library that symbolizes a presidency viewed as ineffective, it could be a sign of deeper dissatisfaction not only with Biden but also with Harris, who has been tied closely to his policies and governance, and said herself that she couldn’t think of anything she’d do differently if she had been Commander in Chief over the past four years.
Compounding the challenges Harris faces, there have been accusations of Biden himself sabotaging her campaign. He repeatedly praised Florida Governor Ron DeSantis in the wake of Hurricane Milton while Harris was accusing him of playing political games, briefly donned a Trump hat, and most recently called Trump supporters garbage, creating a public relations nightmare for her campaign. Such claims, if true, indicate a lack of unity within the administration and suggest that the president could undermine her ability to win in November.
Some donors may be withholding donations until the election plays out, signaling that they may believe Biden will be at least partially to blame if Harris loses, whether that’s based on his tenure in office or how he behaved in the months since he was ousted from the ticket.
The Daily Caller continues:
The fundraising challenges for his presidential library would not be the first time Biden has run into issues with winning over donors, with Democratic mega-donors like Abigail Disney pulling their financial support for the president after his disastrous June debate performance.
Biden claimed his alma maters Syracuse University and the University of Delaware are “competing” to be the chosen location of the library, along with several other institutions, according to a transcript of an interview Biden gave to Special Counsel Robert Hur. Officials from the University of Pennsylvania — the Ivy League university that four of Biden’s grandchildren and his deceased son Beau attended — purportedly have also had discussions about hosting the center, the WSJ reported.
Since Franklin Delano Roosevelt, former presidents have privately built libraries where their personal and presidential letters are stored. Now, Biden is allegedly running into challenges raising between $200 million and $300 million, which his allies think will be necessary for him to establish his own, according to the WSJ.
Give him a “bookmobile” and save us all the aggravation.
I would donate a copy of Joe’s favorite book…
“See Spot Run!”
He can have his library in Gitmo, where he and his co-horts belong for treason.