On April 25th, 2019, Joe Biden announced his run for President of the United States. He pledged to be a uniter and leader who could heal the soul of the nation. The Biden strategy was not to necessarily generate enthusiasm, but to use his name recognition and seemingly unbreakable support among minority voters to cruise to the nomination. After crushing defeats in both Iowa and New Hampshire Biden may still linger on, but will South Carolina be the death blow to his campaign, just as it was to Jeb Bush?

In 2016 Jeb Bush ran as a traditional Republican, someone who offended and energized no one. He believed he could build a broad coalition and was the early front runner until Donald Trump decided to challenge the status quo. Whether you believe he is right or wrong, you cannot deny that Trump had a message that energized people and started a movement bigger than himself. Biden’s only message is a vague platitude that signals no substantive policy positions. He doesn’t stand for anything, and seemingly changes his policies at a moment’s notice if he encounters any resistance. He, like Jeb Bush and Hillary Clinton, possesses an obnoxious sense of entitlement for the presidency, as if it is his turn to lead. I believe this is why he is so angered when he encounters tough questions at his events, because no one should dare question the inevitably of his victory. Well, the only inevitable thing about Joe Biden’s campaign is blame shifting and defeat.

Joe Biden failing to become the nominee may be the best-case scenario for the Democrats. I, as a Republican, used to fear his candidacy and I believed in his claim that he could unite the country against Trump.  However, as time has passed his flaws have become more and more apparent. In any debate he would have a hard time keeping up with Trump, as Trump could use Biden’s long, failed record and lackluster debating skills against him. Biden would also be unable to match Trump’s stamina, and his low energy approach would be overshadowed by Trump’s political and media savviness at every turn. 

There is still a possibility that Biden can rebound and win the nomination, especially since states built for Biden haven’t had their say in the process yet. But these early failures show weakness and the lack of interest that Democrats have in nominating another corporate, status quo politician. While I may disagree in the policies of the Democrats and their candidates, I have respect for those that seek something deeper than supposed electability when choosing our country’s leader. No one is entitled to the presidency, and each vote must be earned. Joe Biden will be another example in a long list of failures of uninspiring candidates who let their entitlement blind them from the path of victory.