Biden begins the second half of his term marred by the scandal of classified documents

The president's popularity remains stable, helped by improving economic data

MADRID, 20 Ene. (EUROPA PRESS) -

The president of the United States, Joe Biden, celebrates this Friday his second anniversary in the White House, in a term that began just a few weeks after the assault on the Capitol and that faces its last half with the doubts raised by the discovery of official documents linked to his stage as 'number two' of the Barack Obama Administration.

The appearance of theoretically protected documents in various places linked to Biden, including his home in Delaware, has caused the president his first major scandal in months and has served as a throwing weapon for some Republicans who are now alleging double standards with respect to former president Donald. Trump.

It is perhaps the most media problem that Biden must now face, in a context marked by economic pressure derived largely from the military offensive launched by Russia on Ukraine almost eleven months ago. A poll published in December by Gallup reflected that, for 40 percent of the population, economic problems are their main concern.

The president accumulates open fronts in health matters, due to the rise in prices, or in immigration, as has been made clear with the announcement of a policy that limits the arrival of foreigners and tries to contain the rise in arrivals at the border with Mexico.

In addition, there is the eternal debate on taxes, particularly on the tax pressure that should be imposed on large fortunes and companies, and the question of what the role of the United States should be vis-à-vis Russia, in a context in which Ukraine demands from its international allies a greater commitment to the shipment of heavy weapons and, in particular, tanks.

As usual, Biden started his term on January 20, 2021 with an approval in terms of image, above 50 percent. The wear and tear was noticeable in the following months and, in August, the chaotic withdrawal of troops in Afghanistan ended up consolidating a downward trend that it has not been able to overcome.

The summary of polls prepared by Five Thirty Eight now places the level of support for Biden below 44 percent, although a slight upturn is detected and, in any case, the collapse that he experienced in July 2022 seems somewhat more distant.

Then, the unprecedented rise in basic products such as fuel and food and the apparent political blockade took their toll on a Biden who came back after several milestones such as the death of the leader of Al Qaeda, Aiman ​​al Zawahiri, the approval of the Reduction Law of Inflation or the removal of university debts.

This rebound also favored Democratic aspirations in the November elections, in which Biden's party managed to at least maintain control of the Senate. The Republican Party, however, has controlled the House of Representatives since this month, from where it can formulate initiatives contrary to the interests of the White House, such as a possible investigation into the management of secret papers by Biden.

The analyst Nathaniel Rakich cites in Five Thirty Eight as the main theory of endurance in the image of the president the containment of inflation -in December it remained at 6.5 percent year-on-year- and the reduction in fuel prices, measures both touch the pocket of consumers and, by extension, potential voters.

Rakich warns that the effect that the discovery of the classified documents will have remains to be seen, to the extent that the few polls that have come to light after the controversy show an apparent consensus that Biden acted badly. In fact, a recent study by Quinnipiac University showed that two thirds of citizens were following the information in this regard, which shows its potential social significance.

Biden has yet to clarify whether he will try to run for re-election in the 2024 presidential elections. If he prevails in said appointment, he would begin his second stage in the White House on January 20, 2025 at the age of 82, which for many analysts is its main ballast.

In this sense, and as confirmed by multiple sources close to the president on The Hill portal, Biden would announce between February and April his intention to stand for re-election and thus clear up doubts about his ability to continue governing the country due to his advanced age.

The Biden campaign is finalizing the announcement schedule. Two possibilities are being considered for now: an announcement in February, around the celebration of the State of the Union speech, or a more formal presentation in April.

In the rival camp, there are already those who have begun to make a move, like Trump himself, who, oblivious to the controversies that continue to haunt him from various fronts, has already confirmed that he wants to appear again on the list of candidates in the Republican Party primaries. .