Joe Biden’s post-presidential journey seems to be laced with hardship. In stark contrast to the glory that we usually witness when a president steps down, it appears Biden is enduring challenges to land speaking engagements.
Perhaps his credibility has taken a blow, or maybe the general public isn’t as captivated by his rhetoric as they were during his tenure. Whatever the reason, it’s surprising to see that the speaking opportunities are not lining up for him.
The struggle isn’t just limited to speaking engagements, it extends to financial shortfalls as well. Biden was highly anticipated to have an affluent post-presonal period, mirroring previous presidents. However, as per the latest reports, this expected windfall seems to be dwindling.
This narrative of struggle extends to his book deal too. Hachette Book Group signed Biden for a $10 million advance. While it may sound like a significant number, the figures are surprisingly humble when placed beside his Democratic predecessors.
Barack Obama and Bill Clinton, who held the presidential office with significantly more flair, received far heftier advances for their books. Obama netted an impressive $60 million for their memoirs, a figure dwarfing Biden’s modest signing amount. As comparison, Bill Clinton received a $15 million signing amount. It seems Biden was ill-prepared to leverage his presidential legacy economically.
Reports are also speculating that Biden is likely to face substantial resistance in the funding for his presidential library. If true, it is an added blow to Biden’s post-presidential prestige. Presidential libraries often act as hallmarks of a President’s leadership, but it seems like Joe’s might be strapped for funds.
Yet, we can’t wholly blame the companies booking Biden for speaking arrangements. His appeal is quite ‘limited,’ as stated in the report. Biden may need to reassess the public perception of himself if he wants to increase these opportunities.
To an onlooker, it might seem like the former president is just not exerting enough effort to land a prosperous post-presidential career. However, it’s not entirely the case. These reports might also point towards a potential decline in his popularity and affect.
But let’s take a moment to understand the scale of this. Historical data indicates that by the end of the first post-presidential year, most presidents have an array of speaking engagements lined up. They usually enjoy a barrage of opportunities, which doesn’t seem to be the case for Biden.
Post-presidency periods are traditionally seen as lucrative and fulfilling years. For Biden, it seems these assumptions are getting debunked. In the bigger picture, reports of his limited appeal and fundraising issues portray a disappointing picture of his current standing.
Comparing Biden’s experience to that of his predecessors sheds a certain light on his struggle. Obama and Clinton were able to capitalize on their presidential legacies, gaining massive financial benefits in the process. Biden’s less-than-impressive book deal signals an inability to cash on his legacy in the same way.
Biden’s inability to secure these lucrative ventures could potentially reflect the opinion of the public. It beguiles the mind as these hurdles seem unanticipated considering the typical transitions of former presidents.
The inability to secure adequate funding for his presidential library, as pointed out in the reports, further reinforces the notion that Biden’s post-presidency allure might not be as strong. Presidential libraries, historically, gain ample financial support. Biden’s fundraising difficulties suggest a challenging road ahead for his legacy.
Despite the fairly rewarding future that presidents often anticipate after stepping down, Biden’s struggles paint a divergent scenario. His financial windfall, book deal, and speaking opportunities are falling short, causing worry for the future of his legacy.
As we look at these factors, we are left to wonder if, perhaps, Biden’s post-presidential journey isn’t quite meeting the grandeur one might expect after occupying the Oval Office. These observations offer a picture of Biden caught in an unexpected struggle of reputation and financial success.
The post The Unanticipated Struggle of Biden’s Post-presidential Career appeared first on Real News Now.
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