David Brooks Advises Biden to Embrace a Post-Political Stance, Avoid Re-Fighting Old Battles

New York Times columnist David Brooks has publicly advised former President Joe Biden to adopt a more elevated, "post-political" role in his post-presidency, urging him to avoid re-engaging in past partisan conflicts. The advice came after Biden’s recent return to the public spotlight, marked by interviews where he addressed the outcome of the 2024 election and defended his record.

Brooks, speaking on PBS NewsHour, articulated his vision for Biden’s next chapter. He stated that if Biden sought his counsel, he would advise him to transcend the political fray and avoid getting drawn back into old battles. This recommendation stems from Brooks’ belief that former presidents serve the nation best when they rise above partisan politics and offer guidance from a more unifying perspective.

Biden’s recent media appearances, including interviews with the BBC and "The View," have generated considerable discussion. During these interviews, Biden attributed former Vice President Kamala Harris’s loss in the 2024 election to sexism and racism, a claim that has sparked debate among political analysts. He also addressed concerns about his cognitive abilities, asserting that such claims were unfounded and that he could have defeated Donald Trump if he had run again.

Brooks directly challenged Biden’s assertion that he could have defeated Trump, arguing that Harris ran a strong campaign, but was ultimately burdened by the legacy of an unpopular presidency. He suggested that Biden, too, would have faced the same challenge, compounded by concerns about his age. Brooks stated, "I think he’s empirically wrong about that. Kamala Harris ran about as good a campaign as she could. She was saddled with the Biden legacy, an unpopular presidency. Biden would have been saddled by that legacy in addition to his age. So, you take those two factors, it’s hard to see how he wins."

Biden, in his defense, argued that Harris had ample time to mount an effective campaign, claiming she had six months. However, reports indicate that Harris had closer to 90 days to campaign. Brooks attributed Biden’s remarks to a sense of being under attack from both Democrats and Republicans, leading him to defend his record and legacy.

Brooks emphasized that his advice to Biden stemmed from admiration for the former president. He believes that the public seeks leaders who can offer wisdom and guidance from a position above partisan politics, rather than engaging in political squabbles. He cited Jimmy Carter and George W. Bush as examples of former presidents who have adopted a more post-political role, with Bush finding a new avenue for expression and connection through his painting.

During her appearance on "The View," Biden faced questions from co-host Alyssa Farah Griffin regarding allegations of cognitive decline, which were detailed in several new books about the 2024 election. Biden and his wife, former first lady Jill Biden, strongly refuted these claims.

Biden countered the allegations by pointing to the challenges he faced upon entering office, including the aftermath of an insurrection, the COVID-19 pandemic, and various other pressing issues. He asserted that his administration successfully addressed these challenges and made significant progress. He emphatically stated, "They are wrong. There’s nothing to sustain that, number one. Number two, you know, think of what we left with. We left with a circumstance where we had an insurrection when I started, not since the Civil War. We had a circumstance where we were in a position that we — well, the pandemic, because of the incompetence of the last outfit, end up over a million people dying, a million people dying. And we’re also in a situation where we found ourselves unable to deal with a lot of just basic issues, which I won’t go into in the interest of time. And so we went to work, and we got it done."

Jill Biden defended her husband’s work ethic and dedication, stating that those who wrote the books alleging cognitive decline were not privy to the inner workings of the White House. She described Biden’s tireless efforts, including long days of meetings, briefings, and phone calls, emphasizing his commitment to his responsibilities. She stated, "One of the things I think is that the people who wrote those books were not in the White House with us. And they didn’t see how hard Joe worked every single day. I mean, he’d get up. He’d put in a full day, and then at night he would — I’d be in bed, you know, reading my book, and he was still on the phone, reading his briefings. Working with staff. I mean, it was nonstop."

Brooks’ advice to Biden reflects a broader discussion about the role of former presidents in American society. While some argue that former leaders have a responsibility to continue engaging in political discourse and advocating for their policy preferences, others believe that they should adopt a more statesmanlike role, offering guidance and perspective from a position of neutrality. The debate over Biden’s post-presidency underscores the complexities of navigating the transition from political leader to elder statesman. The tension between defending his legacy and rising above the partisan fray presents a unique challenge for the former president as he navigates his next chapter.