Summary of "Biden's Tar Pit Plunge" – The Duncan & Coe History Show

Podcast Information:

• Title: The Duncan & Coe History Show
• Hosts: Mike Duncan and Alexis Ko
• Episode: Biden's Tar Pit Plunge
• Release Date: November 27, 2024

In the episode titled "Biden's Tar Pit Plunge," hosts Mike Duncan and Alexis Ko delve into the intricate legacy of President Joe Biden. The discussion centers around Alexis Ko’s recent articles assessing Biden's historical standing and the factors influencing his presidential legacy. Through a rigorous historical lens, the hosts analyze Biden's actions, decisions, and their long-term implications.

Presidential Legacy: Setting the Stage

Mike Duncan initiates the conversation by highlighting Alexis Ko’s two pivotal articles that examine President Biden's legacy. He states:

"Alexis has recently written not one, but two articles about the looming historical judgment of Biden's legacy as president."
[00:06]

Alexis Ko responds by metaphorically comparing the situation to a scene from "Austin Powers," where a "steamroller" represents the impending judgment on Biden’s presidency:

"First one was really like that scene from Austin Powers where the steamroller is coming towards you. It was pretty close already. I've been watching it for a little. The second one, it had happened. The steamroller had steamrolled."
[00:49]

Critical Analysis of Biden’s Decisions

Duncan elaborates on the first article, titled "Biden Should Resign the Presidency to Save His Legacy," written during Biden's campaign phase. He explains how Ko urged Biden to consider his historical legacy in his decision-making process.

"You can put personal appeals that aren't going to move him... But if you put in front of him the idea that his historical legacy is actually in doubt here and his historical legacy is in danger, that he might actually listen to that because that's the kind of, that's the place a president's mind is at this point in their lives."
[04:05] – Mike Duncan

Ko outlines a three-step plan she proposed to Biden to protect his legacy:

1. Step aside as a candidate to allow the party to move forward.
2. Resign the presidency to ensure capable leadership.
3. Support Kamala Harris in assuming the role, distancing her from his policies to allow her to run independently.

The Fallout: Choosing Legacy Over Presidency

Mike Duncan connects Ko’s advice to Biden’s subsequent withdrawal from the race shortly after the publication of her article. He speculates that Ko’s insights were instrumental in Biden’s decision to step back:

"Canon, at least it's headcanon, at least for me, that this article single handedly led Joe Biden to drop out of the race."
[06:03] – Mike Duncan

However, while Biden withdrew from the race, he did not resign from the presidency, which Ko criticizes as a crucial misstep that severely damaged his legacy.

"In this moment... he did to his legacy what Charles Guiteau did to James A. Garfield in that Fateful July of 1881. Inflicted a mortal wound that would take a few months to kill."
[07:39] – Mike Duncan

Examination of Presidential Characteristics

The hosts discuss the inherent egomania of presidents, suggesting that Biden's inability to resign stems from his deep-seated need for power and recognition. Duncan remarks:

"The type of person who runs for the presidency in the first place is like an insane egomaniac... Biden is amongst the most sort of self-centered people on earth, because otherwise he wouldn't be a leader like this."
[08:06] – Mike Duncan

Ko adds that modern presidencies demand a level of personality and drama that past presidents lacked, contributing to the current crisis of legacy.

"18th, 19th and even some 20th century presidents simply did not have the personality to run in the 21st century... Once it starts, you can't stop."
[09:28] – Alexis Ko

Historical Context and Comparisons

Duncan draws parallels between Biden's presidency and historical figures, emphasizing that internal scandals and mismanagement will likely tarnish his legacy. He anticipates that future historians will uncover numerous instances of Biden's cognitive and physical decline being concealed from the public and his party:

"There was an ongoing concerted effort to hide from the public and even from other Democratic politicians just sort of how bad Biden had slipped just on a cognitive level and on a physical level."
[13:35] – Mike Duncan

Ko reflects on Biden’s long career and persistent pursuit of power, noting that his relentless ambition overshadowed his capabilities:

"He entered office at 29... Once it starts, you can't stop."
[09:28] – Alexis Ko

The Declining Legacy: Predictions and Implications

The discussion moves toward the inevitability of Biden’s legacy being viewed unfavorably. They consider whether any presidential legacies have recovered from similar downfalls and conclude that Biden is likely to remain in the lower echelons of presidential rankings.

"I don't think he'll get above the bottom 15. I don't like to predict the future."
[19:24] – Alexis Ko

Duncan supports this by comparing Biden to other presidents who left office on low notes and remained poorly regarded:

"Biden is clearly going out on a low note. So do you think that he is ever going to be rehabilitated... he's just going to sit in that bottom 10 or even bottom five for like, the rest of America's existence."
[18:00] – Mike Duncan

Concluding Remarks: The Irreversible Damage

In their final exchange, Duncan underscores the irreversible damage to Biden’s legacy, emphasizing that Ko’s initial appeal has been upended by his failure to fully step aside.

"This verdict will be brutal, and it'll be like a cuneiform. It's going to be chiseled in stone. He left democracy's door ajar. You got to lock it."
[19:40] – Alexis Ko

Duncan closes the episode by reiterating the significance of Ko’s articles in shaping the discourse around Biden’s presidency:

"Always listen to Alexis. That's a very good rule of thumb."
[20:31] – Mike Duncan

Key Takeaways

• Alexis Ko’s Articles: Ko’s analyses provide a critical view of Biden's presidency, advocating for significant actions to preserve his legacy.
• Legacy vs. Presidency: The hosts debate the tension between maintaining a positive historical legacy and the practicalities of presidential governance.
• Historical Comparisons: Biden's presidency is likened to historical figures whose legacies suffered due to personal and administrative failings.
• Irreversible Decline: Both hosts agree that Biden’s legacy is marred by his inability to step aside and manage his administration effectively, likely leaving him with a low historical ranking.

Notable Quotes:

• "Commanders in Chief hold most dear their place in presidential history."
  – Mike Duncan [01:54]

• "Biden could have been his legacy savior. Instead, he chose to become its executioner."
  – Mike Duncan [08:06]

• "It's insidious. Once it starts, you can't stop."
  – Alexis Ko [09:28]

• "When future historians chronicle his presidency, his pathological grip on power will eclipse everything else."
  – Mike Duncan [08:06]

• "This verdict will be brutal, and it'll be like a cuneiform. It's going to be chiseled in stone."
  – Alexis Ko [19:40]

Conclusion

"Biden's Tar Pit Plunge" offers a profound examination of President Joe Biden’s legacy through the expert lenses of Mike Duncan and Alexis Ko. The episode underscores the complexities of presidential history, the critical importance of legacy preservation, and the potential long-term ramifications of Biden’s presidency. Through detailed analysis and historical context, the hosts provide listeners with a comprehensive understanding of the challenges faced by modern presidents in safeguarding their place in history.