In 2020, Joe Biden became the 46th President of the United States. Following the end of the Trump administration, Biden has taken the helm of a country deeply impacted by the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. With the 2020 election cycle still fresh in the minds of many, discussions of the future of the Biden presidency have already begun. Many questions remain up in the air, one of the biggest being whether or not Biden’s Presidency could be one-and-done.
It’s natural to ask this question, particularly given the contentious and personal nature of the last US presidential election cycle. After all, President Trump also only served a single term, leaving many to question what the future of the Biden administration holds. In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the different possibilities and implications that would come from Biden’s presidencies being one-and-done. We’ll also dive into some of the possible scenarios that could see the Biden admin heading for a second term.
Impact of Biden’s Presidency Ending After One Term
If Biden’s presidency were to end after one term, it would produce a wide range of effects. These impacts would range from the political to the economic, from the cultural to the international. Let’s take a look at some of the most notable:
- Political Effects
The political effects of a one-and-done Biden presidency would be far-reaching. At the most basic level, however, it would serve to set a precedent that the US presidency could be held by the same party for only a single term. As such, US domestic politics could become much more divided, with parties engaging in a battle for the White House for an extended period.
It would also lead to a certain amount of uncertainty: if Biden fails to have a successful single term and the subsequent election goes to the opposing party, there could be a degree of political turmoil as the new party acclimates to power.
- Economic Effects
Economically, a Biden one-term presidency might also have a number of negative ramifications. For one, it could result in a large degree of uncertainty regarding economic policies and practices, leading to companies cutting back on spending and investment. This, in turn, could lead to stagnant or even declining economic growth.
Moreover, given the impact of Biden’s COVID-19 relief package, the US economy could be thrown into disarray if plans to stimulate the economy were to be reversed, and Biden was to lose office.
- Social Effects
Internally, issues arising from a one-term Biden presidency could have a long-term impact on the social fabric of the United States. Given the toxic atmosphere of recent US politics, it could cause divisions to deepen or further solidify if Biden fails to capture a second term. Moreover, certain policies and initiatives such as gun control, abortion rights, and climate change which Biden has supported could end up being rolled back in the event of his one-term presidency.
- International Effects
From an international perspective, the effects could be just as wide-ranging, with the world watching intently to see the aftermath of another single-term US president. A failure to capture a second term could signify a loss of US soft-power in the world, as countries not only assess the US’ role in global affairs but also take note of how domestic US issues can affect a president’s term.
Will Biden Serve a Second Term?
Of course, many of the above thoughts will remain hypothetical if Biden were to secure a second term in office. That said, the question of whether or not Biden will indeed be one-and-done remains. Before making a discerning assessment of whether or not Biden will serve another term in office, let’s take a look at some of the possible scenarios that could unfold for Biden in the upcoming election cycle.
- Biden Struggles To Overcome Controversy & Accomplish Goals
If Biden struggles to accomplish the goals he has set out for himself and continues to be overshadowed by controversy, it’s likely that his chances of securing a second term may be significantly diminished. This could be worsened if the economic and cultural divides in the United States continue to widen during Biden’s presidency.
- Biden Successfully Overcomes Challenges & Unites Divided Country
Should Biden be successful in uniting the divided citizens of the United States, it could lead to a large degree of success in the polls. As political divides continue to blight the US political landscape, it will take strong and consistent leadership from Biden to bridge the chasm between the two ideologies.
- Biden Weathered By a Crushing Loss In 2022 Midterm Elections
The outcome of the 2022 midterm elections could prove decisive in the Biden administration’s fortunes. If the Democrats suffer a severe loss, it could signal a loss of faith in the Biden administration by US citizens. This could bode ill for his chances of a second term.
- Biden Retires From Politics
If Biden chooses to retire from politics, either before or after his term in office, it would obviously make it impossible for him to run for a second term. Though Biden has indicated an interest in continuing in politics, the possibility of him retiring can’t be discounted.
Whether or not President Biden’s presidency will be one-and-done is anyone’s guess. At the end of the day, it will come down to how Biden is able to confront the challenges ahead and heal the wounds of a country that has been highly fractured by recent events. Only time will tell if Biden’s Presidency ends after one term, or if it continues on and he is able to achieve a successful second term.
