**Biden's Presidency: A Tale of Missed Opportunities and Internal Struggles**

*Joe Biden's presidency, marked by legislative accomplishments and global challenges, ultimately devolved into struggles with approval ratings, internal strife, and an uncertain legacy as he prepares to hand over power.*

Staring out from behind a lectern at Washington's National Cathedral, President Joe Biden delivered a heartfelt eulogy for the late Jimmy Carter, meditating on accomplishments that could have resonated more with the American people. However, as he stood amidst past and future presidents like Donald Trump and Barack Obama, the looming overshadow of Biden's own upcoming exit underscored a grim reality—his presidency will be viewed as transitory.

"It’s not how you start but how you finish," Biden reflected in a television interview earlier in the week, asserting his ambition for a historical narrative of restoring the economy and reestablishing American leadership. Yet, exit polls reveal disapproval: with Gallup ratings plummeting from 57% to just 39% in two short years, Biden's tenure offers contrasting achievements and setbacks.

Despite major legislative victories, including vast infrastructure bills and pandemic relief, his reign became plagued by unforeseen challenges and missteps. The chaotic U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan set a tone, plunging his approval ratings to less than 50%, with spiraling inflation soon following. By mid-2022, inflation surged to its highest in 40 years—a blow Biden attributed to external factors, despite experts warning of impending troubles.

Even as crime surged and economic woes continued, his administration miscalculated critical responses, leading to increasingly vocal discontent within his own party and among voters. “The incompetence is staggering,” critiqued Brent Cebul, a historian. Services strained under the weight of migrant relocations and public sentiment began to sour—a feeling echoed by Joe Biden’s own floundering public discourse, where he struggled to connect amidst dwindling energy levels.

While early achievements reflected a seasoned command of legislative strategy, with allies espousing confidence in Biden’s abilities to take on Trump again, the late stages of his presidency revealed an insular inner circle, embroiled in politicking and self-doubt. As infighting escalated, criticisms emerged about a growing disconnect between the administration's lofty legislative ambitions and the immediate needs of American citizens.

Deteriorating relations with key allies, handling of foreign policy, and family controversies surrounding Hunter Biden compounded external pressures on the vulnerable administration. The backdrop of tragedy following the deadly Hamas assault on Israel added further strain to Biden's already beleaguered reputation.

As Biden formally launched his reelection campaign, he underscored the fight against Trump as a crucial mission. However, resigning to the perception of an ineffective messenger exacerbated the democratic narrative—deepening doubts exemplified by Biden’s faltering physical presence on stage during crucial moments.

In a practice marred by turmoil, the conclusion of Biden's governance looms near, with Trump poised once more to ascend to the presidency. A downturn from the midst of political service blights what might have been remembered as a transformational leadership era. Rather than a bridge to the future, Biden’s presidency risks relegation to the annals of transient governance, eclipsed by complexities of age and competitive politics.

Artificially bolstered by an administration built on depth, what would Biden’s legacy have looked like without the weight of his running for a second term? As America nervously watches reeling developments, only time will reveal how history chooses to remember Biden amidst the joys and tribulations of leadership in an ever-evolving world.