It took a hit, yes. That it did not recover is due to a multitude of other factors. Inflation, calling out for dead congresswomen, etc.
And, ripping the bandaid off after 20 years of occupation produced a government that couldn’t last a week on its own was the most competent thing Biden has done. I know it inflamed the wounded nationalism of some, upset the NatSec sources many in the press rely upon, and turned off a $2.3 trillion tap, which the military industrial complex was momentarily angry about (until Russia invaded Ukraine). But, it’s not something that’s currently polling among voters with any significance.
Biden already told the security establishment to fuck off over Afghanistan, and he might be one of the weaker presidents in recent memory.
Depends on, if in this context, strength is the ability to impose one’s will, or the ability to endure pain. Trump knew Afghanistan was a lost cause, and that the stay crowd were akin to beaten stockbrokers insisting no loss would actually be realized until they closed their position. But his favorite generals told him he would look bad, so he chickened out and kicked the can down the road.
Biden decided to eat the poop sandwich, and endure performative rage about 13 dead U.S. soldiers that dwarfs whatever anger remains about the first 2,400 that were killed. He correctly figured if he did it at the start of his term, people would be focused on other concerns come the 2024 campaign, if not midterms.
- Prev
- Next
Woke has successfully borrowed from religion. It has appropriated the Christian concept of original sin (people have privilege assigned to them at birth due to immutable characteristics that they must strive for the rest of their life to redress), and other shared religious concepts like blasphemy (only certain people can say certain words, even in a neutral, journalistic, or academic context; only certain people may make certain foods, wear certain hairstyles, sell certain foods, perform certain music), atonement (restorative justice, public apology, doing the work), ritual (land acknowledgments, exchange of personal pronouns) and excommunication (canceling).
More options
Context Copy link