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Culture War Roundup for the week of February 14, 2024

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Seriously what is the steelman for Biden wanting to be POTUS?

Winning once makes sense. You go down as an emperor of Rome during its golden age. Winning twice if he’s in decline as much as said sounds awful compared to a nice beach house retirement.

Only thing I can think of is a one term POTUS is viewed as a failure but I think that is lessened if you’re followed by your own party. Then you are the guy who beat Trump.

If he steps down for health reasons, he proves his critics right, and I think he is just too proud to admit he is no longer fit for the job.

Also you have to wonder what drives career politicians like Joe Biden. He has spent most of his life in politics. The office of president is the culmination of his career. I think it's plausible that he would much rather die in office as the most powerful man in the world, than spend his final years comfortably in a beach house while being politically irrelevant.

Biden considered committing to be a one-term president in 2020, but decided to go again since he really doesn't like Trump, and thinks he's person with the best shot at stopping him.

Eh, that might be the rationalization, but I heavily suspect the actual reason is the same as it is for almost all politicians - Biden likes power.