He is the man of the moment and he is now the most powerful man in the world. Being the president of the United States of America the world leader in global politics and economics is a privilege that only 45 other men have enjoyed. The incumbent is the oldest president in US history but he is also the most experienced president with 50 years of experience in the political field. Serving in different portfolios from Senate, vice presidency, and various other portfolios.
JOSEPH ROBINETTE BIDEN, Jr, was born November 20, 1942, in Scranton, PA, the first of four siblings. In 1953, at the age of 13 Biden family moved from Pennsylvania to Claymont, DE. He grew up suffering from speech impairment and other kids mocked him for that, however, he overcame his challenge by memorizing and reciting poems practicing them in front of the mirror. Joe attended St Helena High School until being admitted into the Archemere Academy a highly-rated educational institution. In some instances, Joe had to clean the windows of the school and weeding the school gardens so that he could help his family with the school tuition. As an American football player, Joe was described by his former coach as one of the good pass receivers he has coached in 2 decades despite his skinny stature. In 1961 Joe graduated from the Archmere Academy and proceeded to the University of Delaware.
He then graduated from the University of Delaware before getting his law degree at Syracuse Law School in 1968. In 1970 he was elected as a Councilor at New Castle County Council. Then, at age 29, he became the youngest person ever elected to the U.S. Senate at that time. Just weeks after the election, tragedy struck the Biden family when Joe Biden’s wife, Neilia, and their 1-year-old daughter, Naomi, were killed and their two young sons critically injured in an auto accident. Joe Biden was sworn into the U.S. Senate at his sons’ hospital bedsides and began commuting to Washington every day by train, a practice he maintained throughout his career in the Senate.
In 1977, Joe Biden married Jill Jacobs. Jill Biden, who holds a Ph.D. in education, is a lifelong educator. As a Senator from Delaware for 36 years, Joe Biden established himself as a leader in facing some of the US’s most important domestic and international challenges. As chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee for 17 years, then-Senator Biden was widely recognized for his work on criminal justice issues, including the landmark 1994 crime law and the Violence Against Women Act. As chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee for 12 years, he played a critical role in shaping U.S. foreign policy. He has been at the forefront of issues and legislation related to terrorism, weapons of mass destruction, post-cold war Europe, the Middle East, and Southwest Asia.
As the 46th Vice President of the United States, serving under Barrack Obama. Joe Biden continued his leadership on important issues that the US faced. Joe Biden was tasked with implementing and overseeing the $840 billion stimulus package in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which helped to rebuild the US economy and lay the foundation for a sustainable economic future. Joe Biden drew upon his years in the U.S. Senate to work with Congress on key issues including the 2013 reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act. As a longtime advocate against sexual assault and domestic violence. Joe Biden was appointed the first-ever White House Advisor on Violence Against Women. Joe Biden was also tasked with convening sessions of the President’s Cabinet and leading interagency efforts, particularly to reduce gun violence and raise the living standards of middle-class Americans in his role as chair of the Middle-Class Task Force.
Joe Biden advised President Obama on international issues. The 46th President of the United States of America was a leading architect of the U.S. strategic vision of a Europe whole, free, and at peace. During his time in the Senate, he led the effort to enlarge NATO to include the former Warsaw Pact countries of Eastern and Central Europe after the collapse of the Iron Curtain. In February 2015 Biden laid out a vision for how to revitalize NATO, strengthen democratic institutions in Europe, prioritize investments to bolster energy security, and grow trade and investment ties across the Atlantic. He led the administration’s effort to support a sovereign, democratic Ukraine, visiting the country three times in 2014. In the Middle East, the new US President was deeply involved in shaping U.S. policy toward Iraq, visiting the country several times. He met with the leaders from around the Middle East and championed Israel’s security.
The new President also played an active role in supporting the administrations rebalance to the Asia-Pacific. He developed deep relationships with the region’s leaders, demonstrating U.S. commitment to a high level, face-to-face diplomacy. Vice President Biden was the administration’s point person for diplomacy within the Western Hemisphere. He worked to realize his vision of a hemisphere that is ‘‘middle class, secure, and democratic, from Canada to Chile and everywhere in between.’’ In this capacity, the Vice President led the administration’s regional efforts to address economic, social, governance, and citizen security challenges. Joe Biden represented the US in every region of the world, traveling to more than two dozen countries including Afghanistan, Belgium, Brazil, China, Colombia, Egypt, Germany, Guatemala, Israel, Japan, Kenya, Mexico, Pakistan, Poland, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Turkey, and Ukraine.
After serving with distinction under the 44th President of the United States of America former President Barack Obama, Joe Biden was honored with the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2017. In April 2019 Joe Biden officially announced his candidacy and ambition to serve as the president of the United States of America. By June 2019 he had secured the threshold needed to secure a nomination. He launched a robust campaign that was highlighted by inclusiveness, tolerance, and acceptance regardless of race, religion, and culture. He appointed Kamala Harris as his running mate in August 2020 and Kamala a woman of color and with an Indian background, Joe proved to be a person who believes in inclusivity and tolerance. After a highly heated campaign with his competitor Donald J Trump, Joe Biden won the United States of America election on the 8th of November. He secured the required college votes and he received the highest ever popular vote than any other president in US history. Despite the Corona Virus pandemic he managed to triumph over Donald J Trump and the 20th of January will remain as a day that the world saw another man who came from humble beginnings be inaugurated as the 46th President of the United States of America.
From weeding gardens to supplement his tuition to the oval, waiting for his time for over 5 decades serving as vice president to Obama a person 20 years younger than him. Joe Ruminate Biden Jr has waited for so long to realize his dream, despite his shortcomings like any other human he has shown us what a life of service means and he has arrived at the helm of the highest office in world politics. His experience will go a long way in shaping the trajectory of world politics in the coming four years.
Compiled by
Munyaradzi, Z. Chikomba.
Background
Munyaradzi Zindi Chikomba (The Social Architect) is a Co-founder & Executive Chairperson of the Shanduko Foundation. He is a content creator and serial columnist who writes articles on social commentary and social affairs. He is passionate about building and shaping society through digital advocacy and media. He is an Editor in Chief at Peach Media Trust.