Popularity of US Presidents after 100 days 0:59
Editor's Note:
Julian Zelizer is a CNN political analyst.
He is Professor of History and Public Affairs at Princeton University and author of the book "Burning the House: Newt Gingrich, the Fall of a President and the Rise of the New Republican Party."
Follow him on Twitter @julianzelizer.
Opinions expressed are those of the author.
Read more CNNEE opinion articles here.
(CNN) -
President Joe Biden's first 100 days are coming to an end.
This benchmark was set by Franklin D. Roosevelt (FDR), who got off to a tremendously productive start to his presidency in 1933, and has been used to judge new presidents ever since.
Although skeptics predicted that Biden could be a wavering leader who would focus too much on elusive bipartisan deals for fear of shaking the boat, he has proven to be the opposite.
Turns out, Biden got going and started building a solid record.
This is certainly not another
New Deal
. Biden has not matched the hectic pace of FDR's first 100 days in office, when more than a dozen laws were passed to provide relief, create jobs and introduce reforms to lift the country out of a recession. It's also unclear whether Biden will have the same kind of long-term impact as President Ronald Reagan, who managed to shift the political debate to the right.
Biden made his mark with his American Rescue Plan, a $ 1.9 billion package that offers a broad combination of longer-term relief, encouragement and assistance. The legislation provided assistance to state and local governments, direct checks to American families, an expanded child tax credit, small business and homeowner assistance, expanded unemployment compensation, and more. In our age of polarized politics, and with a Republican Party hell-bent on obstruction, Biden used the budget reconciliation process to sidestep the possibilities of obstructionism, and the bill passed in line with the party. Unlike the
New Dea programs
He, much of the relief is short-term assistance.
But the American Rescue Plan is impressive in its breadth and remains a substantial piece of legislation.
ANALYSIS |
The two simple principles on which Biden based his first 100 days as president
Challenges of Biden's Climate Summit Proposal 1:02
And Biden doesn't stop with this legislation.
Work has already begun on the American Employment Plan, a comprehensive infrastructure package that would inject $ 2 trillion into the foundation of our economy.
The legislation would finance traditional infrastructure programs such as bridges and highways, while improving broadband service, potable water and the electricity grid.
Biden has also promised to fight climate change through electric vehicles and cleaner sources of energy, while promoting racial equality.
The Senate has ruled that Democrats can use the reconciliation process at least one more time, which could pave the way for the bill's passage.
Biden's First 100 Days Vaccine Plan
Biden will also receive high marks for his handling of the launch of the vaccination plan in its first 100 days. Scientists, sometimes with financial help from Operation Maximum Speed, had already developed highly effective vaccines before Biden took office. But the previous administration planned to take a hands-off approach that would leave vaccine distribution largely to the states.
Biden focused much of his attention on the logistical challenge of distributing vaccines and monitoring supplies. The country celebrated its goal of administering 200 million doses on April 21, well ahead of schedule. As we see in other countries, such as Israel, widespread vaccination can reduce infections and usher in stability and normalcy. However, the next 200 million doses will be much more difficult to administer, considering the millions of Americans who still hesitate to get vaccinated.
President Biden has also put himself on the map in his use of executive power.
It has moved at a fervent pace to undo some of the key decisions of the Trump years.
It re-entered the Paris Climate Agreement, established a Gender Policy Council in the White House, and repealed decrees that limited immigration and justified the separation of families at the border.
Through it all, the president's approval ratings and favourability have been strong.
His appearances before the public, although not as extensive as those of the former president, seem to be falling well.
He has also made a compelling case for the vital role of government in American life, offering a rebuttal to Reagan, who said, "Government is not the solution to our problem, Government is the problem."
Biden Announces Purchase of 200 Million Vaccine Doses 0:54
Biden's problems and challenges in his first 100 days
Biden's presidency has not been without its problems.
There has been an influx of migrants at the United States-Mexico border and the number of unaccompanied minors has reached new highs since at least October 2009. When the Biden administration announced that the president would keep the fiscal year refugee limit in the The low limit of 15,000 - a record set by his predecessor - sparked a backlash among Democrats.
Then the White House backtracked and announced that Biden would set a new, increased refugee limit next month.
On the other hand, Republican support for the president remains low and it seems unlikely that Biden will convince many in the Republican Party to join him in anything.
And while the vaccine launch has been highly successful, COVID-19 infections remain high in states like Michigan, and a return to recovery promises many obstacles along the way.
It is also important to remember that the first 100 days do not necessarily determine the course of the remainder of a president's four years.
Some, like Jimmy Carter, were very successful during this period only to face political downfall later on.
Others, like John F. Kennedy, start out slowly but finish strong.
Regardless of what the future holds, Biden's presidency so far has energized Democrats, many of whom have been pleasantly surprised by his willingness to move forward and deliver on big promises.
His continued popularity will strengthen his position within the party.
Meanwhile, Democrats may feel better at the prospect of entering the 2022 midterm elections strengthened by Biden's successes and solidifying a political coalition that could potentially usher in a new era in American liberalism.
Joe biden