![]() ![]() However, the contrast between the two graphs reveals that recent presidents have issued many more symbolic proclamations. Both graphs show President Biden continues to be far more active than other post-FDR presidents. Recently, Biden has made many symbolic proclamations including Black Maternal Health Week, National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, National Volunteer Week, National Park Week, mourning the death of form Vice-President Walter Mondale, and observing Workers Memorial Day.īoth graphs show the total number of Presidential Executive Orders, Memoranda, and Proclamations. Presidents use symbolic proclamations to designate days, weeks, months, and other occasions. Throughout the period, we have presented graphs (below) reflecting the total number of presidential orders with and without symbolic proclamations. Biden has been unusual in the number of his actions and their degree of focus. We have been tracking some of these actions since January 20, 2021. They draw attention to their priorities with travel and public appearances. Presidents can set the agenda through words, orders, nominations, and meetings. In that respect, has equaled the record of Reagan, and bested several predecessors. Biden has ended his 100 days with only one major legislative victory (The American Rescue Plan). FDR’s many early-term legislative victories are the exception among modern Presidents, but have become the standard of comparison. Biden has neither of these.Įarly-term Legislative Victories. Without exception, Presidents judged in retrospect to have been “transformative,” have worked in very favorable political conditions. They won election by very large majorities and enjoyed strong ideological support from majority coalitions in Congress. Biden faces the COVID-19 pandemic and related economic crisis, climate change, and a national upheaval over institutionalized racism. For Nixon it was the environment and Vietnam. ![]() For FDR, Reagan, and Obama, it was the economy. This gives them focus and clarity of purpose. Some Presidents take office at a moment of clear crisis. We recall that several administrations blundered after the 100-day mark.Ĭrises and Disasters. The Biden Administration has-so far-avoided similar stumbles. The Administration seemed to be incompetent. Clinton had two nominees withdraw because of failure to pay social security tax for household employees. Carter proposed eliminating 19 water projects-an economy move that backfired by alienating Congressional Democrats. Kennedy permitted the disastrous Bay of Pigs invasion. Many presidents have blundered within 100 days of taking office. Now that we have reached the end of Biden first 100 days, it’s time to ask “what’s the point of the 100 day watch?” What meaningful conclusions can we draw about a Presidency after 100 days?
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