Summary of Key Points
Former U.S. President Joe Biden has announced that he will publish his memoir, *Promise Me, America*, on November 17 – two weeks after the midterms. The memoir will delve into pivotal decisions from his presidency, such as economic policies and the reasons behind his decision not to run for re-election in 2024, as well as his health situation (including treatment for prostate cancer). There is disagreement within the Democratic Party regarding whether the promotion of the book will affect the midterms and Biden’s political legacy: some fear it may distract from the election campaign and focus should be on criticizing the Republican Party; others believe the timing is appropriate or that the book could be used to address the reasons for the party’s 2024 defeat.
What Will the Memoir Cover? What Are the Intentions Behind the Publication Date?
Biden’s new book will reveal all the key aspects of his presidency, from economic policies and pandemic responses to the motivations behind his decision to run for re-election and the complexities of certain decisions (such as whether to pass a particular bill). It will also discuss his prostate cancer diagnosis, stating that he is undergoing treatment with positive results. The book is scheduled for release on November 17, two weeks after the midterms, which coincides with his 84th birthday. This timing avoids the sensitive period before the election and uses his birthday to generate additional attention. Presidential memoirs often receive advance payments in the millions of dollars, but the publisher has not disclosed the specific amount.
Some Democrats Are Concerned: Could the Book Distract from the Midterm Elections?
Democratic leaders had planned to focus on criticizing the Republican Party during the midterms, targeting their economic policies and social issues. However, the promotion of Biden’s memoir (which may include media tours and interviews in the weeks leading up to the election) could draw attention away from these efforts. If voters spend more time discussing Biden’s book, it might undermine the Democratic campaign strategy. For example, the Democratic governor of New Mexico said, “Ordinary voters are not interested in this book”; a former Democratic congressman from Pennsylvania also urged the party to move on from the 2024 defeat and focus on other issues.
Other Democrats: No Need to Worry; Maybe We Should “Seriously Consider” the Book?
Not everyone sees this as a problem. Kylester from the center-left think tank “The Third Way” argued that the book should be used to confront the party’s 2024 defeat, suggesting that the Democratic Party may have been wrong in believing Biden was suitable for re-election and that they failed to support Harris (the party’s 2024 candidate). Addressing these issues early could benefit the 2028 primary elections. Cardona, a strategist who supported Biden’s 2024 campaign, was even more direct: “The book is released after the election, so it won’t affect the midterms. Biden helped lead America through the pandemic and has a right to tell his story; this won’t cause any trouble for the party.”
Biden’s Health and Legacy: Is There Still Disagreement Within the Democratic Party?
Biden mentioned in a video that his prostate cancer treatment is progressing well, but there are differing views within the Democratic Party on his legacy. Some blame his decision not to run for re-election (and Trump’s potential return in 2024) on his lack of responsibility; others, like Cardona, believe he deserves credit for helping America recover from the crisis. The release of the book could exacerbate these disagreements.
Overall, Biden’s memoir serves as both a personal reflection and a test for the Democratic Party. While some fear it may disrupt the election, others see it as an opportunity to confront past mistakes. Only when the book is published will we know the final impact. For now, the “frictions” within the Democratic Party have already begun to emerge.