Whether Joe Biden was a "good" president is ultimately a matter of political judgment and values, and reasonable people disagree based on which priorities they weigh most heavily. Rather than giving you my own verdict, let me lay out the major points on both sides so you can weigh them yourself.
Arguments in favor of his presidency:
•Legislative achievements: He signed several significant bipartisan and party-line bills, including the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, the CHIPS and Science Act (boosting domestic semiconductor manufacturing), and the Inflation Reduction Act (climate spending, drug pricing reforms, and tax provisions).
•Economic recovery: The economy added millions of jobs after the pandemic downturn, and unemployment stayed relatively low for much of his term.
•COVID-19 response: His administration oversaw widespread vaccine distribution and other pandemic recovery efforts.
•Foreign policy: He rallied NATO and Western allies in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine and provided substantial military aid.
•Judicial appointments: He appointed Ketanji Brown Jackson, the first Black woman on the Supreme Court.
Arguments against/criticisms:
•Inflation: Consumer prices rose sharply during his term, particularly in 2021-2022, which many economists and voters blamed partly on pandemic-era stimulus spending.
•Border and immigration policy: Illegal border crossings reached record highs during parts of his term, drawing criticism from both parties at different points.
•Afghanistan withdrawal: The chaotic 2021 U.S. exit from Afghanistan, including the Kabul airport attack that killed 13 U.S. service members, was widely criticized as poorly executed.
•Age and fitness concerns: Questions about his age, mental sharpness, and stamina grew throughout his term, culminating in a disastrous debate performance in June 2024 that led to him dropping his reelection bid.
•Approval ratings: His approval ratings were underwater for most of his presidency, reflecting broad public dissatisfaction, particularly on economic issues.
Bottom line: Supporters point to legislative productivity, job growth, and alliance-building as marks of a successful presidency. Critics point to inflation, border issues, the Afghanistan withdrawal, and concerns about his capacity to serve as major failures. Your assessment will likely depend on which of these issues you prioritize and your broader political values. If you want, I can dig deeper into any specific policy area (economy, foreign policy, immigration, etc.) with more detail and current data.