Whether Joe Biden was a "good" president is a matter of significant debate, and reasonable people disagree based on their values and priorities. Rather than giving you my personal verdict, let me lay out the main points on both sides so you can weigh them yourself:
Arguments often made in his favor:
•Legislative achievements: Passed the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the CHIPS and Science Act (boosting domestic semiconductor manufacturing), and the Inflation Reduction Act (climate spending, drug price negotiation for Medicare, extended ACA subsidies).
•Economic recovery: Unemployment stayed low for much of his term, and the economy avoided the recession many predicted; job growth was strong.
•COVID response: Oversaw widespread vaccine distribution and a return to normalcy after the pandemic's peak.
•Foreign policy: Rallied NATO allies in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine and strengthened some international alliances.
•Judicial appointments: Appointed Ketanji Brown Jackson, the first Black woman on the Supreme Court.
Arguments often made against him:
•Inflation: Prices rose sharply in 2021-2022, the highest in four decades, which hurt his approval ratings and was a major issue in the 2024 election.
•Immigration: Border crossings reached record highs for much of his term, and critics say his policies were too lax, especially early on.
•Afghanistan withdrawal: The 2021 pullout was widely criticized for its chaotic execution, including the Kabul airport evacuation and the deaths of 13 U.S. service members.
•Age and fitness for office: Concerns about his age and mental sharpness grew throughout his term, culminating in his poor debate performance in June 2024 and eventual withdrawal from the race.
•Israel-Gaza war: His handling of the conflict after October 7, 2023 drew criticism from multiple directions—some felt he was too supportive of Israel, others felt he didn't do enough to pressure a ceasefire.
Bottom line: Evaluations tend to split heavily along partisan lines, with Democrats generally rating him more favorably on economic policy and legislative accomplishments, while Republicans and some independents focus on inflation, immigration, and questions about his capacity to serve. Historians will likely take years to form more settled assessments once more distance from current politics exists.
If you want, I can dig into any specific policy area (economy, foreign policy, immigration, etc.) in more depth with current data and analysis.