As he ran for president last year, Joseph R. Biden Jr. contorted his campaign to appease both wings of the Democratic Party, trying to excite progressives with an ambitious policy platform while assuring moderates he opposed structural changes to the political process.
Now, faced with the realities of governing and dual crises of public health and economic stagnation, Mr. Biden is increasingly squeezed by members of his own party who see an inevitable collision course between his deference to Washington norms and his promises of far-reaching change. CONTINUED
Astead W. Herndon, New York Times