Joe Biden has been a national political figure for more than 20 percent of the United States' history. His policies and public figure have evolved over time, in ways that reflect how his Democratic Party also changed. We look back on the legacy of a man who was both one of the youngest senators ever elected, and the oldest person to serve as president. This episode: political correspondent Sarah McCammon, senior political editor and correspondent Domenico Montanaro, and senior national political correspondent Mara Liasson. The podcast is produced by Kelli Wessinger, and edited by Casey Morell. Our executive producer is Muthoni Muturi. Listen to every episode of the NPR Politics Podcast sponsor-free, unlock access to bonus episodes with more from the NPR Politics team, and support public media when you sign up for The NPR Politics Podcast+ at plus.npr.org/politics. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy
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It's the NPR Politics Podcast.
I'm Sarah McCammon.
I cover politics.
I'm Domenico Montanaro, senior political editor and correspondent.
And I'm Mara Liasson, senior national political correspondent.
Today on the show, we're taking a look back at President Joe Biden's legacy as a political figure within the Democratic Party.
Biden first made a name for himself back in 1972, then as one of the youngest people to be elected to the U.S.
senate.
His career will end as the oldest person to ever serve as president of the United States.
Mara, Joe Biden has been a national political figure now for more than 20% of this country's entire history.
Wow.
That is just an incredible amount of time.
And you know, the country has seen a lot of change during Biden's time in office.
His party, the Democratic Party, has also changed.
I want to start there, Mara.
Where is the party ideologically as Biden leaves office?
Ideologically, I think the party is where it's always been, as the party that believes government can be used to help ordinary people.
I think the party is much more diverse than when Biden started his career.