Well, it’s all over bar the shouting for President Joe Biden, having given his final address where he outlined his record while also sounding a warning of a wealthy oligarchy that is taking shape in America with extreme wealth, power and influence threatening democracy and basic rights and freedoms. 

It was a speech that, given the state of American politics, wasn’t going to win anyone new over. Still, it was his chance to present his record and final thoughts as president. 

He will, of course, have been pleased to finish his presidency on a positive note with the deal for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas (regardless of how it goes). 

But, of course, from the sidelines is Donald Trump, who claims it was his overarching threat that "all hell would break loose" that influenced the outcome. Who knows? Though I would have thought all hell had already broken loose over a year ago. 

But back to Biden. 

To be honest, from my point of view, my preference for who occupies the position of President of the United States isn’t about domestic records or political promises. Those issues are clearly more significant to the American voter. For me and countless others, questions about the way we conduct ourselves in politics and respect for democracy matters most, given the USA’s position and power in the world.   

Yes, I can understand why people voted for Trump when it comes to the economy and promises made. But when it comes to respect for democratic values, I’d give Trump a 0 out of 10 and Biden more like an 8 or 9. 

For many – one of Biden’s negatives is that he will be remembered for saying he would never pardon his son Hunter Biden, only to perform a comprehensive 180. You can understand why he did it, given how he was pressured into withdrawing his candidacy. But he also would have seen an incoming president escaping all consequences for his actions on January 6, not to mention being a convicted felon and thought - am I really gonna hang my son out to dry on my principles? I would have done the same thing. 

But what we have now heading to the White House is a guy who still doesn’t accept the result of the election four years ago. In a way it’s a shame Trump hadn’t won back then because now we’d be saying goodbye to him and hopefully welcoming fresher faces from both parties. Perhaps then they might compete on policy rather than appealing to people’s basic instincts or bigotries.   

And that’s the problem we have seen with American politics over the past eight years - partisan politics getting more and more extreme.   

In fact, it’s so bad that I reckon if the religious right finally witnessed the second coming of Jesus and he told them he was a Democrat, they’d probably all convert to atheism, such is their loathing for the other side (“that Jesus is such a snowflake!” they’d say). 

So for now, fingers crossed that Trump’s unpredictable ways might somehow become a weapon for resolving global conflicts. Because, well, here we are. 

And for a final thought on Biden’s legacy – unfortunately, we’re left with the sense that if he had let go of his vanity a couple of years ago and realised it was time to pass the baton, we might be in a very different place.   

Much like Kenny Rogers’ The Gambler – “You’ve got to know when to hold ’em, know when to fold ’em, know when to walk away, and know when to run” – Biden missed his moment. Instead, we got a last-minute Hail Mary that, well, didn’t work out the way many had hoped.