How Biden is getting used to life as a lame duck president

Wilmington, Del., pop. 71,000, is not the most likely of destinations for a summit of world leaders gathering to discuss the issues facing the Indo-Pacific region.

But this weekend, that is where President Biden is welcoming his counterparts from India, Japan and Australia — bringing them to his beloved hometown to talk about military and coast guard cooperation, and shared work on cervical cancer research.

It’s an example of how Biden is filling his schedule with a combination of the personal and the political – with an eye on his legacy – as his time in office winds down. Biden is now in the twilight of his presidency, and increasingly acknowledges it in public.

Take, for instance, debate day last week. It was originally planned as the second face-off between Biden and former President Donald Trump – until Biden stepped aside after the first one.

As Vice President Harris prepared to take the stage, Biden found himself hosting not one but two events honoring college sports teams. To one of the winning coaches, he quipped: “I won't be here next year – but you may be.”

Afterward, Biden stopped to talk to reporters on the South Lawn of the White House as he headed off to New York City. “I’m going up for my granddaughter’s birthday in New York. Then we’re going to watch the debate,” Biden explained.

Biden has been receding from the spotlight as the campaign marches on. But he still holds the highest office in the land for another four months and Biden is trying to make the most of it.

Biden’s chief of staff, Jeffrey Zients, recalled the Sunday morning in July when Biden called to say he was dropping out of the race.

“He immediately turned to planning for the remainder of the term and he said to me, and I remember it