What is it about high office that blinds political leaders to the fact that their time has come and gone?

Bob Hawke could not see the writing on the wall that night in December 1991 when Paul Keating did him in. Hawke tearfully told his post-defeat press conference that of all the people in the Labor Party, he knew the Australian electorate best.

Hawke is remembered for his achievements, not his departure.

Fate will not be so generous to Joe Biden. As he leaves office after four years as the 46th US president, Biden’s singular, most enduring achievement is to have made Donald Trump great again.

Joe Biden’s achievements as US president will not be his lasting legacy.Credit: Bloomberg

Biden suffered similar delusions as Hawke and stayed on too long in the mistaken belief that he........

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