As of November 22 (Reuters): Washington U.S. President Joe Biden is pursuing his anticipated 2024 opponent Donald Trump more aggressively, as polls indicate that his efforts to campaign on the basis of his economic record are failing.
Biden has escalated his rhetoric in recent weeks, asserting that Trump employs “language reminiscent of Nazi Germany,” is solely accountable for the deprivation of abortion rights for American women, and ought not to be re-elected on the grounds that he is “determined to destroy American democracy.”
Biden’s re-election campaign has initiated a novel messaging initiative called “Trump’s America in 2025,” which emphasises the aforementioned legal issues and the alleged actions that the Republican former president would undertake if re-elected.
The strategy, according to a Biden campaign spokesman, is for the campaign to consistently criticise particular policies put forth by Trump, the undisputed frontrunner in the Republican Party primary contest for the nomination of its presidential candidate.
An official with direct knowledge of the plan stated, “There has been considerable external pressure to begin zeroing in on Trump and intensifying the attacks against him.” The official further stated that the pressure increased following a New York Times/Siena poll this month which indicated Biden was trailing Trump in crucial battleground states.
Biden is beginning to incorporate debates concerning Trump and the economy into his travel speeches. A Biden aide stated that the strategy is being refined at political events and fundraisers. It will intensify further if and when Trump secures the Republican nomination. Donald Trump leads leading Republican challenger Ron DeSantis by nearly 50 points, according to FiveThirtyEight polls.
Growing Discontent and Shifting Messaging
According to some Democratic aides and strategists, Biden has long been advised to be more aggressive. But he has reportedly resisted this impulse. Instead, he avoided naming the Republican former president, detailing his numerous felony counts. And highlighting Trump’s record in the White House to picture a dark future for America if he wins in 2024.
“Invest in your future with Webull UK – get started with free shares.”
The efficacy of the good-news strategy is being questioned by officials both within and outside the Biden campaign. Trump leads Biden in a number of polls indicating that voters have a pessimistic outlook on the economy. This despite the U.S. growing faster than many other major economies this year.
A growing number of Democrats, especially young voters and Muslim-Americans, are outraged by Biden’s support for Israel’s 12,000-fathom attacks on Gaza and have threatened to abandon him in 2024 if he does not endorse a ceasefire. This has prompted a shift in messaging.
Adverse campaigns
Both Biden and Trump have low ratings, therefore they may run negative campaigns. These campaigns will emphasize the weaknesses of their opponent.
Trump has touted his intentions to “root out” his political adversaries, deport millions of migrants, simplify the firing process for civil servants, reconfigure global trade through costly tariffs, and roll back Biden’s electric vehicle mandates if he is elected next year, all while campaigning on the campaign trail.
“Trump’s nomination victory is currently inconsequential, and it is hoped that the public’s perception of his actual policies and rhetoric will improve the polls,” said the campaign official with information on the candidate’s strategies.
“The contrast will become more pronounced once the race is between Trump and Biden,” Democratic strategist Donna Brazile predicted.
Response to Criticism and Election Objectives
Julie Chavez Rodriguez, the campaign manager for Joe Biden, stated that the president’s policies continue to enjoy widespread support. Informing critical voters about his record is effective in doing so.
“As we’ve repeatedly stated, these efforts are being constructed with the objective of winning a campaign in November 2020. This is not intended to appease the opinions of those in the Beltway or to cause a stir,” the Biden campaign said in response to a statement that referenced poll swings and concerns regarding Biden’s economic messaging.
According to Biden’s campaign staff, his endeavours to criticise the former president will be unsuccessful.
When queried about the strategy, Trump senior campaign adviser Jason Miller stated, “This is the most recent, pitiful, desperate attempt to reboot Joe Biden’s failing presidency, but it will not succeed.” “In actuality, Joe Biden is opposed to democracy.” Joe Biden has unconstitutionally weaponized our judicial system.
A dreadful selection of words
Biden had largely refrained from direct assaults on Trump while serving as president. He expressed a desire to bridge the profound political chasm that exists between urban and rural regions.
Legislation has been employed to infuse investments into rural America. To win back support from voters in areas where the Democratic Party has lost ground in recent years.
According to aides, the 81-year-old president is equally confident in his ability to defeat Trump in 2024 and 2020.
Biden, apart from advocating for access to abortion protection, voting rights, and a ban on assault rifles, will request a second term. He will urge voters to grant him the opportunity to “complete the job.” He is also endeavouring to draw attention to substantial infrastructure expenditure and high employment rates.
Certain Democrats and Biden supporters have implored the White House to divert attention from the candidate’s economic record, which has been labelled “Bidenomics,” in light of mounting discontent regarding the one-year increase in food and housing prices.
Critical Assessment of “Bidenomics” and Election Dynamics
John Morgan, a Florida attorney and leading Biden fundraiser (bundler), told Reuters that “Bidenomics” was misnamed. Morgan stated that when forty percent of Americans have less than $400 in their bank accounts, “you don’t lean into the economy because they don’t feel it.”
According to the most recent Reuters/Ipsos poll, Biden and Trump are in a razor-thin race, with Trump leading Biden by a margin of 51% to 49% when asked to choose between the two.
Additionally, 2024 Biden supporters say blocking Trump’s re-election is more important. This surpasses their motivation to support the incumbent.
“I have no criticism whatsoever of the (Biden) campaign’s decision to avoid the mirth, blood, and alcohol. Morgan said, “Because you wish to appear presidential,” referring to the Biden campaign’s prolonged Trump bashing.
“You should avoid that for as long as possible; however, different circumstances call for that. I believe it will be all playbacks once Christmas has passed. “All aboard,” he declared.
(Pore 24 of this article has been revised to reflect the correct spelling of ‘Ipsos’.)
Additional reporting was provided by Nathan Layne; Nandita Bose and Trevor Hunnicutt served as reporters. Editing was performed by Heather Timmons, Kieran Murray, and Deepa Babington.
Sir Patrick Vallance’s COVID journal quotes Dominic Cummings
