As President Joe Biden grapples with increasing calls from within the Democratic Party to step aside following a lackluster debate performance, his campaign has unveiled an aggressive new strategy. This plan includes visits to key battleground states and a $50 million paid media blitz. Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, First Lady Jill Biden, and Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff will all be hitting the campaign trail this month with a packed travel schedule.
The campaign memo states, “All in all, over the course of July, the four principals will travel to every battleground state.” This $50 million media blitz for July is in addition to the $50 million already spent on a June media campaign launched ahead of last Thursday’s debate. The ads will air online, on television, and on radio, with heavy play during highly watched events like the Olympic Games and the Republican National Convention. The ads will focus on key issues such as abortion, the economy, and the “threat” former President Donald Trump poses to democracy.
Biden is also expected to engage in frequent off-the-cuff moments throughout the month, as he has consistently done during his campaign. Amidst calls from some Democrats for Biden to prove his mental and physical fitness, he has scheduled a sit-down interview with ABC News’ George Stephanopoulos. The first excerpts will air on “World News Tonight,” with the full interview broadcast in a prime-time ABC network special.
Following his poor debate performance, Biden, who was previously neck-and-neck with Trump in polls, now trails Trump 39% to 42%, according to the 538 polling average. Sources told ABC News that Biden has privately acknowledged the critical nature of the coming days in determining whether he can stay in the race for a second term. However, the White House has denied that Biden is considering stepping down.
In response to the pressure, Biden called an all-staff campaign meeting and met with over 20 Democratic governors to address concerns about his ability to lead the ticket in November. During a campaign rally in Wisconsin, Biden energetically spoke about his administration’s policies and the risks of another Trump presidency. Addressing concerns about his candidacy and fitness to serve, Biden was emphatic, stating, “I am running and gonna win again.”
Biden’s delivery at the rally, aided by teleprompters, was strong, especially compared to his debate performance. However, any stumbles by the 81-year-old are being scrutinized closely. Outside the campaign event, Biden was met with a large crowd, some of whom were calling on him to step aside. Despite this, Biden remained resolute, stating, “I am staying in the race. I will beat Donald Trump.”
The week following the debate has been one of the most critical periods for Biden’s presidency, with many top Democrats watching him closely. Biden is under growing pressure to publicly prove his mental and physical fitness, and his interview with George Stephanopoulos will be a high-stakes opportunity to do so.
Publicly, the White House rejects the notion that Biden is considering any path besides re-election. White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre stated that Biden is “absolutely not” stepping down. During a meeting with Democratic governors, Biden vowed to continue his presidential campaign. California Governor Gavin Newsom, who attended the meeting, said, “I was really proud to be with Joe Biden last night. He started the meeting — the first words out of his mouth: ‘I’m all in’.”
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, another Democrat speculated as a possible replacement, posted, “Joe Biden is our nominee. He is in it to win it and I support him.” However, more than a half dozen governors expressed concern over Biden’s debate performance and the resulting fallout within the party. One governor told Biden that people didn’t think he was up to the task of running, while another asked him to lay out the path forward.
Some congressional Democrats have publicly called for Biden to step aside. Texas Representative Lloyd Doggett and Massachusetts Representative Seth Moulton have both suggested that Biden should withdraw. Arizona Representative Raúl M. Grijalva also urged Biden to leave the race, citing the “precarious” state of his campaign. Washington state Representative Marie Gluesenkamp Perez expressed concerns that Biden’s debate performance could cost him the election against Trump.
Despite these calls, Democrats in leadership positions have remained supportive of Biden. Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, and Representative Jim Clyburn of South Carolina have all stood by the president.
In Madison, Wisconsin, Benjamin Rogall, a 61-year-old retired physician and Democrat, attended Biden’s rally to see the president for himself. Rogall, who did not watch the debate, said, “I just want to see how clear he is and convince me that he’s got what it takes.” Other rally-goers expressed similar sentiments, with some giving Biden another chance and others rejecting any discussion of replacing him.
Wisconsin is a key battleground state that both Biden and Trump are targeting to win the White House in November. Biden won Wisconsin by a narrow margin in 2020, and the state remains crucial for his re-election prospects. As Biden continues to face scrutiny and pressure, his ability to reassure voters and prove his fitness for office will be critical in the coming weeks.
Source: ABC News, Reuters, AP
