President Joe Biden launched a significant ad campaign on Monday, sharply criticizing a recent Supreme Court ruling that grants presidents broad immunity from prosecution. Biden warned that this decision could embolden former President Donald Trump to act without restraint if he wins the upcoming November election.
Biden, who has been under intense scrutiny following a lackluster debate performance against Trump, urged Americans to carefully consider their choices in the upcoming election. He emphasized that he has no plans to withdraw from the race. The Supreme Court’s conservative majority’s decision effectively ensures that Trump will not face trial in Washington before the election for his actions during the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot. Biden stated that it is now up to the American people to hold Trump accountable, as the courts have failed to do so.
In his remarks, Biden did not address his debate performance or take questions, instead delivering a politically charged message from the White House. He asserted that while he respects the limits of presidential power, the ruling allows any president, including Trump, to disregard the law.
Biden appeared confident and composed, a stark contrast to his debate performance, where he seemed hesitant and unfocused. He benefited from using a teleprompter during his remarks about the court ruling, which he did not have during the debate.
Within Biden’s campaign, there have been discussions about how to counteract the negative impact of his debate performance. Some advisors have suggested increasing his public appearances through town hall events, interviews, and press conferences. However, most are waiting for more substantial polling data to assess the damage before making any significant changes.
Biden’s campaign released an ad on Monday titled “I Know,” featuring clips from his post-debate rally in North Carolina, where he emphasized resilience. Quentin Fulks, Biden’s principal deputy campaign manager, reiterated the campaign’s focus on highlighting the dangers of a Trump presidency.
Even before the debate, Biden’s age had been a concern for voters, and the debate performance brought this issue to the forefront. Over 51 million people watched the debate, according to CNN. Jennifer Palmieri, a former White House communications director, noted that while Biden’s age was already a factor, his debate performance did not meet expectations.
Palmieri suggested that the campaign should continue promoting Biden’s strong speeches and fundraising efforts. She also recommended more interviews to demonstrate that the debate was an anomaly. The goal is to keep Biden in front of voters who matter most.
Alan Kessler, a lawyer and member of Biden’s national finance team, has been reassuring donors about Biden’s capabilities. He emphasized that Biden remains lucid and strong.
Biden expressed interest in doing more interviews, mentioning a potential sit-down with broadcaster Howard Stern. Senior campaign officials, including Fulks and Jen O’Malley Dillon, have been conducting damage control, holding calls with donors to downplay concerns about Biden’s popularity and reiterate his fitness to serve.
There has been no discussion of Biden exiting the race or any staff shakeups following the debate. The Democratic National Committee plans to formally nominate Biden before the convention in Chicago on August 19.
In a separate development, Biden announced on Wednesday that he would halt some shipments of American weapons to Israel if Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu orders a major invasion of Rafah in Gaza. This decision marks a turning point in the conflict between Israel and Hamas and acknowledges the United States’ role in the war.
Biden has faced pressure from his party to limit arms shipments amid the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. While he has supported Israel’s efforts against Hamas, a potential invasion of Rafah has shifted his stance. Biden emphasized that the U.S. would continue to provide defensive weapons to Israel but would halt shipments if a ground invasion of Rafah begins.
The U.S. has already paused a shipment of high-payload munitions due to Israel’s possible operations in Rafah. Israeli officials have privately expressed frustration over the pause and U.S. media briefings on the decision.
Biden’s public linking of American weapons shipments to Israel’s conduct could strain his relationship with Netanyahu. Biden warned Netanyahu about the risks of becoming bogged down in Gaza, drawing parallels to the American experience in Afghanistan and Iraq.
The conflict in the Middle East has consumed much of Biden’s time, even as he works to promote his domestic record to American voters. His strong support for Israel has generated protests and anger, including on college campuses.
In an interview with CNN, Biden sought to reframe perceptions of the American economy, touting job growth and efforts to combat corporate greed. He acknowledged that while there are reasons for Americans to worry, the economy has improved significantly.
Biden has spent the past year promoting his economic accomplishments, including new investments made possible by infrastructure and manufacturing legislation. He voiced little concern about his reelection prospects but warned that Trump is unlikely to accept the election results if he loses.
Biden remains confident about the trajectory of his campaign, noting that most voters make up their minds closer to the election. However, polls have shown that voters give Biden little credit for his economic record.
Biden emphasized that no president has created more jobs or brought down inflation as he has. He also highlighted efforts to combat fees on bank accounts and credit cards, which he believes will lower Americans’ bills.
Source: Associated Press, CNN
