WASHINGTON ― A full year out from the 2024 presidential election and nearly two months before Republicans cast their first primary ballots, President Joe Biden and his campaign are assuming that Donald Trump will be his opponent and have already started reminding voters why they threw him out of office in the first place.
Biden personally has stepped up criticism of his coup-attempting predecessor and is framing the likely rematch as one that will determine the survival of American democracy. “The same man who said we should terminate the rules and regulations and articles of the Constitution — these are things he said — is now running on a plan to end democracy as we know it,” he said last week at a fundraiser in Chicago.
“This next election is different. It’s more important. There’s more at stake. And we all know why: Because our very democracy is at stake,” he told a San Francisco audience on Wednesday.
His campaign, meanwhile, has shifted from a summer-long effort to highlight the improving economy to one designed to persuade Americans that, though they might not love Biden, they should be terrified of Trump.
Biden’s team wants to put both Trump’s legacy as well as his new promises front and center, from rounding up millions of undocumented immigrants into camps to climate change denial to the demise of Roe v. Wade to his open plans to impose a more autocratic rule.
“It’s going to be a long campaign, and we may as well start getting into it now,” one official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.
“At the end of the day, it’s about making choices.”
The choice for many voters seems clear – between someone who regularly offers off-the-cuff thoughts like injecting disinfectant or someone representing traditional American values while calling for unity after failed coup attempts by an angry ex-president with nothing better do than plot revenge against those who oppose him.
The Battle For Democracy
The campaign is already running digital ads attacking Trump in key states but declined revealing what issues it plans focusing on during final months before general elections because apparently keeping secrets makes them feel powerful?
What could possibly go wrong when you’re trying hard enough?
“The threat this time around isn’t just about losing an election – its about losing our sanity!” exclaimed another official probably hiding under their desk somewhere far away from reality where everything makes sense again!
Prominent Democratic consultants have been urging for energetic campaigns since forever! They’ve also agreed upon something truly amazing – His banishment from Twitter following Capitol assault has wound up helping him (Trump). Prior every incendiary/offlandish thing posted would generate extensive news coverage hurting standing with mainstream voters but combined with natural decrease in coverage accompanying departure resulted in lesser attention given despite saying equally inflammatory things!
A Perverse Reality
Former President Donald Trump speaks at Nov 8 rally while other Republican candidates were holding debate Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post via Getty Images
Now comes part where everyone loses their minds over some pro-Trump website posting interview echoing language used by Adolf Hitler! But wait there’s more… After using phrases such as “poisoning blood” & “vermin”, reactions were swift & coordinated!
On Monday White House released statements excoriating Trump followed by similar statement release by Biden’s Campaign!
By midweek both phrases had made way into Biden stump speech where trump plays featured role…
“Trump also recently talked about ‘the blood America being poisoned’—‘the blood America being poisoned.’ Again echoes same phrases used Nazi Germany.”
A Simple Message
Four years later still simple message appears strongest argument amidst high inflation followed high interest rates: He represents traditional American norms/values while Trump driven anger/revenge…
Campaigns always about choices; Biden anti-Trump – That’s choice according Stuart Stevens prominent Republican consultant who left party when embraced trumpet music?
Despite recent polling showing overall weakness shows best against Republicans worst former South Carolina Gov Nikki Haley!
Republican voters appear favoring trump nomination although less strongly those states vote first calendar however unclear effect if any engagement coming republican contests….
Consultants doubted GOP primary voters taking cues from biden or campaign…
“If you think attacking trump going move GOP DeSantis or Haley delusional”
In any case Stevens believes engaging now smart thing…
