Democrats are still trying to pick up the pieces from President Joe Biden’s poor debate performance last week.
Biden himself sought to reassure donors of his continued viability during a series of campaign fundraising events on Saturday. Top surrogates like Rep. Jim Clyburn of South Carolina and Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania joined with other top Democrats in expressing their support for the president. And during a pre-planned gathering at Camp David, The New York Times reported that Biden’s relatives encouraged him to remain in the race.
So for now, Biden’s strategy is to dig in as his campaign works to repair the damage.
What could the coming weeks look like for Biden as he continues to navigate his reelection bid with skepticism from many within the party?
The power of family
Biden’s close-knit family ties are well-known. He has prided himself on his relationships with his children and grandchildren. After his son, Beau, died in 2015, he spoke lovingly of the bond that they shared. And Biden has strongly supported his son Hunter Biden over the years as Hunter faced a litany of challenges related to his alcohol and drug addiction, as well as his recent conviction on felony gun charges.
On Sunday, Biden’s family relayed their support for the president by urging him to stay in the presidential race, according to The Times. And Hunter Biden was one of the most vocal proponents of his father remaining in the contest, as he wanted Americans to see his father as the statesmanlike figure that he’s long known and not as the largely ineffective candidate who struggled in the debate with former President Donald Trump, per the newspaper.
While Democratic strategists and pollsters are poring over numbers and voter reactions to assess Biden’s chances, for now, he’s leaning on his family’s assessment to remain the party’s standard-bearer.
He’s been in a similar situation before.
In 2019, Biden didn’t launch his successful 2020 presidential campaign until his family was fully on board with the decision.
The president is seemingly banking on his family’s judgment once again as he endures what may be the most difficult stretch of his 50-plus year political career.
Biden’s big swing-state test
Biden knows the importance of carrying must-win battleground states like Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin, as well as holding Nevada. And he’s making another run at both Arizona and Georgia.
It’s why Biden’s late-night stop at an Atlanta-area Waffle House and his seemingly reinvigorated persona at a Friday campaign rally in Raleigh mattered, even if it was overshadowed by fallout from the Thursday debate.
While many strategists in Washington were wringing their hands over Biden’s performance, Biden knew he needed to act immediately to continue speaking with voters who could see him up close.
North Carolina was narrowly won by Trump in 2020 and upcoming polling will show the extent of its competitiveness headed into mid-summer. But Biden’s Friday rally in the state was a reflection that he’s here to stay and he’s not going to be easily dislodged from office.
Most elected Democrats remain firmly behind Biden. But if new polling in states like Georgia and Wisconsin show the sort of erosion in support that is incredibly difficult to overcome, some bigger voices might start asking Biden to reconsider his stance.
For now, though, Biden remains in the driver’s seat. And he’s hoping it’ll stay that way.
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