Staff Reports
President Joe Biden is back from his two-week sun-soaked vacation and is jumping into the fray to lend a hand to Vice President Kamala Harris in her quest for re-election this November. One can only hope that the break did wonders for his stamina because he's going to need it, given Harris' plummeting popularity among voters.
Just a mere six weeks ago, Biden took an unexpected exit from the 2024 race, opting for a more low-key role while appearing only sporadically. The irony is palpable; while he may no longer be running, he's somehow taking on the task of propelling Harris' campaign, which many would argue is akin to trying to push a boulder uphill. This latest political maneuvering has led to Biden becoming a surrogate rather than the candidate, showcasing his "excited" desire to champion his administration's so-called "legacy." Quite the legacy it is, particularly if one counts the apprenticeships in ineptitude.
How Biden Plans to Get Harris Elected
By cheating. https://t.co/DYqW7z5TZV
— persistantNagatha 🇺🇸🍊 (@kmcccomcastnet) September 3, 2024
Harris's campaign has announced a peculiar strategy of "divide and conquer," suggesting that while Biden will hit the campaign trail, she'll be hunkering down due to her own dwindling approval ratings. Recent polling indicates Biden's numbers have ticked upwards since he stepped out of the race, while Harris' once-celebrated "honeymoon" phase now feels like it's spiraling into an awkward breakup.
In the coming days, Biden plans to visit states where he triumphed over Donald Trump in the 2020 election, such as Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and Michigan. His special focus will be Pennsylvania, as it's a critical battleground where Harris desperately needs a win. One wonders how much enthusiasm he can muster, considering those trips might feel more like chaperoning a nervous high schooler on prom night rather than a strong campaign showing.
White House communications director Ben LaBolt explained that Biden's role would involve "campaigning" for Harris and Governor Walz while reconnecting with core constituencies. They aim to remind voters of the Biden administration's investments in, get this, "emerging industries like clean energy." Surely, the average American is thrilled to hear about sustainability and that, while inflation and gas prices make for a more pressing conversation over dinner.
Meanwhile, it appears that Harris is taking a breather before her anticipated September 10 debate against Trump, creating a tactical gap that Biden hopes to fill. It remains to be seen how effective Biden can be in fundraising efforts, although if history teaches us anything, it's that throwing money at problems tends to lead to more problems. As Harris continues to dodge questions about her policies—after all, who needs clarity during an election campaign?—the question looms: will Biden's spirited campaigning make any difference, or will it simply serve as a reminder that the current administration is all hat and no cattle?
