Staff Reports
President Joe Biden’s not-so-secret love affair with vacationing has been a hot topic among conservative strategists. The President’s frequent retreats to Camp David and his home in Wilmington, Delaware have been met with sharp criticism from the Republican National Committee. They’ve accused Biden of being unable to handle the workload of the presidency, pointing to his historically high number of vacation days as proof.
The RNC claims that Biden has spent 424 days away from the White House, a significant amount more than his predecessors like Donald Trump and Barack Obama. According to the RNC’s tracking, Biden spent a staggering 142 days on vacation in 2023 alone, which equates to nearly 40% of the year. They argue that this nonstop vacationing raises concerns about Biden’s age and ability to handle the responsibilities of the presidency.
Basement Biden back? President's vacation schedule could serve to keep spotlight on Trump https://t.co/WnbzlrspJZ
— Virginia Kilpatrick (@VirginiaKilpat8) January 5, 2024
Republican National Committee spokesman Jake Schneider didn’t hold back, slamming Biden’s vacation habits and raising questions about his fitness for the job. He took a jab at Biden’s “declining stamina and proclivity for incoherence,” suggesting that these factors might be the real motivation behind his extended breaks.
Considering Biden’s age, which would have him at 86 years old at the end of a potential second term, some critics worry that his infrequent interaction with the press and extended vacation time could play a pivotal role in voter concerns. But, on the flip side, some also argue that his getaways may actually help keep him refreshed and relaxed for his public appearances.
Nevertheless, it’s no secret that Biden’s absences from the White House haven’t gone unnoticed by conservative strategists. They’ve expressed skepticism about Biden’s tactics of ceding the spotlight to former President Trump. Democratic strategist Brad Bannon believes this approach could work in Biden’s favor, as he argues that Trump is his own worst enemy and that the more visible Trump is, the better it is for Biden.
But not everyone is convinced. Presidential historian and Ronald Reagan biographer, Craig Shirley, doesn’t buy into the idea that Biden’s attempts to take a back seat will pay off. He argues that the dynamics have completely shifted, with Biden now in the incumbent position, making it impossible for him to deflect attention onto his opponents.
As Biden gears up for a potential 2024 reelection bid, his recent public appearances have revolved around addressing external threats and attacking Trump, rather than focusing on his own policies and achievements. And his upcoming events suggest that this trend will continue, with a focus on condemning the Jan. 6, 2021 Capitol riot and other significant moments of strife in the country’s history.
Conservatives may object to this approach, particularly in light of Biden’s previous “blood red” speech, in which he depicted MAGA Republicans as embracing anger and thriving on chaos. Nevertheless, for Democrats, keeping the spotlight on Trump and his allies has been a successful strategy in recent elections, and they may continue to lean on it as they head into the 2024 cycle.
Overall, Biden’s extended time away from the White House and his focus on attacking his opponents have raised eyebrows among conservatives, who question his fitness for the presidency and the effectiveness of his political strategy. As the 2024 campaign heats up, it remains to be seen how Biden’s vacationing habits and campaign focus will impact his prospects for reelection.
