In a bold move diverging from traditional campaign optimism, President Joe Biden is launching his 2024 reelection campaign by revisiting some of the most unhappy events in American history. This strategic decision aims to starkly illustrate the critical stakes of the upcoming election, positioning it as a pivotal moment for the nation’s democratic principles. Biden’s journey begins with a symbolic visit to Valley Forge, reminiscent of George Washington’s resilience, followed by a poignant stop at Mother Emanuel AME Church in South Carolina, a site of tragic racial violence.
Biden’s campaign strategy highlights historical events and frames the current political landscape as a crucial battle for democracy. Julie Chavez Rodriguez, Biden’s reelection campaign manager, emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating, “We are running a campaign like the fate of our democracy depends on it because it does.” This sentiment is echoed in the campaign’s efforts to portray Donald Trump, Biden’s likely opponent and a leader with a commanding presence in the Republican primary, as a direct threat to U.S. democracy.
Trump, facing numerous legal challenges, counters by accusing Biden and top Democrats of undermining democracy themselves. In a memo, Chris LaCivita and Susie Wiles, senior advisers to the Trump campaign, argue that Biden’s actions represent an unprecedented threat to democratic principles.
Biden’s approach intertwines his tragedies with national traumas, using them as a catalyst for action. This strategy was evident in his 2020 campaign, where he promised to heal the nation’s soul, a commitment spurred by the disturbing events in Charlottesville. However, in a shift from his previous campaign’s tone, Biden now focuses on the existential threats of Trump and his MAGA movement. Michael Tyler, Biden’s campaign communications director, highlights the severity of this threat, stating, “The leading candidate of a major party in the United States is running for president so that he can systematically dismantle and destroy our democracy.”
The Biden campaign’s narrative extends beyond Trump, arguing that any GOP candidate emerging from the MAGA movement would represent a similar threat. This stance aligns with the broader concerns of Americans about the future of democracy, which vary across party lines.
As Biden embarks on this unconventional campaign journey, he intertwines the nation’s tumultuous past with the current political landscape, aiming to galvanize voters around the defence of democratic values. The campaign also seeks to connect issues like abortion access with the broader theme of democracy, building on the momentum from the 2022 midterms. Biden’s 2024 campaign is not just a bid for reelection but a crusade to safeguard the very essence of American democracy against perceived threats.
