President Joe Biden has recently re-entered the political arena ahead of the 2024 election, a move that marks a departure from his previous decision to step back after ending his reelection bid.
On Tuesday, he made a campaign stop in Pennsylvania to support a trusted ally, following a visit to Wisconsin where he highlighted a major legislative accomplishment.
During Biden’s recent tour of key states, two Democratic senators engaged in tough reelection campaigns displayed contrasting attitudes towards the outgoing president, whose approval ratings continue to be low in many parts of the country.
During a private campaign fundraiser in suburban Philadelphia, Democratic Sen. Bob Casey warmly welcomed Biden. The event coincided with the Philadelphia Phillies baseball playoff game against the New York Mets.
In Milwaukee, Biden highlighted his administration’s initiatives to replace the country’s hazardous lead pipes. However, it was noticeable that incumbent Democratic Sen. Tammy Baldwin was absent from the event.
According to Christopher Borick, director of the Muhlenberg College Institute of Public Opinion in Pennsylvania, Democrats in tight races are carefully considering the potential risks of aligning themselves with Biden.
They believe that the benefits his support could bring to their campaigns are outweighed by the potential drawbacks. Borick explains that there are limited opportunities for Biden to significantly assist Democrats in competitive races.
Biden’s presence on the campaign trail has been limited since he suspended his reelection effort in July. However, his recent visits to Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, which are considered crucial by Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump, have garnered significant attention.
During a fundraiser, Biden exclaimed, “Did you hear the news today? He called his close friend Putin, and I’m not joking, to ensure he had the tests. And he did, he had the tests.”
Running against Republican David McCormick in his bid for a fourth Senate term, Casey has a longstanding connection with Biden. He even grew up on the same street in Scranton as the president.
In Wisconsin, Baldwin had a busy Tuesday, attending campaign events and receiving an award on the opposite side of the state from Biden. This information was confirmed by her campaign and Senate office.
According to Eli Rosen, Baldwin’s communications director, Senator Baldwin had a prior engagement at a family farm in Eau Claire. She was set to receive the prestigious ‘Friend of Farm Bureau’ award from the American Farm Bureau Federation. This award recognizes her dedication to advocating for the welfare of hardworking farmers, growers, and producers in America.
According to a recent poll conducted by Marquette University Law School, Biden’s favorability in Wisconsin has remained steady at around 40% over the past year. Surprisingly, his favorability did not experience an increase even after he withdrew from the presidential race earlier this summer.
Incumbent Baldwin is currently running for her third term, while her Republican opponent is Eric Hovde, the CEO of a prominent Wisconsin real estate development company.
Despite skipping four of Biden’s five appearances in the state this year, she has made several appearances with Harris. One notable event was a speech in Madison, where they spoke to a crowd of over 10,000 people.
According to Brian Schimming, the chairman of the Wisconsin GOP, although Baldwin may have the ability to skip a Biden event, she will not be able to escape the judgment of working families in Wisconsin when they cast their votes.
During his visit to Wisconsin, President Biden focused on addressing the issue of lead pipes, which pose a significant problem in the state with approximately 340,000 affected pipes.
The timing of his visit coincided with the Environmental Protection Agency’s recent implementation of a final rule mandating the identification and replacement of lead pipes within a decade for drinking water systems nationwide. This rule aims to ensure the safety and well-being of communities by eliminating the risk of lead contamination in their drinking water.
During his speech in Milwaukee, Biden took jabs at both Trump and Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis., who opposed the infrastructure law. Returning to a familiar phrase, Biden pointed out that Trump often talked about “infrastructure week” during his presidency, but failed to make any substantial progress. The President emphasized that Trump “didn’t build a damn thing.”
Democratic U.S. Representative Mark Pocan, whose district encompasses Madison, Wisconsin’s heavily Democratic capital city, affirms the popularity of Biden’s policies in the battleground state, despite polls indicating otherwise. Pocan, who is not facing a competitive race, also offers his support for Baldwin’s decision not to appear alongside Biden.
“When competing in a race, it is crucial to have a well-structured plan,” he explained. “You need to carefully consider your target audience and the locations where you aim to gather support. It is important to stick to this strategy and not deviate from it, even when enlisting the help of a surrogate.”
Jill Biden, the wife of President Biden, is set to campaign for Kamala Harris in Madison next week. This campaign stop is part of a five-day tour by the first lady, who will be visiting several battleground states including Arizona, Nevada, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania. The announcement was made jointly by Harris’ campaign and the White House on Tuesday.