Upcoming 2024 US Presidential Election... Will Biden Soon Announce His Re-election Bid? (Comprehensive)

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy New York=Special Correspondent Joselgina] U.S. President Joe Biden is expected to officially announce his 2024 presidential election bid as early as right after the Christmas holidays. Having breathed a sigh of relief from the unexpected strong performance of the Democratic Party in the November 8 midterm elections, President Biden has recently been visiting manufacturing plants located in battleground states one after another, raising his voice that his economic plan is leading to a manufacturing boom in the U.S., rebuilding supply chains, and creating jobs.

According to the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) on the 6th (local time), White House Chief of Staff Ron Klain attended the WSJ CEO Council Summit and said, "I have heard from many Democrats across the country that they want President Biden to run," adding, "The president will make that decision."

Chief of Staff Klain mentioned, "I expect the timing (of the decision) to be right after the holidays, and I believe he will make that (run) decision." On the same day, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre also supported these remarks, saying, "This is consistent with what President Biden most recently stated about the 2024 presidential election."

Unlike his political rival former President Donald Trump, President Biden has not yet officially declared his candidacy. However, he has repeatedly expressed his intention to seek re-election. He also responded to related questions at a White House press conference right after the midterm elections, saying, "I will make that decision early next year."

Recently, concrete moves indicating his intention to seek re-election have been confirmed. President Biden recently requested the Democratic National Committee (DNC) to change the first primary state to one that better guarantees racial diversity and other factors. He proposed starting the first primary in South Carolina instead of Iowa, which has served as the "presidential election barometer" for over half a century. South Carolina was the region where Biden made a comeback during the 2020 primary. Additionally, President Biden suggested eliminating the caucus system, which only party members participate in, and instead conducting primaries that allow general voters to participate.

Locally, attention is also being paid to the fact that President Biden, having breathed a sigh of relief from the November 8 midterm elections, is seriously considering a 2024 re-election bid and has been visiting manufacturing facilities located in Michigan and Arizona one after another. The SK Siltron CSS plant visited on the 29th of last month and the Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) plant visited on this day are located in Michigan and Arizona, respectively, which are representative swing states in the U.S.

At the TSMC plant equipment inauguration ceremony on this day, President Biden said, "I asked representatives of companies like TSMC whether they would attract or push away the industry if a significant amount of investment is made in the manufacturing sector that the U.S. needs," adding, "I have never been more optimistic about America's future. We are building a better America."

He also emphasized, as he did during his visit to the SK Siltron CSS plant, that his economic plan is leading not only to a manufacturing boom in the U.S. but also to rebuilding supply chains and creating quality jobs. Furthermore, he expressed confidence in the easing of inflation, which was the main background of the economic judgment theory targeting President Biden during the election, saying, "Gasoline prices are falling." This is similar to the messages President Biden delivered during the midterm election campaign schedule. This is why it is evaluated as an extension of his moves for a re-election bid.

This day is also the runoff election day in Georgia, which decides the last remaining Senate seat in the U.S. midterm elections. Voting closes at 7 p.m. local time (9 a.m. Korea time). If the Democratic Party adds one seat in Georgia, known as the "presidential election barometer," the balance will be 51 to 49 seats, which is expected to give President Biden more leeway in future government operations.

Following the November 8 midterm elections, the previously highlighted theory within the Democratic Party that Biden cannot be re-elected has somewhat subsided. However, concerns about whether President Biden, who turned 80 last month, can serve another four-year term as an octogenarian president continue to pour in regarding his age and stamina. Recent major public opinion polls in the U.S. show that a majority of voters have negative opinions about President Biden's age. In the November Ipsos poll, 70% of voters said he is "too old." Moreover, President Biden's approval rating remains only in the low 40% range.

If President Biden solidifies his decision to run for re-election, the 2024 presidential election is likely to become a "Biden vs. Trump" rematch. Former President Trump officially declared his candidacy last month as expected. This will be his third attempt following his 2016 election victory and 2020 re-election defeat. Currently, besides former President Trump, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is also considered a potential Republican presidential contender.