White House vs. Democrats Disagree Over Biden Rally Participation
Focus Likely on Supporting Campaigns in Key Battleground States and Highlighting Achievements
How can U.S. President Joe Biden, who will step down from the November U.S. presidential race and hand over the baton to Vice President Kamala Harris, achieve a graceful conclusion during the remainder of his term?
The Washington Post (WP) reported on the 8th (local time), citing White House officials, that "Biden's aides are devising plans for the president's future campaign role and ways to highlight his legacy as his term nears its end," adding, "Biden's remaining schedule, marking the end of his 50-year political career, is expected to be filled with emphasizing his policy achievements and personal bucket list items."
The biggest question is whether President Biden will appear at Vice President Harris's campaign events. According to sources, the White House and the Democratic Party agreed to minimize Biden's external official schedule to eliminate variables that could affect the Harris campaign, but showed some differences regarding support for campaign activities. Vice President Harris requested that President Biden join her in campaigning in battleground states such as Pennsylvania and Michigan, where he won in the 2020 election, but some Democrats suggested that Biden remain in the White House to focus on governance.
One Democrat pointed out, "It is clear that the party did not want Biden as the presidential candidate, so it is hard to see the Harris camp wanting to put him at the forefront of the campaign." A Democratic strategist recently commented on the return of Americans detained in Russia, saying, "President Biden and the U.S. scored a major victory last week," and added, "Just as he reminded voters of his compassion and firm leadership, stronger governance and less campaigning would be the best way to secure Harris's victory." Earlier, on the 1st, President Biden drew media attention by successfully arranging a prisoner exchange involving 24 detainees held in seven countries including the U.S., Germany, and Russia.
Three White House officials said, "President Biden plans to join Vice President Harris on their first campaign within weeks after his speech at the Democratic National Convention, but he does not want to steal Harris's spotlight," and that he intends to focus on highlighting popular achievements such as safe drinking water supply through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) and prescription drug price reductions under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA).
Cornell Belcher, a Democratic pollster, noted, "Biden does not necessarily have to match the energy and enthusiasm of Vice President Harris and running mate Governor Tim Walz of Minnesota. Their energy and passion are theirs, and Biden can help in specific ways by gaining support from the elderly and blue-collar voters on social security and retirement issues."
Meanwhile, in an excerpt from a CBS News interview to be aired on the 11th, President Biden expressed concern when asked, "Do you expect a peaceful transfer of power after the election?" saying, "If Trump loses, I have no confidence at all," and added, "If he loses the election, it will be a bloodbath, and his claim that the election was stolen is sincere." This is Biden's first interview with a news outlet since he withdrew from the presidential race last month and had rarely appeared in public. The full interview will be broadcast on CBS News Sunday Morning on the 11th.
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