It looks like President Joe Biden is hoping that the old playbook against Republicans will work in the 2024 election. Just days after announcing his intent to seek re-election, Biden gave a recent speech in which he repeated the usual “MAGA Republicans are gonna kill you all” talking points. But if he wants to ensure he remains in the White House, he will have to do more than try to scare people into voting for him.
President Biden delivered a speech on Friday night during a reception for the Democratic National Committee where he highlighted his supposed achievements and warned that “MAGA Republicans” are trying to undo the progress made in the country. The president mentioned that his administration signed the CHIPS and Science Act, the Inflation Reduction Act, the American Rescue Plan, and passed the bipartisan infrastructure and gun reform laws. He also emphasized his historic appointment of Justice Kentanji Brown Jackson.
Biden claimed that his administration created 12 million jobs in just two years, more than any president has created in a four-year term, and that unemployment is at 3.5 percent. He warned that the “real problem” is “MAGA Republicans” represent 30 percent of the Republican Party, and that they are trying to take the country backward. He cautioned that this is not “your father’s Republican Party.” Biden also asked donors to continue to support his agenda and mentioned that they played a significant role in his 2020 election victory.
“MAGA Republicans are trying to take us backwards,” Biden told the audience. “But together, we’re not going to let them do it. Not an inch back. Instead, our agenda is going to continue to bring us forward and build on the progress we made. And we must finish this job.”
“Let’s keep growing the economy from the middle out and the bottom up,” he added. “Let’s protect a woman’s right to choose and codify Roe v. Wade. Let’s protect our children from gun violence by continuing to work to eliminate assault weapons. And let’s keep lowering the prescription drug cost not just for those on Medicare, but for all Americans.”
This silly rhetoric plays well for those who already support Biden. But if he doesn’t want to be booted from the White House, he will need to do better than this.
Biden must also be able to defend his record, which is unfortunate for his campaign because his record is pretty much indefensible. Even the accomplishments he touted during his speech for the DNC have been tainted by his incessant incompetence.
For instance, the American Rescue Plan has been criticized for its $1.9 trillion cost and its failure to produce the four million new jobs Biden promised. The infrastructure bill has also faced pushback because of the fact that it contained too many non-infrastructure related provisions.
Biden’s record on immigration has also been criticized, with many arguing that he has not done enough to address the crisis at the southern border. As more illegals and fentanyl flood into the country, critics rightly point out that this administration is unable, or unwilling, to address the matter.
Even worse, Biden’s approval rating with independents is quite dismal. A CBS News poll showed his approval among these voters was at a paltry 32 percent.
To win re-election, Biden must go beyond fearmongering about MAGA Republicans and address the concerns and criticisms of his record. He has to convince Americans that his policies have been effective in improving the country’s economy, addressing the pandemic, and tackling other important issues. However, his managing of the problems facing the country might just explain why he is relying on his favorite “MAGA Republicans” trope.