Joe Biden’s weaknesses are obvious, but the State of the Union last Thursday and the president’s $7.3 trillion budget proposal this week are reminders of just how tough he can be. Biden isn’t simply an old politician, he’s an old-fashioned one — the kind who believes in buying the votes.
He tried it in the 2022 midterms with a student-loan forgiveness push that had little chance of surviving the courts. But it didn’t need to; all that mattered was convincing young voters they had a vested interest in Democrats’ fortunes. Biden showcased his adeptness at the traditional pork-barrel method of courting constituencies.
When Biden highlighted his industrial and infrastructure policies during the State of the Union with a patriotic angle, he aimed to appeal to economic identity. This includes creating manufacturing jobs that pay generously to workers without college degrees.
Despite facing challenges with the shifting non-white voter demographic, Biden remains focused on identifying crucial voters for the upcoming 2024 election. The erosion of Democrats’ nonwhite support is gradually becoming evident as a significant number of Black and Hispanic voters are turning towards the opposition.
As Biden strategizes to capture and retain a diverse voter base, he must navigate the complexities of identity politics and economic divides within his own party. Winning over educated white liberals while also resonating with working-class whites poses a unique challenge for the seasoned politician.
In the quest to secure votes and stay competitive, Biden’s political acumen will be put to the test. With Donald Trump eyeing a potential comeback in 2024, the landscape is set for a high-stakes political battle where the bid for voter support takes center stage. Can Biden’s approach to winning over constituents withstand the evolving political terrain ahead?
