Six weeks after ending his own re-election campaign, President Joe Biden will be returning to the campaign trail on Monday for the first time since his withdrawal. This marks the start of a “robust” schedule of appearances by the president on behalf of Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic presidential nominee, over the next two months, according to a White House official.
Biden will join Harris, who replaced him as the Democratic nominee, at a Labor Day event in Pittsburgh, a city with a strong union presence and the largest in Pennsylvania, a key battleground state. This event is part of a comprehensive campaign effort by Harris in seven crucial swing states that could decide the election.
According to Ben LaBolt, the White House communications director, Biden will actively campaign for Harris and Governor Walz, focusing on core constituencies and emphasizing investments in manufacturing, infrastructure, and clean energy. He will also continue to work on strengthening international alliances.
The decision to put Biden back on the campaign trail comes after a tumultuous period. His performance in a debate against former President Donald Trump in late June raised concerns about his stamina for another term. Calls for him to withdraw from the race grew, eventually leading to his decision to step aside.
Despite his departure from the presidential race, Biden continues to hold considerable sway within the Democratic Party. He remains popular among many in the party’s base and was a highly sought-after surrogate during the 2018 midterm elections.
A source close to Biden told Fox News that he still believes in the issues he campaigned on, and the stakes of the election remain high for him. This is evident in his commitment to campaigning for Harris and ensuring her victory.
However, there are some risks associated with Biden’s return to the campaign trail. Although his approval ratings have slightly improved since he withdrew from the race, they remain below 50%. Moreover, while Harris positions herself as a leader for the future, Biden serves as a reminder of the present and past.
The Harris campaign confirmed that the president and vice president will appear together at times, with Biden concentrating on Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin. These states are crucial for the Democrats as they were part of the party’s “Blue Wall” that had reliably voted Democratic for decades before Trump’s victories in 2016 and Biden’s narrow wins in 2020.
Biden will travel to Wisconsin and Michigan later this week to promote the administration’s efforts to lower costs, focusing on events that will likely hold political significance. He continues to hold appeal among white, working-class voters and union members.
LaBolt stated that the president’s campaign schedule will be “robust,” and he intends to devote all his energy to securing progress for Americans through implementation and legislative action.
