US President Joe Biden implored his fellow Americans during a campaign event in Tampa, Florida, raising a critical question about the consequences of US withdrawal from global affairs. He pointedly asked who would take up the mantle of world leadership if the US followed through on former President Donald Trump’s proposal to retreat from the international stage. The question resonated with his audience as he gears up for a rematch with Trump in the upcoming November presidential election, mirroring their previous showdown in 2020.
Biden, who has met with world leaders at international summits such as the G7 and G20, recounted their fervent hope for his electoral victory, underscoring the global stakes of the election. “The eyes of the world are not only upon us to see the outcome of the election, but they are also observing how we conduct ourselves,” Biden said, reflecting on his decades-long commitment to grassroots organizing that took root in the Civil Rights Movement. He underscored the crucial role of individual engagement in shaping the trajectory of democracy.
Keeping his supporters abreast of his campaign’s progress, Biden reported that they had raised nearly half a billion USD thus far. “I am really excited. We have raised almost a half a billion dollars so far. But here is what excites me – so far, we have 1.6 million (16 lakh) contributors, 550,000 more than we had last time at this stage of the game. But here is the deal – of those 1.6 million contributors, 97 per cent contributed less than USD 200. Think of all the numbers that means,” he said.
According to Biden, he leads Trump in recent polls. “In the last 23 national polls, I have been ahead in 10 of them, Trump has been ahead in eight, and we have been tied in five. More importantly, the momentum is clearly in our favor. For example, we moved eight points in the latest Marquette poll and seven points in the Echelon poll. And the Marist poll now has us up by three nationwide,” he said.
“The point I am making is, people are beginning to listen. This is a time people begin to focus and listen. They have generic impressions up to now, but now they are listening,” he added.
Displaying a heartwarming gesture toward children in the audience, Biden approached and engaged with two elementary school-aged boys on the right, lowering the microphone to whisper in their ears. Afterward, he looked around at his staff and said, “You know what to do, right?” He repeated the gesture with two girls of a similar age. As it turned out, the president had promised to ensure they received ice cream.
In closing, Biden reinforced the importance of Florida in the national context. “This election is a basic, old-fashioned election,” he said.
