VALLEY FORGE, Pennsylvania – In a recent campaign speech, President Joe Biden raised concerns about the state of American democracy and positioned his likely election opponent, Donald Trump, as a significant threat. The speech, delivered in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, emphasized the urgent question of whether democracy remains America’s sacred cause. With the backdrop of the 6 January 2021 attack on the US Capitol, Biden accused Trump of attempting to “steal history” and repeatedly referred to his rival by name.
The address was met with strong criticism from Trump, who labeled it as “pathetic fear-mongering” and labeled Biden as the real danger to democracy. The former president’s campaign advisor, Jason Miller, accused Biden of abandoning an issues-based campaign and instead focusing on attacking his political opponent.
Central to Biden’s speech was the idea of preserving democracy, a theme he has consistently returned to in recent years. His re-election campaign has shifted its focus on highlighting the contrasting viewpoints between himself and Trump in terms of upholding democratic values. This strategy has been effective for Biden in the past, with Democrats achieving unexpected success in the 2022 midterms by highlighting pro-Trump opponents who questioned the legitimacy of US elections.
Supporters of Biden’s approach to emphasizing democracy as a key campaign theme believe that it resonates strongly with the Democratic base and has the potential to bring together a broad coalition of voters. However, recent polling has indicated that views of the 6 January attack remain sharply divided along partisan lines, with Republicans less likely to believe it was a violent assault. Despite this, Biden has chosen to prioritize the issue of democracy in his campaign, placing it at the forefront of his political strategy.
In conclusion, Biden’s speech in Valley Forge highlights the polarizing nature of American politics and the emphasis on preserving democratic values as a key aspect of the upcoming election. The re-election campaign’s focus on democracy, in contrast to focusing solely on economic policy, seeks to underscore the differences between Biden and Trump, positioning the defense of democracy as a central theme in the 2024 election.