Democrats to Biden: Forget Achievements, Roast Trump Instead!

Democrats to Biden: Forget Achievements, Roast Trump Instead!

4 minute read
Published: 6/25/2024

Top Democrats are urging President Biden to swap self-praise for Trump-bashing in tonight's CNN debate, believing voters care more about economic woes than 'Bidenomics' brags.

In a bid to recalibrate his debate strategy, President Biden faces mounting pressure from party leaders to shift his focus from celebrating his policy achievements to critiquing former President Trump. With voter concerns over the economy and inflation taking center stage, Biden's advisers are urging him to tackle Trump's corporate connections and economic record. Despite Biden's penchant for self-congratulation, his campaign hopes this pivot will resonate better with an electorate more interested in their wallets than in political accolades.

Biden, who has a natural tendency to highlight his achievements, has seen lackluster responses from voters who are more concerned about economic issues. According to a recent ABC News/Ipsos poll, over 80% of respondents indicated that the economy and inflation are crucial topics. In contrast, the same poll showed that Trump has a 14-point lead over Biden when it comes to handling these economic matters. Maybe it's time for Biden to swap touting achievements for tackling inflation; after all, a 'Bidenomics' victory lap won't matter much if gas prices make the voters' heads spin.

In light of these figures, Biden's campaign strategy is getting a much-needed tune-up. Advisers are recommending he spend less time touting his own achievements and instead take a more aggressive stance against Trump, particularly zeroing in on Trump's track record with corporate America. The emphasis is on drawing a stark contrast between the two candidates' economic policies during the first presidential debate at 9 p.m. ET on CNN. The hope is that this shift will help Biden connect better with voters, especially in key battleground states. Maybe it's time for Biden to channel his inner comedian – after all, laughter could be the best policy.

Despite the critiques and the new strategy, Biden is not completely sidelining his accomplishments. Just ahead of the debate, his campaign released an ad that attacked Trump while underscoring Biden’s efforts to help the middle class. This ad is part of a larger $50 million media blitz aimed at battleground voters, signaling that while the focus might be on Trump, Biden's team is keen to insert his achievements into the narrative subtly. It’s like trying to hide a healthy snack in a pile of junk food.

Ron Klain, returning as a debate coach, is tasked with fine-tuning Biden's approach. While some party members have raised eyebrows at Klain’s return due to past debate performances, the campaign remains confident in his guidance. They believe he can help Biden find the tricky balance of addressing Trump while presenting solutions for economic issues. After all, it's not every day you get to referee a rematch of the century!

It's no secret that Biden's approval ratings on economic issues aren't favorable. A CNN poll shows his ratings remain negative on both the economy and inflation. This has led to frustrations within his camp. Some advisers feel the President's insistence on seeking credit for his accomplishments may not be resonating with voters who are facing financial difficulties. It seems like Biden's achievements are like vegetables at a kid's party – just not what anyone's excited about.

Acknowledging the pressing economic concerns, Biden has recently dialed back on advocating 'Bidenomics' and has shifted to a narrative that admits there's still work to be done. This honest admission aims to show voters that Biden understands their struggles and is committed to continuing efforts to improve the economic situation. Clearly, fixing the economy isn't as simple as turning a dial; if only it were that easy!

As the first presidential debate looms, both sides are gearing up for an evening filled with sharp exchanges. The Biden campaign is acutely aware that this could be a pivotal moment. Will the new strategy pay off, or will Biden’s predilection for self-praise overshadow the key issues at hand?

Tonight’s debate will undoubtedly set the tone for the weeks to come. With the economy and inflation at the forefront of voter concerns, Biden's ability to effectively challenge Trump and address these issues could very well determine his political fate. For now, based on the renewed strategy, it appears the Democrats are betting on a robust offense rather than a reflective defense. But let's hope Biden can keep his punches above the belt and his foot out of his mouth.