Next month’s State of the Union address is being seen as a crucial opportunity for President Biden to overcome concerns about his age and vitality.
Top Democrats believe that if the election were held today, Biden would lose to former President Trump in a rematch. The March 7th address is seen as a make-or-break moment for the Biden administration to shift public perceptions.
Sources close to Biden reveal that there is a sense of urgency surrounding the preparation for the State of the Union address. Biden’s team is well aware of the need to make a strong impression and counter the negative impact of the special counsel’s report which criticized Biden’s age. A source added that the President’s physical preparation and strong presence on stage will play a crucial role in winning over the public.
One bold move that the Biden administration is reportedly considering is an executive order to address the record flow of migrants into the Southwest. Sources suggest that this could happen in the two weeks leading up to the address, allowing the President to take action and criticize Republicans for not taking action on immigration reform.
Despite an uptick in morale within the Biden campaign, there are still concerns that things are moving too slowly and it may be too late to make a significant impact. Some loyalists have expressed frustration with the commute to campaign headquarters in Wilmington, Delaware, prompting the campaign to allow for more remote work. A small campaign office has also been opened near the White House to accommodate staff.
Internal conversations within the campaign have revealed a growing sense of urgency and fear that the campaign may be stumbling past a point of no return. However, recent listening sessions led by Vice President Kamala Harris have provided a glimmer of hope for some leading Democrats. Harris is using these sessions to gather intelligence and push for changes in strategy and tactics, with the goal of energizing crucial constituencies for the upcoming election.
Some Democrats see the SOTU address as a crucial opportunity for Biden to highlight domestic victories and appeal to younger voters. Representative Robert Garcia, a first-term progressive and former mayor, believes it is important for Biden to remind Americans of his accomplishments in areas such as insulin prices and infrastructure. Representative Annie Kuster, chair of the center-left New Democrat Coalition, agrees that the address will be a defining moment for the entire party, not just Biden’s reelection bid.
White House spokesman Andrew Bates recognizes the significance of the SOTU address, stating that it is a moment for Democrats to show that they are leading and succeeding. However, the spotlight will be brief for Biden, as House Republicans are already planning a hearing just five days after the address with special counsel Robert Hur. Republican sources indicate that they plan to use the hearing to question Hur about Biden’s fitness for office.
The President and his team are well aware of the need to make a strong impression during the State of the Union address. Democrats recognize that Biden and his campaign are not instilling fear in Trump and other Republicans, and this needs to change quickly.
The Biden administration is working diligently to prepare for the address, hoping to use it as a platform to counter lingering concerns about the President’s age and vitality.
