Just weeks after ending his re-election bid, President Joe Biden is back on the campaign trail, this time supporting Vice President Kamala Harris in her showdown against former President Donald Trump. With a packed schedule ahead, Biden aims to rally support across key battleground states, vowing to leave everything on the field as he fights to secure a victory for Harris and the Democratic Party.
Biden Joins Forces with Harris on the Campaign Trail After Dropping Out: A Fierce Battle Against Trump Begins
Six weeks after stepping aside from his re-election campaign amid pressure from within his own party, President Joe Biden is making his return to the campaign trail. On Monday, Biden will join Vice President Kamala Harris for the first time since endorsing her as the Democratic nominee for the 2024 presidential race. The event marks the beginning of what promises to be an intense two-month campaign push, as Biden looks to help Harris secure a victory against former President Donald Trump.
White House officials have described Biden’s upcoming schedule as “robust,” with plans to make numerous appearances in support of Harris across the country. “President Biden will be leaning in heavily over the next several months to finish the job,” said White House communications director Ben LaBolt.
Labor Day Showdown in Pittsburgh
Biden’s first campaign appearance will be in Pittsburgh, a city he’s visited frequently over the years and a key battleground in the race. Pittsburgh, a union stronghold, is a critical stop in Harris’s campaign to win over working-class voters, particularly in the Rust Belt. At the Labor Day event, Harris is expected to speak out in favor of keeping U.S. Steel domestically owned and will reiterate her commitment to supporting American steelworkers.
The stop in Pittsburgh is just one part of a broader strategy by the Harris campaign to make inroads in the seven key swing states that will likely determine the outcome of the election. These include not only Pennsylvania but also Michigan and Wisconsin, two other states that make up the Democrats’ “Blue Wall.”
Biden’s Comeback: A Risky but Strategic Move
While Biden’s return to the campaign trail brings with it the potential to energize the Democratic base, it also carries risks. Although his approval ratings have seen a slight uptick since he ended his re-election bid, they remain underwater. Additionally, Harris is trying to position herself as a leader who will chart a “new path forward,” and Biden’s presence may remind voters of the past.
However, Biden’s longstanding appeal to key voter groups, particularly White, working-class voters and union members, makes him a valuable asset for the Harris campaign. A strategist close to Biden’s team noted, “Just because it’s not his name on the ticket doesn’t mean that he doesn’t care just as much about winning this election. That’s why you’ll see him fighting, because all the stuff that he said when he was running he still believes.”
Rallying the Base
Biden’s support for Harris has already made waves. At their first joint appearance in Maryland, Biden was greeted with chants of “thank you, Joe,” reflecting the strong backing he still commands among many Democrats. That event, while focused on a policy announcement about lowering prescription drug prices, had all the energy of a political rally. Days later, Biden took center stage at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, where he delivered a headline speech and was joined by Harris for a surprise appearance.
Since stepping into the role of the party’s standard-bearer, Harris has seen a boost in polling and fundraising, capitalizing on the momentum from Biden’s support. However, both she and Biden know that the road to victory will be hard-fought, especially against a formidable opponent like Trump.
A Final Push
As Biden prepares to hit the road with Harris, the stakes couldn’t be higher. He’s set to visit Michigan and Wisconsin later this week, where he’ll highlight the administration’s efforts to lower costs for American families and bolster manufacturing jobs. Biden’s campaign strategy will focus on areas where he has traditionally excelled, appealing to working-class voters and union members who helped propel him to victory in 2020.
Ben LaBolt emphasized that Biden is determined to give it his all: “His schedule will be robust, and he plans to leave it all on the field in securing as much progress as possible for hardworking Americans, be that through implementation or legislative action.”
With the election fast approaching, Biden and Harris will need every ounce of support they can muster. The battle lines are drawn, and the campaign trail promises to be one of the most intense and consequential in recent memory.
