We just finished Memorial Day weekend 2019. There's still a year and a half until election day in 2020, but sadly, the presidential campaign is in full swing. Most people aren't paying attention yet, but the candidates, especially on the Democrat side, are holding event after event trying to drum up support. The holiday weekend is a particular fertile time to plant seed for future support. There are parades and memorials and all sorts of events at which a candidate can make an appearance, meet some people and get some coverage. That's why it is important to note that Joe Biden, the Democrats' current front runner, was missing in action during this time. Biden, in fact, has hardly been seen on the campaign trail or on TV giving interviews or, indeed, much of anywhere since he announced his candidacy. What's going on?
Does Biden not have the stamina to make appearances? That hardly seems likely. We are not talking about barnstorming tours with ten stops a day; we are discussing making one or two appearances over a weekend. Even at close to 80, Biden ought to be able to manage that much if he is serious about being President.
It is more likely that the lack of appearances is a conscious strategy worked out by Biden's campaign team. Right now, Biden is the Old Joe of his vice presidential years. No one is asking him questions. No one is hearing Biden's positions on issues from his view of the border/immigration to those on abortion. As a result, Biden gets to keep his "nostalgia" support while other candidates manage to stick one or both feet in their mouths. Biden is running in many ways as the "new Hillary Clinton". He is keeping a low profile and relying to a great extent on his "right" to be the nominee.
The problem with this strategy is that there's about a year until the bulk of the primaries/caucuses. Biden can't hide for a year. He has to make connections with voters if he is to have any chance to win. And as he finally steps out on the platform to campaign, we will get the inevitable Biden mistakes. Everyone knows that Biden is prone to making mistakes. Biden will also have to tell us his positions on all sorts of issues. Does he believe in late term abortion for any reason like almost all the Democrat candidates? If so, he may lose the pro-life segment of the Democrat base (it's small but it's there.) Is he in favor of raising taxes and, if so, on whom? Most likely, the targets of those taxes won't be too happy with Old Joe. The list goes on and on. If he wants to win the nomination, it just won't be enough for him to say "I'm not Trump." After all, none of the Democrats are. With each position expressed, Old Joe runs the risk of losing support rather than gaining it. It will be interesting to see just when Old Joe's advisers decide it is time for him to actually campaign for the office.
Does Biden not have the stamina to make appearances? That hardly seems likely. We are not talking about barnstorming tours with ten stops a day; we are discussing making one or two appearances over a weekend. Even at close to 80, Biden ought to be able to manage that much if he is serious about being President.
It is more likely that the lack of appearances is a conscious strategy worked out by Biden's campaign team. Right now, Biden is the Old Joe of his vice presidential years. No one is asking him questions. No one is hearing Biden's positions on issues from his view of the border/immigration to those on abortion. As a result, Biden gets to keep his "nostalgia" support while other candidates manage to stick one or both feet in their mouths. Biden is running in many ways as the "new Hillary Clinton". He is keeping a low profile and relying to a great extent on his "right" to be the nominee.
The problem with this strategy is that there's about a year until the bulk of the primaries/caucuses. Biden can't hide for a year. He has to make connections with voters if he is to have any chance to win. And as he finally steps out on the platform to campaign, we will get the inevitable Biden mistakes. Everyone knows that Biden is prone to making mistakes. Biden will also have to tell us his positions on all sorts of issues. Does he believe in late term abortion for any reason like almost all the Democrat candidates? If so, he may lose the pro-life segment of the Democrat base (it's small but it's there.) Is he in favor of raising taxes and, if so, on whom? Most likely, the targets of those taxes won't be too happy with Old Joe. The list goes on and on. If he wants to win the nomination, it just won't be enough for him to say "I'm not Trump." After all, none of the Democrats are. With each position expressed, Old Joe runs the risk of losing support rather than gaining it. It will be interesting to see just when Old Joe's advisers decide it is time for him to actually campaign for the office.
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