Being the worst-polled incumbent President in recent memory along with the continuing chatter about Biden’s age from voters across the country, seems to be getting the attention of Biden’s campaign. Fresh off a very strong, compelling performance during the State of the Union last Thursday, he doubled down on his record and reminded America, despite concerns about his age, that he is a President who gets things done. One thing is evident from the SOTU speech: the Biden campaign is on offense. Speaker of the House Mike Johnson didn’t enjoy President Biden’s speech, and he showed his discontent by shaking his head in disapproval and showing negative facial mannerisms. Biden didn’t let Johnson’s dissatisfaction or the dissatisfaction of the GOP rattle him and made it clear amid hecklers that we are” In a battle for the soul of America.” while taking many jabs at his predecessor, Donald Trump.
The following Saturday afternoon in Georgia, Biden stopped by Pullman Yards for a campaign event with approximately 500 people, including supporters, political leaders, and members of BIOPIC-led organizations. Sen. Raphael Warnock and Sen. Jon Ossof gave endorsements and doubled down on Biden’s track record as a President, touting his record investments in infrastructure through the Bi-Partisan Infrastructure Law and over 7 billion dollars that the administration has invested into HBCUs. Warnock said, “As we think about this election, and think about the work, and think about the challenges, and think about the alternative – the first thing I need you to do is remember the record.” This urged the audience to consider Biden’s record on initiatives like Roe v. Wade and the cancellation of student debt over his predecessor, Donald Trump. Jon Ossof let the crowd know that “Georgia determines this country’s future.” He went on to say that “Georgia has the power to set the course for our republic once again, as Georgia already has. But to use that power, we have to vote.” Stressing the magnitude Georgia holds in re-electing Joe Biden. Leaders from the AAPI Victory Fund, Latino Victory Fund, and The Collective PAC all offered endorsements for the President. They reminded the audience how important unity is in defeating fascism, all while the crowd chanted, “Four more years” and, “We’ve got the receipts.”
As Biden spoke, an attendee advocating for Palestinian suffering interrupted boisterously in the middle of President Biden denouncing his opponent, Donald Trump’s, rally in Rome, GA, with Marjorie Taylor Greene and hosting authoritarian dictators like Victor Orban at Mar A Lago, Trump’s Florida residence. The attendee declared, “Genocide, Joe, Tens of Thousands of Palestinians have died.” Biden responded by saying, “I don’t resent his passion; there’s a lot of Palestinians being unfairly victimized.” Not far from President Biden’s event, there was a protest for Palestinian freedom, which made the evening even more interesting and showed the significance of the Israel/Palestine conflict on the election in November. Overall, the President had a great weekend for his reelection bid and proved he’s still got gas in the tank to lead the country. He will have to remain consistent in his performance to sway critical voters he will need to win in November.