President Joe Biden has fixated on former President Donald Trump four months before the 2024 Republican primary's first nominating contest in Iowa.
But focusing on the GOP front-runner has the benefit of undermining the entire field as his so-called MAGA extreme followers, regardless of who becomes the party's standard-bearer.
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Trump has a historic polling advantage, averaging 44 percentage points ahead of his most competitive primary opponent, Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL), nationally, according to RealClearPolitics. Trump's RealClearPolitics average aligns with a Quinnipiac University poll this month that found Trump had 62% support to DeSantis's 12%. Biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy was third with 6% of the vote.
“Trump has a huge lead but huge legal issues as well," Quinnipiac University poll analyst Tim Malloy told the Washington Examiner. "If he maintains the status quo with the GOP support he has, he cruises to the nomination."
Mindful of Trump's edge despite his legal problems, Biden increased his criticism of the former president during two fundraisers on the sidelines of the 78th U.N. General Assembly. Casting diplomacy aside, Biden told donors he does not see the country as "a dark, negative nation, a nation of carnage driven by anger, fear, and revenge."
"Donald Trump does," the president said at a “Broadway for Biden” event in New York City. "To his supporters, he says, 'I am your retribution.' … 'We’re a failing nation,' he says. 'Either they win or we win. And if they win, we no longer have a country.' Did you ever hear the president of the United States speak like that? Well, I believe we are a hopeful and optimistic nation, driven by the simple proposition that everyone deserves a fair shot."
“I’m running because democracy is at stake," he added, "because [in] 2024, democracy is on the ballot once again. Let there be no question: Donald Trump and his MAGA Republicans are determined to destroy American democracy, and I will always defend, protect, and fight for our democracy.”
Trump's opponents insist they are undeterred by Biden's strategy, contending caucusing and voting has not started. Additionally, there is another debate next Wednesday, which will be hosted by the Reagan Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum in Simi Valley, California.
“Tim Scott is a threat to the Democrat's narrative of victimhood because he exemplifies that in America you can go as far as your character and grit take you," Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC)'s campaign spokesman Nicole Morales said. "That’s why Tim is the candidate the radical Left fears the most."
A CNN poll this month found former U.N. Ambassador and South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley was the only Republican candidate leading Biden outside the margin of error in a direct comparison survey of registered voters, 49% to 43%.
"Based on the recent polls and the recent headlines, it's more clear than ever before that Americans are not only ready for new leadership, but they are tired of having a tone-deaf, absentee president," Haley super PAC SFA Fund, Inc. said.
At the same time, Trump has adopted a similar approach to Biden regarding his own primary opponents. While Biden has announced he will deliver a pro-democracy address during the second Republican debate, the former president will be speaking to striking unionized autoworkers in Detroit amid their collective action against General Motors, the Ford Motor Company, and Stellantis.
Biden's change of tone concerning Trump coincides with House Republican scrutiny of corruption allegations through an impeachment inquiry and son Hunter suing the IRS, accusing agents of illegally disclosing and failing to protect details related to his taxes.
Biden's criticism of Trump is being complemented by escalated advertisement expenditure by Biden super PAC, Future Forward USA Action. Biden's outside group is trying to underscore the president's legislative and policy record, particularly among Latino and Hispanic voters in Arizona, Nevada, and Pennsylvania, though polling indicates a lack of appreciation among the general electorate. The organization is investing $1 million in English and Spanish spots this month, supplementing the $14 million it has already spent during the past four weeks.
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Meanwhile, Biden's campaign last week promoted the third ad — a Wisconsin- and economics-centric spot — in its initial $25 million, 16-week push. Simultaneously, campaign aides are countering Trump's attacks concerning Biden's tensions with United Auto Workers, and the White House is emphasizing what it describes as a "splitscreen" between the president and before a likely federal government shutdown.
"On one hand, President Biden, who is focused on delivering for the American people," White House spokesman Michael Kikukawa said. "On the other, extreme congressional Republicans, whose priorities are a reckless, partisan laundry list beholden to the far-Right ideologues in their caucus."