Democrats Have a Better Option Than Biden

Speech Strategy

Ezra Klein examines Joe Biden's campaign strategy, emphasizing the missed opportunities in his public appearances. Klein notes that Biden's team skipped the Super Bowl interview, a platform with a massive audience, which could have been pivotal in gaining ground against Donald Trump 1. Klein argues that Biden's campaign does not treat him as a desirable asset, contrasting his limited interviews with the more frequent media engagements of past presidents like Obama and Trump 1.

The Biden campaign does not treat Biden like he is a desirable asset.

--- Ezra Klien

Klein also highlights the stark difference in energy and delivery between Biden's past and recent speeches, suggesting a decline that could impact voter perception 2.

   

Campaign Challenges

Biden's campaign faces significant challenges, particularly concerning his age and public perception. Klein points out that Biden's frequent slips, like confusing world leaders' names, contribute to doubts about his cognitive fitness 3. Despite Biden's past successes, Klein argues that his current campaign lacks the vigor needed to reassure voters of his capabilities 4.

Voters believe Biden is too old for the job he seeks. He needs to persuade them otherwise, and he is failing at that.

--- Ezra Klien

Klein stresses that the Democrats need a candidate who can aggressively campaign, as Biden's cautious approach may not suffice in the upcoming election 4.

   

Approval Concerns

Klein discusses the broader implications of Biden's perceived frailty on his approval ratings. He notes that Biden's age isn't the core issue; rather, it's the impression of slowness and lack of control that concerns voters 5. Klein highlights that despite positive developments like the Inflation Reduction Act, Biden's approval ratings remain stagnant, suggesting a disconnect between his actions and public perception 5.

The presidency is a performance. You are not just making decisions, you are acting out the things people want to believe about the president.

--- Ezra Klien

Klein argues that Democrats need a candidate who can effectively communicate achievements and exploit opponents' weaknesses, a role Biden currently struggles to fulfill 5.