President Biden laid out the terms of his upcoming reelection campaign — claiming “MAGA Republicans” are the “real problem” America is facing today.
“The real problem is those MAGA Republicans,” Biden said at a reception for the Democratic National Committee Friday. “MAGA Republicans are trying to take us backwards. But together, we’re not going to let them do it. Not an inch back.”
The line is a direct salvo at former President Trump, who remains the 2024 Republican presidential frontrunner — despite an avalanche of ongoing scandals and investigations.
Biden also used the speech to tout a series of legislative accomplishments during his first two years in office, including the CHIPS and Science Act, the Inflation Reduction Act, the American Rescue Plan and bipartisan infrastructure and gun reform laws.
“I’m here tonight to ask your help to help me finish the job. And, folks, here’s the bottom line. It’s very simple: We need you. Our democracy needs you, because this is about our freedoms.” Biden said offering many of the themes likely to dominate the upcoming race.
“Let’s keep growing the economy in the middle — from the middle out and the bottom up. Let’s protect — protect a woman’s right to choose and codify Roe v. Wade,” he said to applause.
“Let’s protect our children from gun violence by continuing to work to eliminate assault weapons. And let’s keep lowering the prescription drug cost not just for those on Medicare, but for all Americans — for all Americans.”
Biden also gushed about the appointment of Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, and boasted that he had “reestablished America’s leadership in the world.”
Biden has plenty of his own vulnerabilities. The president is currently suffering from historically low approval ratings and there are rumblings from fellow Dems that at 80, he might not be up for a reelection fight.