What should Biden be doing differently?

[SnowLabrador]

If recent Redfield & Wilton polling is accurate, it's pretty clear that Biden is on track to be the biggest loser in decades in terms of U.S. presidential elections; this is not a category of Biggest Loser that you want to win. Therefore, he's doing something wrong, but the question is what. Assuming that he is not in fact throwing this election (which would make little sense, because he could have just declined to run for reelection), what is he doing wrong?

[Amenhotep Bakari-Sellers]

IGNORE

[Bernie Derangement Syndrome Haver]

When you’re a reasonable centrist, you get hit on all sides from the extremes. Sadly that’s just how it is. He needs to stop striking a balance to try to please everyone thus pleasing no one in the process. Given that young far leftists don’t really vote and will always find a way to move the goalposts to criticize him, he needs to stop listening to anything they say altogether and pivot further right on Israel (no conditions support for Netanyahu) and especially the border. He must take executive action on the disastrous border crisis, and Kamala must actually travel to the border. Firing Mayorkas would be a good idea as well. Also, limiting discussion of his support for transgender people and especially kids transitioning would be very important. Come June, don’t pay lip service to this.

[SnowLabrador]

For the record, I think Biden should go scorched-Earth on the issues of abortion and gun control, particularly the latter. Democrats need to start running on fear - it's worked so well for the GOP. If they showed pictures of gun violence victims with the caption "This is what Republicans want", they'd win a lot more elections.

[MR DARK BRANDON]

Snowlabrador threaf

In all honesty though I’ve been pretty happy with how he’s ran his campaign post SOTU. Maybe if I had to give some pointers it would be don’t let your stronger positions on I/P take the headlines (even if they are right) and make a more targeted and public effort at Nikki Haley voters.

[Clarence Boddicker]

Go full on IDGAF mode like Truman in 48.

[GAinDC]

My good, very offline friend said this to me recently:

“The center will hold”

I think there’s a lot of truth to this. As someone said previously, when you’re a centrist, you get hit from the fringes of the right and the left, which tend to be the loudest voices in the room (social media) and the most likely to voice their discontent (polling).

That is creating a perception that Biden is in big trouble, but I don’t think that’s the case. Yes, he faces headwinds from stubborn inflation, global conflicts and his advanced age. But for the reasonable folks towards the center, they’re not deal breakers. And his steady hand throughout these crises is an underrated strength.

I’d encourage his campaign not to get derailed by the loudest voices and keep focusing on the economy and his landmark legislation, as well as pushing back on extreme abortion bans, election denialism, the antisemitic elements of the “free Palestine” protests, the do-nothing Republican House, and of course Trump’s many controversies.

[Mr. Smith]

Not much left he can do at this point.  Stay the course. The bed is made, now lie in it.

[Devils30]

It might be just forces beyond Biden’s control. The people involved in Democratic politics in Washington really want an Elizabeth Warren party that has 170 reps, 32 senators and 13 governors. Of course mainstream Dem voters want otherwise (for now) but the pull of the progressive left is bringing the party straight into the ground.

Most mainstream voters don’t support ending Israel, equality of outcomes and releasing criminals onto the streets 2 hours after they assault someone. The Dems struggle with working class non-whites can give the GOP a big opportunity. These voters are foreign policy apathetic but love America winning. If the Rs can become the “made in America” party of manufacturing and building they can expand their gains in places like Youngstown. Scranton and eventually make these places deep red. The leftist slogans will take care of the rest regarding college moderate whites, Asians, Jews and 1/2 of Hispanics.

[Progressive Pessimist]

I seriously insist that he is doing the best he can with the hand he was dealt. His campaign is putting in the effort to recognize any red alerts.

[All Along The Watchtower]

He should find the big button in the White House (assuming Trump didn’t take it with him to Mar-a-Lago ) that makes prices go down without causing a recession, while also causing the President to age in reverse (no one’s actually used it since JFK FWIW).

That’s right folks—President Biden needs to find and push the Benjamin Franklin Button.

[Oregon Eagle Politics]

Pray that Trump further implodes.

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

"What should Talk Elections be doing differently?"

Not giving serious replies to threads made by the most boring, obnoxious and worthless troll on the forum in years.

[Progressive Pessimist]

Pray that Trump further implodes.

Thankfully this possibility is always high.

[The Economy is Getting Worse]

Not run again. I would feel too ashamed to think I deserve another term if I had his job performance.

[pbrower2a]

There are plenty of anti-Trump Republicans...enough to ensure a Biden victory in the critical states.

As I see it, Americans largely split between Republican supporters of Reagan's foreign policy, Democratic supporters of Reagan's foreign policy, and Trump supporters capable of excusing anything that Trump does. 

[°Leprechaun]

The polls don't look good for Biden right now, but things can still change.

Focusing only abortion would be a mistake, although the issue appears to be helping Biden. Gun control and Covid are among a number of issues that Biden should be talking about.

If Trump is convicted of a crime, that could help Biden.

Does anybody think Trump's choice for VP will have an impact on the election?

[Cyrusman]

Stop trying to act like the economy is well. People think he's even more senile than he is.

[Progressive Pessimist]

Stop trying to act like the economy is well. People think he's even more senile than he is.

Yeah, but he can't run on the economy being poor either. Trying to change perceptions is just about the best bet.

[GAinDC]

Stop trying to act like the economy is well. People think he's even more senile than he is.

Yeah, but he can't run on the economy being poor either. Trying to change perceptions is just about the best bet.

The economy is not poor. It's solid.

Since when did the average person ever measure the health of the economy by wonky things like "wage growth minus inflation" or by feelings like "vibecession?" It's completely ridiculous.

The economy is way too complex. So regular people have always looked at broader indicators like job and GDP growth, which are both historically strong, the stock market, which is at record highs, or cost of living, which saw a spike but has fallen back down to earth for over a year now. That's how Trump talked about the economy when he was President, and the media and the voters never questioned it.

Anybody who thinks Biden shouldn't talk up his own strong economic record is asking him to completely hobble his campaign and undermine his own accomplishments in a way people have never expected of a President before.

The fact is, for whatever reason, a lot of people have just decided that the economy is bad, but could not tell you why. Many are the same people who also rate their own financial situation as good -- they've gotten promotions and raises, have more savings, are going on nice vacations, and continue to spend lots of money despite higher prices. They also are more likely to rate their local or state economy as good, but apparently the U.S. economy, which encompasses all that, is horrible.

Somewhere down the road, a disconnect occurred and has stuck in people's minds. So, Biden and his surrogates need to set the record straight.

[Horus]

Talk about domestic issues more, foreign policy less. Issue popular executive orders, if the courts strike them down at least he tried. Fire Mayorkas. Openly and directly rebuke the insane immigration rhetoric from the "left" flank.

[Unbeatable Titan Susan Collins]

1. Short Answer not run again. His age is a serious liability and to be honest another candidate would have more freedom to run away from the Administartion

2. But assuming 1 isn't an option- Biden needs to figure out- a positive reason to vote for him.
In 2020, he like most challenges, was able to be a vessel for anyone who had problems with Trump. He can't do that this year.

3, He needs to decide to go after either disaffected leftist's or moderates and stick with it. Of the two groups the moderates an Hailey voters make the most sense. Young lefties have terrible turnout, might vote 3rd party anyway, and are mostly in safe states.

He right now seems to be focusing on Abortion, Student Loan Relief and Equivocating on Hamas.

With the exception of abortion those are both incredibly unpopular choices and seemed designed to repel Haley voters.

4. Might be too late now but he really should have encouraged Israel to go faster. The longer the war goes on the worst it gets for Biden. He is getting hit from both sides, and was probably always going to be.  His new position on aid does not seem to have given him any polling bump.

As macabre as it is to say it would be better for Biden's electoral prospects for the war to have ended in March with more civilian casualties, than to have it linger on and be in the news in the fall.

[jojoju1998]

Stop trying to act like the economy is well. People think he's even more senile than he is.

Yeah, but he can't run on the economy being poor either. Trying to change perceptions is just about the best bet.

The economy is not poor. It's solid.

Since when did the average person ever measure the health of the economy by wonky things like "wage growth minus inflation" or by feelings like "vibecession?" It's completely ridiculous.

The economy is way too complex. So regular people have always looked at broader indicators like job and GDP growth, which are both historically strong, the stock market, which is at record highs, or cost of living, which saw a spike but has fallen back down to earth for over a year now. That's how Trump talked about the economy when he was President, and the media and the voters never questioned it.

Anybody who thinks Biden shouldn't talk up his own strong economic record is asking him to completely hobble his campaign and undermine his own accomplishments in a way people have never expected of a President before.

The fact is, for whatever reason, a lot of people have just decided that the economy is bad, but could not tell you why. Many are the same people who also rate their own financial situation as good -- they've gotten promotions and raises, have more savings, are going on nice vacations, and continue to spend lots of money despite higher prices. They also are more likely to rate their local or state economy as good, but apparently the U.S. economy, which encompasses all that, is horrible.

Somewhere down the road, a disconnect occurred and has stuck in people's minds. So, Biden and his surrogates need to set the record straight.

Remember, Americans are not as wonky as we are. In 1984, The Econ Lyn was actually worse off than it is now. Higher inflation. Relatively lower growth. Reagan however looked strong, manly, an American. And people “felt “ like the economy was Improving.

As both head of state, and head of government, the us presidency has a far bigger aura than the prime minister of Canada. So people demand, that Biden “ acts “ like a president, and all the vibes fall from there.


Obama despite a far worse economy in 2012, used that playbook. The relatable yet “ strong “ President.

[Old Man Willow]

Biden should be taking decisive action on things like price gouging companies and housing. Even if it fails, perception is everything and it would help him portray himself as a fighter for consumers and young people. He will never do this though.

[GAinDC]

Stop trying to act like the economy is well. People think he's even more senile than he is.

Yeah, but he can't run on the economy being poor either. Trying to change perceptions is just about the best bet.

The economy is not poor. It's solid.

Since when did the average person ever measure the health of the economy by wonky things like "wage growth minus inflation" or by feelings like "vibecession?" It's completely ridiculous.

The economy is way too complex. So regular people have always looked at broader indicators like job and GDP growth, which are both historically strong, the stock market, which is at record highs, or cost of living, which saw a spike but has fallen back down to earth for over a year now. That's how Trump talked about the economy when he was President, and the media and the voters never questioned it.

Anybody who thinks Biden shouldn't talk up his own strong economic record is asking him to completely hobble his campaign and undermine his own accomplishments in a way people have never expected of a President before.

The fact is, for whatever reason, a lot of people have just decided that the economy is bad, but could not tell you why. Many are the same people who also rate their own financial situation as good -- they've gotten promotions and raises, have more savings, are going on nice vacations, and continue to spend lots of money despite higher prices. They also are more likely to rate their local or state economy as good, but apparently the U.S. economy, which encompasses all that, is horrible.

Somewhere down the road, a disconnect occurred and has stuck in people's minds. So, Biden and his surrogates need to set the record straight.

Remember, Americans are not as wonky as we are. In 1984, The Econ Lyn was actually worse off than it is now. Higher inflation. Relatively lower growth. Reagan however looked strong, manly, an American. And people “felt “ like the economy was Improving.

As both head of state, and head of government, the us presidency has a far bigger aura than the prime minister of Canada. So people demand, that Biden “ acts “ like a president, and all the vibes fall from there.


Obama despite a far worse economy in 2012, used that playbook. The relatable yet “ strong “ President.

Therefore, Biden needs to project strength and confidence by talking about America's economic successes under his leadership. Our economy is the envy of the world.

Here's a test: Next time you see a new piece of economic data, even if you don't think it tells the whole story, ask yourself, "would Trump tweet about this stat if he was President now?" If the answer is yes, then you can't blame Biden and his Administration for doing the same thing.