Though the candidates are the same as last time, the 2024 US presidential election promises to be unique in other ways — pitting two men facing challenges unprecedented in the 235-year history of US democracy.The speeches themselves aren’t exactly presidential — it’s hard to imagine Abraham Lincoln lashing out at judges or smearing political opponents as “Marxist thugs” — but Trump’s loyal base enjoys his proclivity for incendiary rhetoric and personal grievance.Like Trump, Biden’s age could be a major obstacle as he digs deep to inspire passion in voters over what is set to be one of the most longest, most arduous campaigns in history.
But he has surrounded himself with aides who play to his strengths.
The Democrat has been blitzing the all-important swing states during a recent campaign schedule that has taken in Michigan, Wisconsin, Arizona, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania.
He has eschewed the stadiums that Trump likes in favor of smaller gatherings, sometimes away from the television cameras, or low-key visits to small businesses — a barber shop with an African-American clientele, a Mexican restaurant.
He will take part in chats around the kitchen table — set-piece events carefully stage-managed by aides who send out flattering videos after the fact rather than allowing in journalists.
Biden, hunched over a hamburger and milkshake, will talk about student debt with a group of undergraduates or comfort a youngster suffering from his own childhood affliction, a bad stutter.
Avoiding interviews with the national press, Biden prefers short exchanges with local or community-based media, and seldom holds news conferences.
“Part of what makes President Biden a successful president is that he has that human connection with people. And that’s different from Trump’s mega rallies,” said Ben Wikler, Democratic Party chief in the swing state of Wisconsin.
In recent weeks, Biden has begun to regain ground in some polls.
With its coffers well-stocked, the Democrat’s campaign is stepping up its TV ad buy and banking on a targeted approach.
But Biden’s most loyal backers acknowledge that he needs to embrace the media spotlight if he is to reassure voters of his stamina and exuberance.
“They also know that he needs to be out there to overcome this image of him not being particularly young and vigorous,” added Belt, the politics professor.
“I think they know that they can’t keep hiding him.”
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