Biden says he’s an optimist. But his dire warnings about Trump have become central to his campaign

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President Joe Biden frequently concludes his speeches with a message of optimism about the future of America. However, he has also started to outline a potentially disastrous scenario should former President Donald Trump return to office.

Biden has recently accused Trump, a Republican, of seeking to dismantle American democracy and pursuing revenge. His re-election campaign has escalated these warnings, suggesting dire consequences such as a nationwide abortion ban and massive detention camps under a future Trump administration. Trump, known for his strict immigration policies, has not supported a federal abortion ban.

Central to Biden’s 2024 campaign strategy is the contrast between himself and Trump. Initially, mentions of Trump in Biden’s addresses were brief and dismissive, but as the election approaches, these references have become more frequent and pointed. This shift reflects an attempt to galvanize Democratic voters who might be more motivated by preventing Trump’s return than by Biden’s policies on infrastructure and renewable energy.

Acknowledging voter dissatisfaction with the economy and concerns about his age, Biden, at nearly 81 years old, is the oldest individual to assume the presidency. At a fundraising event in San Francisco, Biden likened Trump’s rhetoric to that of the Nazis, accusing him of demonizing political opponents. However, he maintains his optimistic stance about America’s future.

Biden’s campaign views his dual messaging of hope and caution as complementary. Michael Tyler, the campaign’s communications director, sees these as two sides of the same coin, both crucial to their strategy. In contrast, Trump’s campaign spokesman, Steven Cheung, criticizes Biden’s comments as destructive to democracy and offensively compares them to Nazi rhetoric, suggesting Biden suffers from “Trump Derangement Syndrome.”

Despite these controversies, Biden credits himself for Democratic successes, such as Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear’s re-election, highlighting federal spending on infrastructure and COVID-19 relief. Democratic strategists, including Jim Messina, advise focusing on Trump to remind voters of his tumultuous presidency. Biden’s campaign aims to draw attention to Trump’s potential actions if re-elected, rather than just his legal issues.

Biden emphasizes the critical nature of this election for democracy. AP VoteCast data from the 2022 midterms indicate that democracy concerns were almost as influential as inflation among voters, particularly among Democrats.

Countering this, Trump’s campaign accuses Biden of corruption and destructiveness, pointing to the two impeachments and indictments faced by Trump as evidence of his persecution. They also highlight allegations of Joe Biden’s involvement in his son Hunter’s business dealings, although conclusive evidence is lacking.

Polls indicate that these allegations have raised doubts among Americans about Joe Biden’s integrity. A survey by The Big Big News-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research shows a divided opinion on whether Joe Biden acted illegally or unethically in relation to his son’s business activities.

Biden acknowledges that winning a second term does not automatically safeguard democracy. He stresses the importance of national unity and adherence to foundational principles, contrasting this with what he perceives as Trump’s and his supporters’ willingness to abandon these ideals.

Contributions to this report were made by Big Big News writer Jill Colvin in New York and AP Director of Public Opinion Research Emily Swanson.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Biden-Trump Campaign Strategy

More about Biden-Trump Campaign Strategy

• Biden’s Optimism and Trump Warnings
• Biden Accuses Trump of Democracy Threat
• Biden Campaign Strategy for 2024
• Voter Reactions to Biden’s Economy
• Trump Campaign’s Response to Biden
• Democracy as Key Election Issue
• Allegations Against Joe Biden and Hunter Biden