Staff Reports
Joe Biden is apparently all in on his campaign this year, and he’s making some interesting plays to try and lower tensions after an assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump. Speaking to the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), Biden urged the nation to reject all forms of gun violence, which might have sounded a bit more sincere if he hadn’t previously talked about putting Trump in a “bulls-eye.” Talk about mixed messages.
After the Pennsylvania shooting that grazed Trump’s ear and claimed the life of one of his supporters, Biden pulled his attack ads—for a hot minute. But it wasn’t long before he jumped back into campaign mode, making sure to resume his well-worn routine of bashing Trump. Never one to miss an opportunity, Biden took aim at Trump’s character, his stance on Obamacare, and his use of the term “Black jobs.” In doing so, he managed to throw some praise Kamala Harris’s way, because if there’s one thing this administration is good at, it’s patting itself on the back.
Biden tells Americans to reject all violence, linking attempt on Trump to other gun tragedieshttps://t.co/VuOqgbHrxM pic.twitter.com/DQgSuFIi65
— The Washington Times (@WashTimes) July 17, 2024
Biden’s speech to the NAACP wasn’t without its usual gaffes, either. In a moment that left many scratching their heads, he announced a plan to cap rent increases “to $55.” Turns out he meant 5%, but who’s counting? Clearly, when Biden is involved, details are mere suggestions.
While playing up his ties to Black voters, Biden reminisced about his time as vice president under Barack Obama and his decision to appoint Ketanji Brown Jackson to the Supreme Court. Sounds impressive until you remember that even with these moves, many Black voters—especially men—are still drifting toward Trump. Maybe that’s why Biden is trying so hard to remind everyone that he’s “all in” and a “lifetime member of the NAACP.” A more cynical observer might see these declarations as pandering rather than genuine commitment.
As speculation swirls about whether Biden will stick around for the long haul, he reassured everyone that Kamala Harris is ready to step up if needed. He boasted about closing wage gaps and expunging marijuana offenses, all while promising to restore abortion access. But given his approval ratings and performance in debates, it seems like a shrinking number of voters—especially younger Black voters—are buying what he’s selling.
Biden wrapped up by promoting his efforts on a two-day trip through Nevada, a critical swing state. He needs every vote he can get, given that Trump is leading him by 4 to 5 points in Nevada polls. Biden might have won the state in 2020, but the 2024 race is shaping up to be a different ball game altogether. Whether his efforts to court the Black vote and make grandiose promises will pay off remains to be seen.
