In a move aimed at bolstering Vice President Kamala Harris’s presidential campaign and solidifying his own legacy, President Joe Biden will join Harris on her first joint campaign trip next week, CBS News reports.
The duo will travel to Maryland on Thursday to discuss “the progress they are making to lower costs for the American people,” according to the White House. This joint appearance marks their first campaign event together since Biden announced his withdrawal from the 2024 presidential race.
With inflation remaining a key concern for voters ahead of the November election, the campaign trip serves as an opportunity for both Biden and Harris to highlight their efforts to address the issue.
Harris has gained considerable momentum since assuming the top spot on the Democratic ticket, drawing large crowds at rallies, generating record fundraising amounts, and narrowing Trump’s lead in polls.
In contrast, Biden has kept a relatively low profile since his withdrawal, participating in fewer public events and focusing on his lame-duck presidency.
While Biden’s initial plan involved limited campaigning until the Democratic National Convention in August, it appears he is increasingly eager to solidify his legacy and support Harris’s campaign against his nemesis, Donald Trump.
The joint campaign trip is seen as a strategic move, with Harris seeking Biden’s support in key battleground states like Pennsylvania and Michigan where he remains popular, particularly among older white voters.
Biden, however, is expected to remain a less visible presence in the campaign, focusing on a limited schedule in the fall.
In a recent interview, Biden expressed concerns about a potential repeat of the events following the 2020 election, warning that he is “not confident at all” of a peaceful transfer of power if Trump loses a second time.
Another priority for Biden’s remaining time in office is to push for a ceasefire in the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas. Biden, along with leaders from Egypt and Qatar, has invited the warring factions to resume talks on August 15th, the same day as his joint appearance with Harris, in hopes of reaching an agreement.
This joint campaign appearance marks a significant moment in both Biden and Harris’s political trajectories, signaling their commitment to securing Harris’s victory and demonstrating their shared vision for the future of the Democratic Party.
