President Biden’s re-election campaign announced Friday it is launching a $50 million ad buy, coupled with a travel push by both the incumbent and Vice President Kamala Harris across battleground states — even as some in the Democratic Party call on the 81-year-old to step down following last week’s debate.
The media blitz will target big events held this month, including the Summer Olympics and the Republican National Convention, the campaign said in a statement, adding that it will also have an ad presence during Monday night’s season premiere of “The Bachelorette.”
Democrats have been in disarray since the president’s disastrous debate performance against Donald Trump on June 27, with party lawmakers and donors openly questioning whether Biden can win a second term — and even whether he should be the nominee.
“Following his campaigning in Wisconsin and Pennsylvania this weekend, President Biden will return to Washington, DC for the NATO summit, where he will continue to demonstrate strong US leadership as we unite our allies,” the campaign said. “The President will deliver a keynote address and participate in a press conference in his official capacity.”
Biden will also travel to the Southwest to court black and Latino voters, hitting up Las Vegas for the NAACP and UnidosUS annual conferences, both of which overlap with the RNC’s July 15-18 gathering in Milwaukee.
The campaign announced its plans hours before Biden was set to sit down for an interview with ABC’s George Stephanopoulos that many observers see as crucial to revitalizing his campaign.
Curiously, the campaign noted in its statement that Biden “can also be expected to engage in frequent off-the-cuff moments over the course of the month.”
Harris, who would have the easiest time replacing Biden if he did decide to drop out, will also continue her travel plans, along with first lady Jill Biden and second gentleman Doug Emhoff.
“Harris will speak at ESSENCE Festival of Culture on Saturday in her official capacity, before traveling to a campaign event in Las Vegas on Tuesday,” the campaign said. “Also this month, Vice President Harris will speak at the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.’s 71st Boulé and the Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.’s Grand Boulé in her official capacity.”
The July push will emphasize Biden’s messaging on abortion, the economy “and the threat Donald Trump poses to our democracy.”
“This will be a close race, decided by battleground voters who require consistent time, outreach, and attention,” the readout argued.
“While Donald Trump is on the golf course, we are putting in the work to reach critical voters and frame this election as a choice between Joe Biden – a fighter for American families – and Donald Trump – a convicted criminal who is running a campaign of revenge and retribution focused only on himself.”
