President Joe Biden addressed a campaign stop in Philadelphia, acknowledging that Vice President Kamala Harris will need to forge her own path distinct from his administration. Biden emphasized the importance of each president cutting their own path and expressed confidence that Harris would do the same. He criticized Donald Trump’s perspective as old and failed, highlighting the challenge Harris faces in distinguishing herself from the current president.
Despite announcing plans to be on the road from Labor Day onward, Biden’s campaign schedule this fall has been light due to urgent domestic and foreign crises. His presence on the trail could remind voters of the page Harris is trying to turn. The event in Philadelphia was one of the few political appearances the president has made since Harris secured the Democratic nomination. Plans for Biden’s campaign schedule leading up to the election remain unclear, but there is consideration for a tour through Pennsylvania with the state’s governor, Josh Shapiro.
Harris’ team believes that Biden’s influence among White, working-class voters, and older Americans can be utilized to mobilize those blocs in the final weeks of the race. The campaign has deployed Democratic heavyweights like Barack Obama and Bill Clinton to court voters on behalf of Harris. Despite Biden’s limited presence on the campaign trail, he has been fulfilling his duties as president, including responding to urgent crises like hurricanes and conflicts abroad.
The delicate balance between campaigning for Harris and fulfilling his presidential duties has forced Biden to navigate the complexities of the campaign season. While Harris remains loyal to Biden, she is also seeking opportunities to distinguish herself and present herself as a change candidate. Biden has embraced his own record as he prepares to depart public service, but fellow Democrats suggest that Harris should also assert her identity and vision for the future.
As the election approaches, both Biden and Harris face challenges in positioning themselves and distinguishing their visions for the country. While Biden emphasizes the importance of Harris cutting her path as president, Harris needs to leverage her own strengths and agenda to appeal to voters. The campaign continues to navigate the dynamics of incumbency and the need to present a unified front while also highlighting the differences between the two candidates to attract voters.
