Will Biden-Trump be a Two-Act Play? – “The Sunday Political Brunch” April 30, 2023

Sunday, April 30, 2023

Mark Curtis, MINDSETTER™

 

View Larger +

2020 Presidential Debate PHOTO: File

To no one’s surprise, President Joe Biden announced his intention to seek a second term this past Tuesday. If he wins, he’d take his second oath of office at the age of 82. To some, it’s an issue, but to others, it’s not. But how viable is he, and whom might he face? Let’s “brunch” on that this week.

 

“The Reveal” – I’ll be honest. I’m not a big fan of the modern-day campaign kickoff. Instead of holding a news conference, where reporters can ask tough questions, campaigns now do a launch with a slickly produced video announcement. It’s a feel-good, kumbaya event, without a pesky reporter asking real questions about say, the non-enforcement of the Southern Border. Instead, the video starts with a collage of pictures, and soft music, with Biden saying, “Let’s finish this job. I know we can.”

GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST

 

“The Aisle Divides” – Mr. Biden, like so many in his position, is a highly divisive political figure. Republicans, as you might guess, fired hot volleys. "Over two-million people pouring across the Southern Border. Tons of drugs [are] coming across the southern border. We cannot get this administration to get serious about stopping the inflow of people and the drugs that are coming across our border," said Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R) West Virginia. West Virginia Democratic Party Chairman Mike Pushkin countered by saying, "I think that he'll be re-elected. the Biden-Harris ticket got a record number of votes in 2020. And I just don't see any of those votes changing their minds and supporting his likely opponent in 2024." An obvious slap at former President Donald Trump?

 

“Manchin in the Middle” – Sen. Joe Manchin (D) West Virginia remains the most powerful member of the U.S. Senate and has regaled in that role for years. So, I asked him this week, what he thought about Biden’s announcement and whether he could support his party’s standard bearer in 2024. “I wish him well. That’s all. I wish everybody well. It’s a great, great opportunity for everybody.  It’s democracy. That’s what it’s about!” That’s hardly a ringing or even a lukewarm endorsement. Manchin has been mentioned as a potential Democrat challenger to Biden’s renomination, or as a third-party candidate. Plus, his Senate seat is up in 2024. He says he’ll make no announcement on his political future until late this year, likely in December.

 

“Manchin in the Crosshairs” – Already, five-term Congressman Alex Mooney (R) West Virginia, has announced he will challenge Manchin for his Senate seat. But now Governor Jim Justice (R) West Virginia, who will term-out, will also enter the U.S. Senate race. Justice and Manchin, who were once close friends and political allies, have had a few falling outs. Manchin wrote and negotiated much of the controversial Inflation Reduction Act and may now try to repeal the energy policies.  “Joe had to be completely out of his mind to go along with this," Justice said.

Manchin blamed the Biden White House saying, "They're not following the guidelines of the law and the intent of the law.” The goal was a balance between traditional fossil fuels, and green, renewable energy. So far, it’s been all green, and no black (i.e., coal or oil), according to Manchin. This race likely will determine which party controls the U.S. Senate come 2024.

 

“The Campaign Strategies” – I expect the Biden camp will employ the “Rose Garden” strategy that President Jimmy Carter adopted during the Iran hostage crisis of 1979 and 1980. Basically, Carter was hunkered down in the White House, trying to look like he was managing a national emergency. There were few press avails, meaning you limit the chances of making a huge gaffe while the cameras were rolling. Biden’s handlers don’t want him misspeaking in the modern era of social media, where rolling back a mistake is almost impossible. Republicans, whether it is Trump or someone else, will pounce on this, just as Ronald Reagan did in 1980. The White House will be on the defensive, and the GOP on the offensive. This is a huge Republican advantage. In Jimmy Carter’s case, he simply became a politically-handcuffed prisoner inside the Oval Office.

 

“The Trump Response” – “Joe Biden – the single worst president in American history – is officially running for re-election. Hopeless Joe’s special interest donors are spending MILLIONS of dollars today to launch Biden’s campaign and keep their corrupt puppet in the White House. …But with YOUR help, today will be the moment his presidency begins its END,” a Trump release said. To no surprise, many Democrats are calling the Trump presidency the worst in American history. So, it’s tit-for-tat. Several other GOP members are running, but Trump is way ahead in the polls.

 

“Asa Hutchinson Announces” – As we announced here last week, former Congressman and Gov. Asa Hutchinson (R) Arkansas, officially announced his bid for the Republican presidential nomination in 2024. Don’t discount this guy, or this state. Arkansas sent Bill Clinton to the White House for two terms, and very nearly made another, former Governor Mike Huckabee, the nominee in 2008. It’s a heartland state which resonates in the entire Midwest and Great Plains State regions. Even current Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders is considered a future, viable GOP candidate for the White House. Arkansas has arrived!

 

“Trump v. Pence” – Late Wednesday, the U.S. District Court of Appeals in Washington DC, rejected Mr. Trump’s effort to quash the grand jury testimony of former Vice President Mike Pence regarding his conversations with Trump prior to, during, and after the January 6th riots at the Capitol. Trump had cited the conversations as executive privilege, but the court said no. Trump could have appealed his case to the U.S. Supreme Court, where Republican appointees hold a 6-3 majority, and three of them were appointed by Trump. It didn’t happen and Pence reportedly spent five hours testifying before the grand jury on Thursday. Oh, to be a fly on that wall!

Mark Curtis, Ed.D., is Chief Political Reporter for the seven Nexstar Media TV stations serving West Virginia, its five neighboring states and the entire Washington, DC media market. He is also a MINDSETTER™ contributing political writer and analyst for www.GoLocalProv.com and its affiliates.


 

Related Articles

 

Enjoy this post? Share it with others.

 
 

Sign Up for the Daily Eblast

I want to follow on Twitter

I want to Like on Facebook