President Biden’s Visit to Boston Suggests Desire to Avoid Embarrassment in New Hampshire
President Biden has chosen not to campaign in New Hampshire, but recent actions by top Democrats indicate that he is still eager to avoid embarrassment in the traditionally influential first presidential primary. Although Biden will not appear on the ballot in New Hampshire, his allies are pushing for a write-in campaign for the president. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and other prominent Democrats have been making Biden’s case to New Hampshire Democrats in person. Furthermore, Biden’s recent visit to Boston for a fundraising blitz highlights the importance of the neighboring state. Despite the primary being unrecognized by the Democratic National Committee, it will serve as a crucial test for the incumbent president in the face of challenging electoral circumstances.
Biden Emphasizes the Threat of Trump to Democracy
During a series of campaign fundraisers, President Biden repeatedly highlighted the threat posed by former President Trump and his Republican supporters. Biden emphasized the need to prevent Trump from winning, stating, “Donald Trump and his MAGA Republicans are determined to destroy American democracy.” The president’s focus on Trump as a direct threat to democracy aims to rally support from Democratic voters who are concerned about the fate of the country under Trump’s leadership.
Write-in Campaign Aims to Ensure Biden’s Presence in the Unsanctioned Primary
To avoid the potential humiliation of not being included in the primary, Democratic elected officials, party leaders, and activists have been encouraging voters to write in Biden’s name on the ballot. In late November, Biden allies launched Granite for America, a super PAC dedicated to the write-in effort. The campaign aims to raise awareness and support for Biden’s reelection, despite his absence from the ballot. Congressman Ro Khanna has been actively rallying New Hampshire organizers, state lawmakers, community leaders, and labor leaders to aid the write-in campaign. The goal is to establish momentum for the rest of Biden’s reelection campaign.
New Hampshire Democrats Assert Their Importance
The unofficial primary in New Hampshire provides an opportunity for local Democrats to test campaign messaging, increase turnout, and recruit poll workers. Some residents believe that the Democratic National Committee’s decision to push the state out of the first spot on the primary calendar is a punishment for Senator Bernie Sanders’ wins in 2016 and 2020. Party leaders and strategists argue that the primary still holds significance and can prove the DNC wrong. By using the write-in campaign as an opportunity to train party activists and local committees, Democrats hope to make a statement and demonstrate their influence.
Biden’s Unique Position as an Incumbent
Political experts have drawn comparisons between President Biden and former President Lyndon B. Johnson, who overlooked New Hampshire in 1968 but narrowly defeated a challenge from Senator Eugene McCarthy. However, Biden’s advantage lies in the lack of serious Democratic competition. Dante Scala, a political science professor at the University of New Hampshire, suggests that Biden would prefer a quiet primary, as concerns about his age persist within the party. Nevertheless, Biden’s write-in campaign is crucial in ensuring his victory and preventing any margin of error in what is expected to be a challenging rematch of the 2020 election.
Preventing Trump’s Return to the White House
Despite frustrations with the process, Democrats involved in the write-in campaign emphasize the importance of reelecting Biden to keep Trump or any other “MAGA-type” person out of the White House. They argue that the future of democracy and the country are at stake, urging voters to prioritize the best interests of the nation. The write-in campaign represents a collective effort to safeguard the future of the United States and the integrity of the New Hampshire primary.
In conclusion, President Biden’s decision to avoid campaigning in New Hampshire does not diminish the significance of the state’s primary. His allies are actively pushing for a write-in campaign, while top Democrats work to convince New Hampshire voters of Biden’s merits. The write-in effort aims to assert the importance of New Hampshire and ensure Biden’s presence in the election. Biden’s reelection campaign faces challenges, but the write-in campaign provides an opportunity to rally Democratic supporters and demonstrate their influence.