Biden to announce 2024 bid after the February 7 State of the Union
President Joe Biden will announce his re-election bid after he gives his State of the Union address in February, according to new reports Thursday, as his advisers dismiss the classified documents scandal as ‘DC elite’ making ‘DC noise.’
Biden will give the speech on February 7th in the House of Representatives, where he’ll expected to use the prime time television event to emphasize his administration’s accomplishments, stress the importance of bipartisanship and governing, and tout the country’s strengthening economy.
‘We want him to be a president at State of the Union, not a candidate,’ a person close to Biden told NBC News.
President Joe Biden – seen in the Oval Office with Vice President Kamala Harris – will announce a second term after he gives his State of the Union address on February 7th
Meanwhile, his close inner circle of longtime aides have been on lockdown as they prepare for Biden’s 2024 re-election bid, trying to hold off any leaks about their plans and avoid triggering any legal issues with the Federal Election Commission.
But plans are moving full steam ahead and are unaffected by the appointment of a special counsel to investigate the classified material Biden had at his D.C. think tank and Wilmington, Delaware, home – an issue that has engulfed the White House in the past week.
Several of Biden advisers told CNN that it’s simply the ‘DC elite’ making ‘DC noise,’ referring to it merely as the latest passing obsession.
They also argue the questions from reporters and lawmakers on Capitol Hill are from those who won’t accept that Biden is ‘honoring his promise to a T by upholding the rule of law and respecting DOJ’s process.’
But, despite the argument from Biden’s team, the revelation the president had classified material in his personal possessions has affected Biden’s standing with the public.
Biden’s approval rating is getting back toward the lowest numbers of his presidency – despite coming off a strong performance by Democrats in the midterm election and the growing economy.
A Reuters-Ipsos poll – conducted amid the fallout of the documents scandal – found only 40 percent of Americans approved of Biden’s performance as president.
Biden advisers argue the classified documents found in his possession won’t be a political issue by November 2024 – above Biden backing his corvette into his Wilmington, Del., garage where some of the classified material was found
Donald Trump, who is running for a second term and facing his own classified documents scandal, is expected to keep hammering Biden on the issue
Biden advisers have argued the documents won’t be a political issue by the time the November 2024 contest rolls around but Republicans will be intent on keeping the administration’s crisis front and center.
Donald Trump, who is running for again in 2024, has been hammering Biden on the issue. The former president, who is being investigated by a special counsel for his own classified document scandal, is portraying himself as a victim of a double standard.
Meanwhile, House Republicans, in addition to holding hearings on the classified documents, plan to investigate Hunter Biden’s business dealings, the ‘weaponization’ of the federal government and the crisis at the Southern border – all areas they see as Biden weak spots.
The White House plan has always been to continue with the business of governing and to show Biden being presidential.
Additionally, since the New Year began Biden’s schedule has been filled with events that can easily transform into a campaign message – including a trip to the Southern border.
Biden’s age – he is 80 – and his health remain a factor. He is the oldest president in American history.
A health issue for him or his family is one of the few things that could derail any plans for a second term.
First lady Jill Biden recently underwent a cancer scare – she was pronounced cancer free by White House Dr. Kevin O’Connor on Wednesday – and President Biden has faced questions about his advancing age. If he wins a second term he will be 86 when he leaves the White House.
Officials have said he will have his annual physical soon and, if he has it before he announces a second bid, it could take some of the pressure off the age question. Additionally, if it reveals a health issue, it could also allow the Biden family to reassess their 2024 plans.
Some Democrats have argued it’s time for a new generation of leadership in the party. Nancy Pelosi recently stepped down as the Democratic leader in Congress – although she remains a member of the House of Representatives – but odds of Biden facing a primary challenger are slim.
It’s highly unusual to challenge a sitting president who is running for a second term. And the fact Democrats held off a predicted Republican wave in the midterm election has strengthened Biden’s credentials as the leader of his party.
Powerful Democratic powerbroker Rep. Jim Clyburn – a longtime Biden ally – said he is all in for a second Biden term.
‘I’m all-in for President Biden,’ he told CBS’ Robert Costa. ‘I think he’s demonstrated, in these two years … that he is deserving of re-election. And I do believe he will be re-elected irrespective of who the Republicans, they put up.’