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According to insiders, President Biden’s presence in the upcoming presidential race could transform the political map, making light-blue states into contested battlegrounds. Reports suggest that Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Mexico, and Virginia, which Biden won comfortably in 2020, could be up for grabs in November after a poor debate performance by Biden. Despite somewhat alarming poll numbers, Biden remains committed to running, while down-ballot Democrats, local elected officials, and party strategists voice concerns around Biden’s potential impact on the election results.
Democrats fear Biden’s presence is shifting the political landscape as his debate performance leads to tightening races
Stay updated with the latest Biden news and election updates. Reports suggest President Biden’s candidacy is changing the electoral map, prompting concerns among Democrats. Down-ballot Democrats and strategists fear states like Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Mexico, and Virginia—which Biden comfortably won in 2020—could be competitive in November following Biden’s dismal debate performance.
Polls suggest a close race between Biden and ex-President Trump in these states, with Virginia at a virtual tie and Trump slightly leading in New Hampshire. An alarming sign for Biden as he needs to win in close contests like Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. Expanding battlegrounds could affect his campaign resources due to him falling behind in traditional swing states.
Biden shows no sign of stepping aside, dismisses poor polling
Despite the speculation, Biden insists on running and downplays poor polling numbers. Seasoned Democratic operatives express legitimate concerns, while the Biden campaign highlights its considerable advantage in staff, offices, and funding across these states.
Despite Trump’s campaign being light on the ground, they plan to open offices in Minnesota and Virginia. However, Biden’s team has nearly four dozen offices across Minnesota, New Hampshire, and Virginia with hundreds of volunteers. In New Mexico, Democrats control the congressional delegation, governor’s mansion, and State Legislature.
Biden campaign dismisses Trump efforts to widen map
The Biden campaign undermines Trump’s efforts to expand the battleground due to his limited infrastructure and advertising. The campaign emphasized that they have multiple pathways to victory and won’t ignore any voter. Despite Trump’s efforts, Biden supporters claim he’s made few real inroads.
Differences in possible battleground states
Each potential battleground state presents different dynamics; for instance, Minnesota frequently votes for third-party candidates while New Mexico has a large Hispanic male population—a demographic Biden struggles with. Consistently across all four states, local Democratic officials express concerns about Biden’s age, inflation dissatisfaction, and closely divided electorates.
Biden needs to work to secure votes
Democratic officials believe Biden must work harder to secure votes. Patricia Benavidez, a Democrat who voted for Biden in 2020, is now leaning towards Trump. Virginia, a state that Democrats retook control of last year, urges caution over Biden’s candidacy. Mayor Levar Stoney of Richmond warns against taking the state for granted.
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