The Biden White House has a blunt message for doomscrolling Democrats fretting about the president's old age and bad poll numbers: Clam up and chill out.
Driving the news: Mike Donilon, a senior White House adviser, is telling anxious Democrats that two issues — abortion and Donald Trump — will propel Biden to re-election, according to people familiar with the matter.
Driving the news: Mike Donilon, a senior White House adviser, is telling anxious Democrats that two issues — abortion and Donald Trump — will propel Biden to re-election, according to people familiar with the matter.
- In those private conversations, Democrats have been struck by top White House aides' confidence. Some worry it's hubris.
- Instead, the White House plans to continue its Rose Garden strategy, with a three-pronged message that focuses on protecting democracy, abortion rights and a resilient economy, including a historically low unemployment rate.
- The recent calls for Biden to step aside are seen internally as just the latest example of elite Democrats underestimating Biden.
- "I'm running because democracy is at stake," Biden told donors in New York late Monday.
- While stressing democracy, abortion and LGBTQ rights, Biden has launched a defense of his economic record that aims to define the GOP'sfiscal plans as "MAGAnomics" — an assault on Social Security, Medicare and the middle class.
- "While Republicans are going after each other, we are already reaching persuadable voters in battleground states," the adviser said. "Our eyes are focused on the long game."
- That column dropped during a week in which the White House was buffeted by bad news and bad polls.
- House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) directed the House to begin an impeachment inquiry into Biden. Meanwhile, the president's son, Hunter, was indicted on three counts related to his alleged illegal possession of a firearm.
- Just one in three registered U.S. voters think Biden would complete a second term if re-elected, according to a CBS News/YouGov poll released last weekend. It also showed voters prefer Trump over Biden 50-49%, despite the four felony indictments clouding Trump's bid for another term.