President Joe Biden's re-election campaign is facing significant hurdles as support from key Senate allies begins to waver and campaign donations show signs of drying up. This comes amid a backdrop of rising tensions within the Democratic Party and an increasingly competitive race against former President Donald Trump.
In recent months, Biden's campaign has ramped up its operations, significantly increasing spending on advertising and staff. According to campaign finance reports, Biden's campaign and affiliated fundraising committees ended 2023 with over $117 million in cash on hand, despite spending more in the final quarter of the year than in the previous nine months combined. However, despite this financial push, polls indicate that Biden's approval ratings remain low, and his campaign has struggled to gain momentum in crucial battleground states.
NBC News reporting on the Biden campaign:
"The money has absolutely shut off."
Sounds bad. pic.twitter.com/WfpYtqPKo4
— Peter Henlein (@SwissWatchGuy) July 10, 2024
A growing number of Democratic delegates have expressed reservations about fully committing to Biden's candidacy. In states like Minnesota and Kentucky, a notable portion of delegates remain uncommitted, reflecting broader discontent within the party's base. This faction includes Muslim, Arab, progressive, and young voters who are dissatisfied with Biden's handling of issues such as the Middle East conflict and domestic policies. The Washington Examiner reports that these uncommitted delegates could leverage their position during the Democratic National Convention to push for changes in Biden's platform or leadership.
In addition to internal party challenges, Biden is also contending with a significant financial disadvantage compared to Trump. While Biden's campaign reported a strong cash position, Trump's fundraising efforts have been bolstered by a robust base of small-dollar donors. However, Trump's campaign is also burning through cash at an alarming rate, primarily due to mounting legal expenses. This financial strain on Trump's campaign could potentially level the playing field as the election approaches.
NEW: Four sources close to Biden’s reelection effort tell @NBCNews the campaign is suffering a major downshift in donations and officials are bracing for a seismic fundraising hit.
"The money has absolutely shut off."
w/@jonallendc @albamonica & team https://t.co/MpjlgF5I0O
— Natasha Korecki (@natashakorecki) July 10, 2024
Compounding these issues, several Senate Democrats in swing states are distancing themselves from Biden to bolster their own re-election prospects. Vulnerable incumbents, such as Senator Jon Tester of Montana, have highlighted their independence from the president's policies to appeal to a broader electorate.
This strategy reflects a larger trend among Senate Democrats in battleground states who are wary of being too closely associated with Biden's administration amid declining approval ratings.
Biden's campaign strategy has also faced criticism for its slow initial build-up, with concerns that the lack of early groundwork could hinder efforts to rebuild his coalition. Despite recent hires and increased spending on media production and airtime, the campaign's impact in key states like Pennsylvania and Michigan has been limited. Future Forward, a super PAC supporting Biden, announced plans to spend $250 million on ads for the fall, but it remains uncertain whether this will be enough to shift voter sentiment.
As Biden prepares for what is likely to be one of the longest and most contentious general election seasons in modern history, his campaign faces the dual challenge of consolidating support within the Democratic Party and countering a well-funded and aggressive Republican opponent. The upcoming Democratic National Convention in Chicago will be a critical juncture for Biden, as uncommitted delegates and intraparty tensions could shape the direction of his campaign and influence voter turnout in November.
