On Tuesday, President Joe Biden announced his candidacy for reelection, sparking a competition to persuade the nation that his achievements justify another term in the presidency and that his age will support his leadership capabilities. In an early morning video release, Biden positioned the upcoming election as a battle against the extremist tendencies of the Republican Party, implying that he requires additional time to fully accomplish his promise of revitalizing the nation’s value.

The president emphasized that his initial call to action remains valid as America struggles for its soul. He opened the video by featuring footage of January 6, 2021, insurrection and activists protesting outside the U.S. Supreme Court on issues related to abortion rights. Through a voiceover narration, Biden claims that the crux is whether Americans will witness an expansion or erosion of their freedom and rights in the coming years.

In a formal announcement on Tuesday, President Joe Biden declared his candidacy for the 2024 presidential election, requesting voters to grant him additional time to accomplish his goals and continue serving as the oldest president in American history.#JoeBiden2024 #Biden2024 pic.twitter.com/faJFkOmM48

— News Live (@NewsLiveFree) April 26, 2023

The president unequivocally states that he desires a future where citizens have more liberties and opportunities rather than fewer. He urges the American people not to be complacent, emphasizing that he is running for reelection to continue the flight.

Biden’s Reelection Bid Potential Rematch Against Trump

Biden’s announcement officially confirms his intention to run for the 2024 Presidential Election, ending any speculation surrounding his candidacy. The commencement of the campaign marks the beginning of what could potentially result in a rematch with his 2020 opponent, former President Donald Trump. Despite his notable legislative accomplishments, Biden’s approval ratings remain relatively low, a challenge his advisors have yet to resolve.

President Biden’s fourth and final presidential campaign will again center on familiar themes. Furthermore, as the oldest President in history, he must address continued concerns regarding his age. It’s noteworthy that Biden launched his bid on the same day four years ago when he declared his candidacy for the 2020 election, where his main objective was to restore the nation’s character and bump from winning a second term.

As he did in 2020, the President is invoking the nation’s core values, particularly in light of the potential of Trump’s return. In his announcement video, Biden cautions against the influence of “MAGA extremists,” who, he alleges, attempt to dictate women’s healthcare decisions, ban books, and impose limitations on personal relationships. The President urges Americans to uphold democracy, fight for personal liberties, and defend their right to vote and civil rights. According to Biden, this moment is another crucial moment for the country.

Age Concerns Evident as Little Excitement Surrounds Biden’s Reelection Bid

President Biden is expected to have a smooth path to secure his party’s nomination, with no major Democratic challengers anticipated to arise. Only two candidates, author Marianne Williamson, environmental lawyer, and anti-vaccine activist Robert F. Kennedy Jr., are vying for the nomination. Nonetheless, as the oldest President in U.S. history at 80, Biden’s age remains a concern among even his own party members, as polls consistently reflect. This lack of enthusiasm surrounding Biden’s reelection campaign reflects doubts among Democrats about whether he can maintain the vigor and energy required to serve as President for another term.

Recent surveys indicate little excitement among most Americans, including most Democrats, for another presidential run by Biden. His reelection bid may face many upcoming obstacles, including the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and an uncertain economy. Additionally, with power divided between Washington and the GOP in the House, prospects for significant legislative achievements in the two years leading up to the 2024 election appear slim.

Key Triumphs and National Challenges

President Biden has achieved significant success with his ambitious policy agenda in office. He has worked closely with Congress to secure funding for Covid-19 relief, rebuild infrastructure, boost domestic semiconductor chip production, and address climate change. Furthermore, his administration has taken steps to reverse the previous administration’s nationalist approach to diplomacy by re-engaging with global agreements and strengthening partnerships with allies whom his predecessor had neglected.

Despite the Biden administration’s achievements, several national issues have presented significant challenges often beyond the federal government’s control. These issues and some acknowledged missteps by the administration have provided ample fodder for Republican criticism and resulted in consistently low approval ratings for Biden.

These challenges include the chaotic and deadly withdrawal from Afghanistan, struggles with border policy, fluctuations in energy prices, missteps with important allies, and supply chain issues leading to shortages of essential items such as Covid-19 tests, baby formula, and certain medications. Over the next few months, Biden is pressured to negotiate with Republican lawmakers to raise the national borrowing limit to avoid an economic disaster, which has already caused concern due to the uncertain economic recovery.

During the midterm elections in November 2020, Biden’s party managed to avoid a dramatic red wave in the House of Representatives and picked up a seat in the U.S. Senate, defying historical trends. Biden has generally identified as a centrist and has won over progressive Democrats by making massive climate investments and taking steps to relieve student debt. However, there are still concerns, even within his own party, about his ability to garner enough support from voters to win another term.

Addressing the Challenge of Election Denialism

With a lengthy career in Washington, Joe Biden assumed office as President for the first time in 2021, facing the aftermath of the Capitol insurrection and the widespread denial of the 2020 election results that have continued to haunt his presidency. During his presidential campaign, he emphasized the election’s significance as a battle for the nation’s soul following four years under Donald Trump. This theme has been a recurring one during his term, with Biden issuing a stern condemnation of Trump and his supporters’ efforts to subvert democracy in the run-up to the 2022 midterms, essentially arguing that the election was a referendum on election denialism.

According to CNN’s report in August, running a campaign is an arduous task, and not everyone in the Biden family initially supported it. However, during an interview with CNN in February, Jill Biden stated that she fully supported her husband’s campaign. In October, Biden defended himself against concerns about his age by pointing out his accomplishments since taking office. He challenged people to name a president in recent history who has accomplished as much as he has in the first two years of their presidency.

Biden’s potential challenger in the next election could be a former president – Trump. However, Trump faces business fraud charges in New York and is still under investigation for his actions as president. He would need to defy historical odds to retake the presidency, as Grover Cleveland was the only U.S. president to lose an election and reclaim the White House four years later. Additionally, some Republicans have shown reluctance to support Trump’s presidential bid, especially after the poor performance of Trump-backed candidates in key races during the 2022 midterms.

Read Also: 2024 White House Run Announced by Former GOP Governor, Asa Hutchinson