Supporting President Joe Biden's Reelection
During a visit to a campaign office in Madison, Wisconsin, Vice President Kamala Harris asked attendees to write down reasons for supporting President Joe Biden's reelection on poster board.
Frank Pohlkamp, a Democratic voter, wrote, "because democracy matters."
Pohlkamp expressed concern over the planning by Trump's side regarding the transfer of power between the 2020 election and the Jan. 6, 2021, attacks on the U.S. Capitol, emphasizing the importance of the rule of law and democracy to the United States.
Focus on Jan. 6 in Presidential Campaign
Former President Donald Trump has made Jan. 6 a central theme of his presidential campaign, while he and other Republicans seek to minimize the seriousness of the attack and the unfounded allegations of election fraud that fueled it.
President Biden views emphasizing Trump's rhetoric and portraying him as a "threat" to democracy as a key contrast to underscore. This approach echoes his 2020 campaign, characterized as a battle for the "soul of the nation," a theme he revisited during the 2022 midterm elections.
Challenging the Narrative: Jan. 6 and the 2024 Election
As the 2024 election season heats up, the focus on the events of January 6th is becoming a central theme in political discourse. While some, like Democratic Sen. Tammy Baldwin, emphasize the importance of addressing pocketbook issues, others, like former President Trump, are doubling down on the narrative surrounding the Capitol insurrection.
Trump's promise to prioritize the release of January 6 "hostages" and his recent rally in Ohio, where he honored individuals involved in the events of that day, underscore his commitment to this narrative. Furthermore, his warning that there may not be another election in the country if he is not successful in the upcoming election adds a sense of urgency to his campaign.
Meanwhile, concerns about democracy and election integrity remain at the forefront of discussions. Trump's collaboration with GOP House Speaker Mike Johnson on an "election integrity" bill raises questions about the balance between safeguarding democracy and imposing restrictive voting measures.
Public Opinion and the Road Ahead
Recent polling indicates that while the majority of Americans disapprove of the events of January 6th, there is a division in public opinion regarding who would be the better candidate for democracy in the upcoming election. Despite Trump's involvement in perpetuating election denialism, some voters still see him as a viable option.
As the election season progresses, the clash between narratives of democracy, security, and personal freedoms is likely to intensify. How candidates navigate these competing priorities and resonate with voters on issues beyond January 6 will ultimately shape the outcome of the 2024 election.
In a recent poll conducted in the battleground state of Georgia, it was found that 48% of voters believed that Trump would make democracy stronger, while only 43% thought the same about Biden. On the other hand, a separate poll of likely voters revealed that 46% considered Trump to be "bad for democracy," compared to 39% who said the same about Biden.
Congressional Democrats Call on Biden to Prioritize Democracy and Jan. 6 on the Campaign Trail
"You have to connect it with other challenges," stated New Jersey Democratic Rep. Andy Kim, known for his efforts in cleaning up debris in the Capitol following the events of Jan. 6, when discussing how the Biden campaign should focus on democracy.
Abortion has emerged as a major point of contention for the Biden campaign, which has been emphasizing how Trump's Supreme Court appointments led to the erosion of the federal right to abortion, subsequently resulting in more stringent abortion restrictions in states controlled by Republicans.
However, the events of Jan. 6 are also playing a significant role in President Biden's reelection strategy. To Biden, it represents a test of character and serves as a stark contrast between himself and Trump.
"While we face daily challenges such as ongoing inflation and global conflicts, the potential repercussions of a Trump presidency would far outweigh these issues, leading to a deteriorating America," remarked Texas Rep. Veronica Escobar, a co-chair of the Biden campaign.
"Whether democracy is still America's sacred cause is the most urgent question of our time. And it's what the 2024 election is all about," Mr. Biden said in Blue Bell, Pa., in January, on the third anniversary of the Jan. 6 riots.
In April, the Biden campaign held a press conference with two police officers who were at the Capitol during the Jan. 6 assault. Former Capitol Police Sergeant Aquilno Gonell argued voters should be worried about threats to democracy because "if you don't have democracy, then your job is probably gonna go; your liberties are probably gonna go."
"As President Biden said, Donald Trump's campaign is obsessed with the past, not the future. He's willing to sacrifice our democracy to put himself in power," said Biden campaign spokesperson James Singer. "Our campaign will continue to underscore the choice in this election and defend the truth against Donald Trump's Big Lie."
Now less than seven months out from Election Day, Trump's baggage from Jan.6 — and the Biden campaign's tactic of highlighting it — isn't going away.
"Their entire narrative is a lie, and Americans know that Joe Biden is the true threat to democracy as he continues to allow an invasion of our borders, his weakness is leading our country straight into World War III, and he weaponizes our justice system," said Trump campaign press secretary Karoline Leavitt.
Despite concerns from some quarters, there are Republicans who do not seem to be worried. In response to a question from CBS News about whether Jan. 6 poses a vulnerability for Trump on the campaign trail, Missouri GOP Sen. Josh Hawley stated, "That issue's been so litigated, and I think people have made up their minds about it completely."
"What is there left to say that hasn't been said? And what political advantage is there left to wring from it that Democrats have shamelessly not yet attempted to wring," said Hawley, who was among more than 100 Republicans in Congress who objected to certifying Biden's win in two swing states after the attack.
California Rep. Mike Garcia, a battleground district Republican whose seat will likely be critical as the GOP tries to hold its tiny majority this fall, expressed his disapproval of the events of Jan. 6 — a sentiment shared by voters. However, he dismissed it as an ineffective campaign issue for Mr. Biden.
"If this president is trying to resurrect that issue and run on that – then it's an indication that he's failed to accomplish things in the last three and a half years of his presidency," argued Garcia, who voted against certifying Mr. Biden's win in two battleground states in the hours after the attack.
Trump's campaign rhetoric is riddled with practical contradictions. Despite championing police and the need for law and order, a mob of his supporters clashed with police on Jan. 6, injuring over 100 people in law enforcement.
The Department of Justice recently announced on its website that close to 500 individuals have been charged with assaulting, resisting, or impeding officers or employees. This includes approximately 129 individuals who have been charged with using a deadly or dangerous weapon or causing serious bodily injury to an officer.
Despite the violence, Trump and his staunchest allies seem to downplay these events. However, there are those who are clearly uneasy with Trump's amicable stance towards individuals who tried to disrupt the peaceful transfer of power over three years ago.
South Dakota GOP Sen. Mike Rounds expressed his concerns, stating, "Jan. 6 is not going to be a good selling point to the American public long term."
