How Biden Handed Trump the White House - The Atlantic

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Key Factors in Trump's Victory

This article posits that Joe Biden's decision to run for re-election, despite his age and low approval ratings, was a key factor in Donald Trump's 2024 victory. It argues that Biden's perceived unfitness for office, coupled with Kamala Harris's unsuccessful campaign, allowed Trump to win key demographics.

Biden's Role

The article criticizes Biden's decision to run for a second term, citing his declining approval ratings and widespread perception that he was too old and cognitively impaired. It suggests his decision defied both voter sentiment and his own previous statements about serving only one term. The author claims Biden's continued presence on the ticket ultimately hindered the Democrats' chances.

  • Biden's age and perceived cognitive decline were significant concerns.
  • He ignored warnings and ran against popular opinion within the Democratic Party.
  • His late withdrawal from the race hurt Harris's campaigning efforts.

Harris's Campaign

Kamala Harris's campaign strategy is also heavily criticized. Her efforts to garner suburban Republican support are viewed as a failure. Additionally, the article highlights her perceived neglect of core Democratic constituencies, including Black and Hispanic men and Arab Americans, as key shortcomings.

  • Her campaign strategies were ineffective.
  • She neglected core Democratic voter groups.
  • She failed to differentiate herself from Biden's unpopular policies.

Conclusion

The article concludes that the combined effect of Biden's decision to seek re-election and Harris's ineffective campaign paved the way for Trump's unexpected victory. It suggests that the Democratic Party's strategic missteps contributed significantly to their defeat, leaving the country facing a potentially challenging future.

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