The Campaign Moment: Biden races to protect his legacy
Dec 13, 2024
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Paul Kane, Senior congressional correspondent for The Washington Post, and Matt Viser, White House reporter, dive into Biden's last attempts to cement his legacy, including strategic pardons and support for Ukraine. They analyze Trump’s Time magazine interview and what it reveals about his evolving political promises. The duo also discusses the GOP's dynamics under Trump's influence, especially regarding recent Senate appointments and their implications for the Republican agenda. It's a riveting look at urgency in political maneuvering.
Biden aims to solidify his legacy by granting nearly 1,500 pardons, addressing injustices and redefining his leadership image on second chances.
Trump's evolving political narrative reveals a more nuanced approach to issues, with significant implications from upcoming Senate appointments on his agenda's support.
Deep dives
Biden's Legacy and Final Weeks in Office
President Joe Biden is focused on solidifying his legacy in the final weeks of his administration. Recent actions include issuing a significant number of pardons, which notably include nearly 1,500 commutations, many for nonviolent offenders. This effort not only addresses past injustices related to mandatory minimum sentences from earlier legislation Biden supported but also serves to redefine his image as a leader who values second chances. By allocating funds for ongoing projects, such as aid to Ukraine and infrastructure development, he aims to set a strong foundation against potential future policy reversals by Donald Trump.
Donald Trump's Time Magazine Interview Revelations
Donald Trump's recent interview with Time Magazine provides significant insights into his evolving political narrative. In contrast to his campaign promises, Trump has acknowledged the challenges of reducing grocery prices, highlighting a more nuanced and uncertain approach to various issues that were once clear-cut during his campaign. Additionally, his stance on transgender rights has shifted, as he now downplays the issue that was a central focus in his previous rhetoric. The interview also reveals Trump's intentions regarding pardons for January 6th defendants, signaling a willingness to act quickly on this front while navigating the complex political landscape.
Senate Appointments and Their Implications
The upcoming Senate appointments in Ohio and Florida hold significant implications for Donald Trump's agenda. As governors prepare to fill these vacancies, the loyalty of their selections to Trump remains a critical question, particularly considering the varying relationships between Trump and the governors involved. The potential appointment of individuals connected to Trump, such as Laura Trump, could affect the Senate's dynamics and its willingness to support or oppose Trump's policies. This situation highlights the ongoing influence of Trump within the Republican Party, particularly during a time of transition as power shifts back to him.
Aaron Blake, senior political reporter and author of The Campaign Moment newsletter, sits down with senior congressional correspondent Paul Kane and White House reporter Matt Viser to talk about what Biden is trying to do with his last few weeks in office. They also talk about Time magazine’s person of the year interview with Trump and what two GOP Senate appointments could mean for Trump’s ability to get his agenda through Congress.
Today’s show was produced by Laura Benshoff. It was edited by Lucy Perkins and mixed by Justin Gerrish.
Subscribe to Aaron’s newsletter, The Campaign Moment, here.