Biden: 2024 Election Is About The Fight For Democracy
Jan 5, 2024
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President Biden calls out former President Trump for threatening American democracy in the 2024 election. Analysis on the fight for democracy and protecting American norms. Discussion on upcoming Senate races and challenges faced by Democrats. Unusual trend of New Year's Eve weddings. Conversation about 'The Crown' finale and TV show distractions. Speakers share experiences as mystery readers in a kindergarten class.
President Biden framed the upcoming 2024 election as an inflection point for American democracy, emphasizing the need to defend and protect democratic values.
Republicans' changing narrative on the January 6th attack poses challenges for Democrats in framing the importance of the event and defending democracy in upcoming elections.
Deep dives
Biden's Speech on Preserving Democracy
President Biden delivered a speech near Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, commemorating the three-year anniversary of the January 6th attack on the Capitol. He framed the upcoming 2024 election as an inflection point for American democracy, emphasizing the need to defend and protect democratic values. Biden's speech focused on the importance of preserving the powers of the presidency and avoiding an emboldened executive. There is concern that some Americans are forgetting or diminishing the role of Donald Trump in the insurrection, influencing Biden's efforts to fight this narrative.
Republicans' Changing Narrative on January 6th
Republicans' initial condemnation of the January 6th attack has evolved into downplaying its severity. Some Republicans have suggested that the attack was a normal tourist visit, while others have pushed false claims that the FBI orchestrated the insurrection. The House Select January 6th Committee's efforts to tell their part of the story have been overshadowed by Republican disinformation. The changing Republican narrative poses challenges for Democrats in framing the importance of January 6th and defending democracy as a central theme in the upcoming elections.
Democrats' Uphill Battle in the 2024 Elections
Democrats face challenges in maintaining their narrow majority in the Senate. Incumbent Democratic senators in Ohio and Montana are running for re-election in states where the Republican nominee, likely Donald Trump, is expected to win. Split-ticket voting, where voters support a Democrat for Senate and Trump for president, is becoming increasingly less common. Democrats feel cautiously optimistic about reclaiming the Senate majority, but the math favors a divided government. The choice of Republican candidates and their alignment with Trump's claims about the election will significantly impact the outcome of these races.
President Biden used his first campaign event of 2024 to call out his likely opponent, former President Donald Trump, for the threat he poses to American democracy, calling the issue a 'sacred cause' for the race ahead.
Plus, uphill climbs in congressional races this year, and Can't Let It Go.
This episode: political correspondents Ashley Lopez & Susan Davis, and congressional correspondent Claudia Grisales.
This episode was edited by Erica Morrison. It was produced by Jeongyoon Han and Casey Morell. Our executive producer is Muthoni Muturi.
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