US President Joe Biden officially announced his bid for re-election on Tuesday, positioning himself as the best hope to defeat a Republican opponent and secure his administration’s achievements in the 2024 elections. The announcement was made via a video titled “Freedom,” which highlights the Jan. 6 Capitol attack and an abortion rights protest. In the video, Biden promises to defend American democracy against MAGA extremists who want to cut social security and limit personal liberties. He warns voters that the question they will face in the years ahead is whether they will have more freedom or fewer rights.
Biden launched his campaign in 2019 with a warning that four more years of Donald Trump would fundamentally alter the nation’s character. His 2020 launch video did not mention Trump by name, but an image of Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene and a photo of Trump standing beside Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis were included. Biden has repeatedly contrasted himself with MAGA Republicans, pointing to their proposal of huge cuts to programs that millions of Americans depend on. However, the Republican National Committee Chair, Ronna McDaniel, denounced Biden’s announcement, saying he is “out-of-touch” and undeserving of another four years.
Biden’s re-election bid announcement comes after he consulted with family members over the holidays last year, and after he said his recent visit to Ireland reinforced his decision. However, he had resisted pressure to formalize his entry into the race, even as preparations ramped up in recent weeks. Biden’s announcement is similar to that of President Barack Obama in 2011, which featured voters across the country in a video called “It Begins With Us.”
Biden’s re-election video’s message and imagery are aimed at energizing his base while portraying him as a defender of American democracy. The President’s address to the North American Building Trade Union in Washington later Tuesday will also bolster his message of being the most pro-union administration in American history. The President’s announcement of his re-election bid has been anticipated for months, and it will be interesting to see how his campaign develops in the coming months as he seeks to retain the presidency in 2024.