Staff Reports
President Joe Biden is dusting off his speaking notes and heading to the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute’s 47th annual Awards Gala, set to grace the stage at the oh-so-precise hour of 8:45 p.m. After a summer spent largely in the shadows, Biden is reemerging to remind everyone that he still exists and has some support—at least for Vice President Kamala Harris, whom he has endorsed as his heir apparent.
Since his dramatic exit from the presidential race on July 21, Biden has gone on a bit of a political sabbatical. It seems the Democratic leadership decided that a campaign centered around a candidate with a ballooning approval rating of 39% wasn’t their best move. Instead, they’ve opted to focus on vouching for Harris while hoping the American public forgets about the President’s less-than-stellar performance in the spotlight. The political strategy appears clear: if you can’t win with your own candidate, pump up the one who’s supposed to pick up the pieces once you bow out.
Biden at Congressional Hispanic Caucus institute gala says if you want to lower the temperature stop saying immigrants are poisoning the blood of the country — “They are the blood of the country!” pic.twitter.com/2p7Hc82LHr
— Adrian Carrasquillo (@Carrasquillo) September 20, 2024
Hispanics are still a critical voting bloc for the Democratic Party; this much is true. Despite their recent migration toward more conservative ideologies, they remain predominantly Democratic voters. In this light, Biden’s appearance at the gala isn’t just a routine event; it’s a desperate attempt to maintain a grip on the demographic as elections loom. There’s a certain irony in watching a President who struggled to find a coherent stance on immigration and border security now make a play for votes where those very issues hit close to home.
As the gala unfolds, the question remains whether Biden’s efforts will resonate with the Hispanic community. There’s a growing sentiment among many in this demographic that the Democratic Party has taken their support for granted, making Biden’s mission seemingly like a last-ditch effort to win over hearts—and possibly a few votes—before heading back into the political abyss. His past comments and policies toward immigration might not bode well in winning back any disenchanted voters.
In the end, it remains to be seen if a late-night speech can revive Biden’s waning political capital or if it’ll simply serve as another moment of awkwardness in an already strained presidency. The gala could prove to be an enlightening event, showcasing just how far Biden must go to connect with a group that has gradually been leaning toward more conservative values. Let the political games begin.
