Staff Reports
The political theater continues as President Biden met with the executive council of the AFL-CIO, America’s largest federation of trade unions. Desperate times call for desperate measures, as the 81-year-old Democrat struggles to fend off rising calls to step aside for the 2024 campaign. Amid dwindling support, Biden lavished praise on the union leadership, dubbing them his “domestic NATO”—because nothing says secure leadership like a confused metaphor.
Later, in what can only be described as a comedic highlight, Biden responded to a reporter’s question about George Clooney’s opinion piece urging him to leave the race with a bizarre chant of “AFL-CIO!” before pumping his fists like a high school cheerleader. This erratic behavior follows his pitiful debate performance against Donald Trump, raising serious concerns about his competency and ability to campaign against a vibrant opponent.
‘My domestic NATO’: Biden looks to union leaders for support amid growing calls to step asidehttps://t.co/hsws8fPuOb pic.twitter.com/1n1O4jJG5l
— The Washington Times (@WashTimes) July 11, 2024
Biden’s reunion with union officials coincided with the NATO summit in Washington, adding another layer of confusion to his day. The President, free of a teleprompter, rambled on, thanking union leaders and outlining his plans for the future. In a scene reminiscent of a high school reunion, AFL-CIO president Liz Shuler gushed over Biden, telling him he had the union’s full support. This lovefest calls into question whether these union leaders are more interested in preserving their cushy relationship with Biden rather than addressing the genuine concerns of their members.
Despite the AFL-CIO’s warm words, there are signs of underlying discord. One union leader pushed Biden to show more fight, while another lambasted Democrats urging Biden to retire, accusing them of weakness. Even United Auto Workers President Shawn Fain was snubbed, denied the chance to question Biden’s team about their plans to combat Trump—a sobering indicator of the administration’s selective hearing.
Though the unions continue to back Biden for now, their statements are cautiously worded, suggesting a readiness to pivot should Biden falter further. The AFL-CIO’s unanimous vote to “reaffirm” support for the Biden-Harris administration is more about hedging bets than full-hearted endorsement. Yet some leaders remain steadfast in their loyalty, touting Biden’s aid to union workers. They conveniently gloss over how Trump’s policies, like making tips tax-free, could offer more tangible benefits to these working folks.
The elephant in the room is Biden’s age and health, clearly affecting his campaign momentum. With one-on-one conversations taking precedence over public debates, union leaders aim to reassure members that Biden’s agenda serves them well, contrasting it with Trump’s policies. However, the AFL-CIO’s 42 complaints about Trump’s presidency seem less about worker welfare and more about preserving their political alliances.
Interestingly, Trump isn’t standing idle. He’s wooing union members, spotlighting his history of employing thousands of Teamsters and framing himself as a blue-collar hero. Teamsters president Sean O’Brien’s forthcoming speech at the Republican National Convention hints that Trump’s appeal to union workers could be stronger than many Democrat strategists anticipate.
In the end, Biden’s meeting with the AFL-CIO is a high-stakes gamble, testing whether his policies and diplomatic reassurance can outweigh the glaring issues of his age and debate performances. While unions cling to Biden for now, the debate about his viability is far from over, leaving room for Trump to swoop in and claim the support of American workers.
