Unlike his likely November opponent, former vice president Joe Biden will be hosting no in-person campaign rallies. Incumbent Donald Trump held a rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma on June 20, marking his return to the campaign trail. However, some criticized the president for what was perceived as a quick return to large gatherings.
The novel coronavirus pandemic has tapered off to smaller case numbers in some regions of the country. Other regions, however, are now seeing surging cases. The South, and parts of the West, are now grappling with soaring case numbers. Thankfully, critical cases have remained low compared to March and April’s numbers. However, the upward trend of the virus has many medical experts concerned.
Biden’s campaign seems to have decided on a minimalistic plan for November. Due to Biden’s age, the candidate has largely avoided public appearances since the start of the pandemic. This has coincided with his November opponent sliding in the polls due to his handling of the virus. At times, Trump has tailed Biden in national polls by some 14 points.
Trump, seemingly aware of the dangers posed by large gatherings, announced on Tuesday that he was canceling an upcoming event in Alabama. This was unusual, as Trump is typically hesitant to cancel events or admit when he was mistaken. A cancelation of a major event by Trump’s campaign should speak to the severity of the situation.
Trump’s combative approach to the virus has not earned him any new support. Older voters, who could already be struggling with issues like AFib strokes, now must contend with the reality of a pandemic. This has eroded support among older voters for Trump.
Biden has soared in national polls during the twin crises of pandemic and civil unrest. His stance on both matters has aligned him much more with the general consensus in the US. Trump, on the other hand, has taken a combative stance on both the virus and Black Lives Matter protests.
Top strategists have noted that Biden’s campaign has been more successful the quieter he has been. Both Biden and Trump are prone to gaffs and unusual, rambling speech. Some speculate about Biden’s relative quiet in recent months. They think he wants Trump to simply burn off any goodwill among swing voters.
During remarks on Tuesday in Wilmington, Delaware, Biden announced his campaign’s plans to not hold any rallies. He reiterated his view on the current pandemic situation. “Wear a mask. It’s not just about you,” Biden told viewers during the speech. “It’s about your family,” he went on. Continuing, he added “It’s about your neighbors. It’s about your colleagues.
Finally, Biden noted “It’s about keeping other people safe.”
