WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) — With questions mounting about President Joe Biden’s future in the 2024 race, First Lady Jill Biden hit the campaign trail on Monday. She visited three different states for rallies with military families and veterans.
“We need you in this election,” Dr. Biden told a crowd in Wilmington, North Carolina.
She also held events in Tampa, Florida and Columbus, Georgia.
George Washington University Political Science Professor Todd Belt says the rallies seem to all be part of a larger effort to get the Biden campaign back on track.
“It’s not uncommon for the first lady to be an important surrogate for a presidential campaign. However, three different events in three different states is a pretty heavy schedule,” Belt said.
The first lady seemingly addressed the doubts about her husband staying in the race.
“For all the talk out there about this race, Joe has made it clear that he’s all in,” Dr. Biden said.
“The president is behind and needs all the help he can get,” Belt said.
Professor Belt says veterans could be a key voting bloc for President Biden as he looks to rally support.
“I think the Biden campaign sees a real weakness for Donald Trump and an opportunity there to cash in on that in order to supplement some of the other loses that the campaign has had among other groups,” Belt said.
As Team Biden tries to change the conversation they’re focusing on the stakes of the race.
“We have to meet this moment as if our freedoms are at risk, because they are,” Dr. Biden said.
With the first lady out front the Biden campaign is showing a commitment to stay in the race.
“They’re really determined to plow forward no matter what,” Belt said.
