As the prospect of a 2024 rematch between Joe Biden and Donald Trump looms, a division has emerged among Democrats over the campaign’s organizing strategy. Some veterans from Barack Obama’s 2012 reelection campaign express concerns that Biden’s team has overlooked key lessons from the masterclass in political organizing conducted by Obama. The debate revolves around whether Biden’s reelection operation is sufficiently robust and whether the Biden campaign has embraced the lessons of Obama’s sophisticated ground game.
Concerns Over Biden’s Campaign Structure
Critics argue that Biden’s 2020 pandemic campaign, primarily run from his Delaware home, left the president and his team unfamiliar with the complexities of a national ground game. Some worry that the campaign lacks organizational strength, citing delays in announcing staff in crucial battleground states. There are concerns that Biden’s approach, relying heavily on the Democratic National Committee (DNC) rather than building a separate entity akin to Obama’s Organizing for America, may hinder the campaign’s effectiveness.
Obama’s Organizational Legacy
Obama’s 2012 campaign is often hailed as a model for political organizing, emphasizing analytics and a sophisticated field operation. The deployment of key White House advisers to the campaign is seen as a critical move that Biden should emulate, according to some Obama veterans. The friction reflects broader tensions between the technocratic approach of Obama’s campaign and Biden’s more instinct-driven, relationship-focused strategy.
Biden’s Approach and Defense
Biden, known for his reliance on instincts and personal connections, has historically worked within the Democratic Party framework, relying on DNC support. His allies defend his approach, highlighting Biden’s legislative successes, down-to-earth appeal, and the effective strategy that secured his 2020 victory. Biden’s team emphasizes that it has been building up in battleground states and points to the success of the DNC-centric approach in the 2022 midterm elections.
The Tension Between Two Approaches
The tension between the Obama and Biden approaches underscores a fundamental difference in political identities. While Obama is viewed as a technocrat with a data-driven strategy, Biden is seen as a more instinctual and relationship-focused politician. The clash in organizing philosophies raises questions about the effectiveness of Biden’s campaign structure and whether it can replicate the achievements of 2020 in a different electoral landscape.
Looking Ahead and Biden’s Defense
Biden’s camp argues that the concerns are overstated, pointing to the ongoing staffing in battleground states and the upcoming activation of campaign strategies. Biden’s team believes it has time before voters fully engage with the general election, and the focus is on fine-tuning ground strategies through pilot programs in select states. The debate reflects the challenge of balancing different organizing philosophies within the Democratic Party as it prepares for a high-stakes election.
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