Josh Kraushaar: Is Biden blowing a golden opportunity?

TL;DR

Biden is blowing a golden political opportunity by failing to celebrate a bipartisan win on infrastructure and address rising crime effectively. Trump continues to escalate the "big lie" and remains a powerful force within the Republican party.

Transcript

welcome to the bulwark podcast and happy monday i'm charlie sykes we've managed to get through a weekend where the former president had a rally in ohio we're not going to spend a huge amount of time talking about that the infrastructure deal is apparently coming back from uh the the dead um in case you missed it over the weekend also i had a an acc... Read More

Key Insights

• 🌥️ Biden's infrastructure bill hangs in the balance as his tying it to a larger spending package risks diminishing support from both Republicans and moderate Democrats.
• 🥳 Trump's power within the Republican party remains strong, as seen in his endorsements and rally in Ohio, although some polls suggest a shift with more Republicans identifying primarily with the party rather than with Trump.
• 😘 Crime and rising violence present a challenge for Biden, as his recent speech did not effectively address the core issues at hand nor challenge the progressive wing of his party.

Questions & Answers

Q: How does Trump's influence continue to impact the Republican party?

Trump's endorsement of longshot candidates and his ability to rally his base still carries weight within the party, as seen in his endorsement of Max Miller in Ohio and a relatively unknown candidate in the North Carolina Senate race.

Q: What factors contributed to Eric Adams' success in the NYC mayoral race?

Adams' ability to speak uncomfortable truths about rising crime and his focus on public safety resonated with moderate and diverse voters, leading to his victory across all boroughs except Manhattan.

Q: How does Biden's speech on crime differ from Eric Adams' approach?

Biden's speech lacked a strong focus on the core issues driving crime rates, including demoralized police forces and the need for appropriate criminal justice reforms. Adams' emphasis on public safety and support for the police appealed to a broader base.

Q: Will ongoing criminal investigations against Trump have any significant impact on his support base?

Trump's supporters view the legal system as part of the "deep state," making any legal proceedings against him seen as illegitimate. The investigations are unlikely to change his core base of support.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Biden had the chance to celebrate a bipartisan win on infrastructure but instead tied the bill to a larger social welfare package, diminishing the bipartisan support.

• Trump's continued push of the "big lie" and his influence within the Republican party is evident in his rally in Ohio and endorsements in key races.

• Biden's speech on crime failed to address the core issues and did not challenge the progressive wing of his party, unlike Eric Adams' success in the NYC mayoral race.