The Biden campaign, following two high-profile fundraisers, is planning a major ad buy aimed at swing states. The first fundraiser in New York City raised $26 million, and the second in Los Angeles brought in $28 million. However, these amounts are dwarfed by Donald Trump’s recent fundraising efforts, which saw him amass $53 million within 24 hours of a verdict in New York City, and over $420 million since the verdict.
Despite once boasting a cash advantage, the Biden campaign now finds itself significantly outmatched. Most of the funds raised in New York and Los Angeles are being directed towards a $50 million ad campaign in June. The ads will focus on Trump’s recent criminal conviction, targeting key demographics such as Black, Hispanic, and Asian American voters.
Critics argue that this strategy is a waste of money, as public interest in the trials appears minimal. Many view the trials as politically motivated, and they have not significantly impacted public opinion in favor of Biden. Pollster Frank Luntz recently noted that the verdict “is not going to significantly alter the results at this moment,” suggesting that presidential debates will have a greater impact.
The Biden campaign’s focus on attacking Trump, rather than highlighting Biden’s own achievements, is also being questioned. The new ad claims that Biden has lowered healthcare costs and made corporations pay their fair share, but these messages may not resonate with voters who are experiencing rising costs. Critics point out that the ad fails to provide evidence or citations for these claims, and it does not offer new messaging beyond what Biden has already used on the campaign trail.
Michael Tyler, communications director for Biden-Harris 2024, stated that as voters consider the prospect of Trump returning to the White House, they will increasingly support Biden. However, despite running TV ads since Labor Day, the Biden campaign has not seen significant shifts in public perception of the candidates or the race.
In the end, the problem with Biden’s strategy may lie in its reliance on attacking Trump instead of promoting his own record. With a record that some argue has little to boast about, the campaign’s negative approach might not yield the desired results. The ad campaign’s effectiveness remains to be seen, but critics are skeptical that it will change many minds.
