Fourth speech by the president focusing on democracy to boost his reelection bid.
President Joe Biden delivered a speech about democracy on Sept. 28 in Arizona, a key battleground state for the 2024 election. He took aim at his predecessor, President Donald Trump, and expressed concerns about a “dangerous” trend unfolding in the United States.
“As I’ve always been clear, democracy is not a partisan issue. It’s an American issue,” President Biden said.
“But there is something dangerous happening in America. There is an extremist movement that does not share the basic beliefs of our democracy. The MAGA Movement.”
According to the White House, this is the fourth speech by the president focused on democracy.
President Biden began his speech by honoring the legacy of his late friend and colleague Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) and announcing the creation of the McCain Library.
Mr. McCain’s family and Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs, a Democrat, were among those in attendance during his speech in Tempe, Arizona.
“I have come to honor the McCain Institute and Library because they are home to a proud Republican who put country first,” President Biden said.
“Not every Republican—not even the majority of Republicans—adhere to the extremist MAGA ideology. I know because I’ve been able to work with Republicans my whole career.
“But there is no question that today’s Republican Party is driven and intimidated by MAGA extremists.”
The president delivered his speech a day after the second Republican debate in California, during which the candidates displayed no signs of narrowing the gap with former President Trump, the Republican frontrunner for 2024.
On Sept. 28, the House Oversight Committee held the first hearing of its impeachment inquiry into President Biden.
It focused on President Biden’s potential involvement in his son’s business dealings during his tenure as vice president under President Barack Obama.
The challenges don’t end there for the 46th president. President Biden faces continued low approval ratings as the majority of Americans are unhappy with his handling of the economy.
In a mid-September NBC News poll, independent voters gave President Biden a dismal 36 percent approval rating.
By Emel Akan
