Biden's Economic Success Story
President Joe Biden’s economic agenda is achieving one of his principal goals: channeling more private investment into small communities that have been losing ground for years.
A new study released by Brookings Metro and the Center for Energy and Environmental Policy Research at MIT found that economically strained counties are receiving an elevated share of the private investment in new manufacturing plants tied to three major bills that Biden passed early in his presidency. These distressed counties, defined by Brookings as economically disadvantaged based on high levels of unemployment and low median income, have historically been left out of economic growth.
However, since 2021, they have received approximately $82 billion in private-sector investment from industries targeted by the Biden agenda.
The investments in distressed counties include steel plants, semiconductor-manufacturing plants, lithium processing plants, and electric-vehicle manufacturing plants. This surge of investment into smaller places marks a departure from previous patterns that concentrated investment and employment in a few "superstar" metropolitan areas. According to Mark Muro, a senior fellow at Brookings Metro, this recovery is occurring in different places and has a tilt towards distressed communities.
Michigan Voters' Sentiments
Feelings of betrayal have played a significant role in shaping voter behavior, as seen in the election of Donald Trump. Many blue-collar workers in factory towns in battleground states like Michigan, Ohio, and Pennsylvania voted for Trump in 2020 due to their belief that free trade agreements were responsible for the loss of manufacturing jobs. In an attempt to address this sentiment, Joe Biden promised to be the most pro-union president ever. As part of this commitment, he became the first sitting president to join a picket line and appointed pro-union officials to key positions in his administration.
However, the impact of Biden's pro-union stance on voters in Michigan is mixed. While some individuals appreciate Biden's support for unions, others express feelings of betrayal.
For example, Merwan Beydoun, a former crane operator at a steel mill in Dearborn, feels deeply betrayed by Biden and the Democratic Party. Beydoun, who once encouraged his conservative co-workers to vote for Democrats based on their support for unions, has stopped promoting this idea and is considering not voting in the upcoming election. The challenge for Biden lies in addressing these feelings of betrayal and winning back the support of voters in economically distressed areas.
Trump's Influence on News Narrative
Donald Trump's penchant for making controversial statements effectively redirected media attention away from the scrutinized mental acuity of Joe Biden. Last week, the media frenzy around Biden's potential memory problems was interrupted by Trump's remarks about various topics. Trump targeted Nikki Haley, suggested that he would not defend NATO allies if they don't meet defense expenditure guidelines, and engaged in a feud with Taylor Swift.
By dominating the news cycle with his provocative comments, Trump overshadowed the ongoing scrutiny of Biden's mental fitness. Journalists and pundits, who were previously focused on Biden's abilities, shifted their attention to Trump's behavior and the impact of his statements. This diversion allowed Biden some respite from negative media coverage and gave him an opportunity to refocus his messaging.
Biden vs. Trump: Competency Comparison
Joe Biden's week of media scrutiny regarding his mental acuity came to a halt as Trump's attention-seeking behavior took center stage. Prior to Trump's intervention, Biden faced increasing scrutiny and questions about his mental fitness. Despite attempts by Biden's surrogates to downplay these concerns, the conversation gained traction and became a topic of discussion on Sunday morning talk shows.
The strategic implications of Trump's intervention are noteworthy. Trump's controversial statements and behavior shifted the focus back to himself, unintentionally aiding Biden. Attacking military families, alienating NATO allies, and engaging in public feuds with popular figures like Taylor Swift are actions that may turn off swing voters in the upcoming election. Trump's self-centeredness and the need to be the center of attention could alienate moderate voters.
Instead of Biden painfully defending himself against allegations of cognitive decline, Trump's comments allowed Biden to escape the negative media cycle and regain some control over the news narrative.
However, Biden's challenges with his age and cognitive ability remain, and it will be crucial for him to address these concerns effectively moving forward.
In conclusion, while Biden accuses Trump of bowing to Putin by encouraging Russia to invade NATO allies who fail to meet their obligations, the news narrative has temporarily shifted due to Trump's diversionary tactics. Biden's economic success story and efforts to revitalize economically distressed communities have been overshadowed by the ongoing debates about his mental fitness.
Meanwhile, Michigan voters' sentiments, influenced by feelings of betrayal, continue to shape political dynamics in the state. As the 2024 election approaches, Biden and Trump will face the challenge of presenting themselves as competent leaders and winning over voters in key battleground states.