Biden’s Limited Role in Campaign Season Amid Health Struggles

Former President Joe Biden has been noticeably absent from the campaign trail as Democrats strive to regain control of the House and Senate in the upcoming November elections. Former President Barack Obama and former Vice President Kamala Harris have taken active roles to support Democratic candidates.

Biden, who is 83 years old, has maintained a limited public schedule due to advanced metastatic prostate cancer. Despite this, he has endorsed candidates and helped raise funds for Democrats, as noted by a source within his political circle. The former president’s political engagements have been sparse this year.

The contrast is clear as Election Day approaches, with Obama creating advertisements for Senate and gubernatorial candidates, assisting with fundraising, and preparing for the campaign trail during the final weeks. Harris, slated to be the Democrats’ 2024 presidential nominee, has been campaigning in key states, including a stop in Michigan with Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed.

Michael Ceraso, a longtime Democratic strategist, expressed concern among some party elites that Biden might be a liability if involved in any public opportunities.

Maria Cardona, another Democratic strategist, countered this view, asserting that a significant portion of Americans still hold Biden in high regard.

Biden has participated in a few political events this year. In February, he attended a reception celebrating his 2020 South Carolina primary victory, a pivotal moment in his journey to the Democratic nomination and presidency. In June, he spoke at a Maryland Democratic Party event.

Biden’s endorsements in Democratic primaries have included support for former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, who won the Georgia Democratic gubernatorial nomination. He also backed Dan Koh, a former administration member, in Massachusetts’ 6th Congressional District.

Biden continues to emphasize the importance of democracy. He stated, “American democracy begins and ends at the ballot box,” during a recent social media post and as he voted in Delaware’s primary.

Despite his health struggles, Biden remains a figure of comparison with former President Donald Trump, who defeated Biden in a re-election bid following a challenging debate in the 2024 rematch.

Economic issues, such as high gas prices, have led Republicans to point fingers at Biden, though polls show many Americans hold Trump accountable. Biden left office with low approval ratings, dealing with inflation and foreign policy challenges.

Post-presidency, Biden received a 71% favorable rating among Democrats in a CNN poll, though this was 25 points lower than Obama’s.

Some Democrats continue to blame Biden for Trump’s 2024 victory, suggesting Biden did not exit the race timely enough for Harris to succeed.

Ceraso referenced the 2024 election, noting that Biden left a “bad taste with some Democrats,” particularly among elite and fundraising groups. Cardona, a member of the Democratic National Committee, stated that Biden’s health is limiting requests for him to campaign.

A Biden spokesman was contacted for comment but did not respond before the publication of this story.