Joe Biden prepares the campaign for the midterm elections by attacking the Republican voter, especially Donald Trump's supporters. The president said Thursday that the opposition to his administration is a threat to democracy.
Biden chose to launch this speech at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, a key building in the democratic construction of the country since it was the scene where the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution were signed. He did so with a gloomy scenography, wrapped in dark colors and a threatening tone that did not go unnoticed by several Republican representatives directly pointed out by the president. Missouri Senator Josh Hawley saw in Biden's speech "hateful rhetoric and threats against half the country."
Joe Biden's hate-filled and menacing rhetoric tonight was disgraceful. His behavior is increasingly erratic. And his threats against half the country - his fellow citizens - are dangerous pic.twitter.com/6OJiGN4lf5
- Josh Hawley (@HawleyMO) September 2, 2022
The president thus raised the tone against Republican voters, whom a few days ago he called "semi-fascists" in a strategy backed by the White House. Now Biden escalates these attacks by asserting that "Donald Trump and MAGA (Make America Great Again) Republicans represent an extremism that threatens the foundations of our Republic."
BIDEN: "Too much of what's happening in our country today is not normal. Donald Trump and the MAGA Republicans represent an extremism that threatens the very foundations of our Republic." pic.twitter.com/n7yx0KQUOt
- Breaking Digest (@breaking_digest) September 2, 2022
Demonization of the Republican voter
The Democratic Party's strategy for the November midterms attempts to demonize the opposition. Faced with polls that point to a reversal in the Houses, Joe Biden is using the White House and his actions as president to attack not only Donald Trump - who has not even announced his candidacy for president - but Republican voters.
Biden's polarizing language began with attacks on MAGA and has spread to all opposition to his Administration. The strategy involves instilling fear among voters by pointing out that the opposition is a danger and a threat to U.S. democracy. To this end, the Democratic Party does not hesitate to use its power in the institutions and any public appearance of its Cabinet.
Karine Jean-Pierre says that people who voted for Donald Trump are "a threat to our democracy, to our freedom, to our rights." pic.twitter.com/8e2fXP2sD7
- John Cooper (@thejcoop) August 31, 2022
For their part, the Republican Party is calling on Biden to focus on fixing the problems he has created instead of seeking to divide citizens.
"President Biden has chosen to divide, demean and belittle his fellow Americans simply because they disagree with his policies," denounced Republican Senator Kevin McCarthy.
Instead of trying to bring our country together to solve the MANY problems he has created, President Biden has chosen to divide, demean, and disparage his fellow Americans-simply because they disagree with his policies.
Mr. President: you owe millions of Americans an apology. pic.twitter.com/GPr5PEmutR
- Kevin McCarthy (@GOPLeader) September 2, 2022
Republicans are calling on Biden to respond to the real concerns of citizens, such as inflation or economic hardship, and put aside partisan attacks. Some representatives do not overlook the president's calls for "unity", which now seem to be forgotten.
Unity. pic.twitter.com/AtjFb2B0pN
- Rep. Jim Jordan (@Jim_Jordan) September 2, 2022
Democracy in danger?
Beyond partisan messages, speeches like Biden's help fuel voter fear. The latest Quinnipiac University poll revealed that 67% of citizens believe democracy is in danger, up 9 points from January.
72% of registered Democratic voters and 70% of Republicans expressed fears about the future of U.S. democracy, as did 69% of independents. Therefore, the concern extends to voters of all colors.
The fear goes further and some citizens fear a civil war. Two out of five Americans believe this is a likely scenario in the country in the next decade. Data from a survey conducted by The Economist and YouGov revealed that a majority of citizens (66%) believe that divisions have worsened since 2021 began and 62% believe that clashes will increase in the coming years.
Messages like Biden's in Philadelphia help to worsen this perception.
