US President Joe Biden on Thursday touted his infrastructure investment plan during a visit in support of candidate John Fetterman in Pennsylvania, where Democrats and Republicans are in a tug of war for a senator seat that could make tilt the majority in the Upper House.
Joe Biden first went to Pittsburgh, where he spoke in front of a bridge being repaired which he wants to make a symbol of the success of his program.
He was then expected in Philadelphia for a fundraiser with Mr. Fetterman, who hopes to join the Senate after the November elections.
The plan Democrats managed to push through a divided Congress is “the most significant investment” in American history, the president said near the Fern Hollow Bridge, which collapsed in January.
“There’s no better place to talk about rebuilding America’s backbone, the middle class,” he added. I want you to feel what I feel: pride, pride in what we can do when we work together. »
A speech aimed at rallying the Democrats, three weeks before the midterm elections.
Analysts consider Pennsylvania to be among the few key states Democrats need to win to stay in control of the Senate after Nov. 8. In the House of Representatives, the fight promises to be even more difficult.
Tight race
John Fetterman, a colossus known for his tattoos and his love of shorts and hoodies, is at the center of a tightening race against superstar Republican and surgeon Mehmet Oz.
His once-comfortable lead has shrunk from 11 points in mid-September to around 5 points in the latest polls.
Mr. Fetterman had a stroke in May which he claims to be recovering from, but which prevented him from campaigning in public for several weeks.
And a few days before a planned debate between the two candidates, his opponents have redoubled their criticisms and questioned his abilities.
So far, Joe Biden’s attempts to help his party have had limited effect — his unpopularity doesn’t make his job any easier. In recent speeches, he promised to protect the right to abortion and showed his willingness to tackle the high price of gasoline.
But a few weeks before the election, Americans seem to be leaning in favor of the Republican message.
Difficult elections
According to a recent survey by the Siena Institute and the New York Times26% of the population cited the economy as their main concern, and 18%, inflation.
Files on which the president will not be able to pose an immediate solution.
In a speech on Tuesday, Joe Biden capitalized on the outrage sparked by the Supreme Court’s flip-flop on abortion in June to garner votes left and center.
Predicting a revolt of female voters that would be expressed at the ballot box, the Democrat said that Republicans ” [n’avaient] haven’t seen anything yet.”
The poll goes against the hopes of Joe Biden: only 5% of respondents said that abortion was their first concern.
Midterm elections are traditionally difficult for the ruling party, so a heavy defeat for the Democrats would not be surprising.
The experts of the specialized newsletter Sabato’s Crystal Ballfrom the University of Virginia, said on Wednesday that the president’s party seemed to be coming back to reality, after wild hopes of success.
“It’s just hard to thrive for a party with an unpopular president, struggling with strong citizen concerns about things like the economy and inflation. »