A day after delivering a spirited State of the Union address before a divided U.S. Congress, President Joe Biden turned his focus to his 2024 presidential campaign, stopping in the Philadelphia suburbs to rally support.
Speaking at a campaign event at Strath Haven Middle School in Delaware County on Friday afternoon, the Democratic president emphasized the progress made since he took office and highlighted the stakes of the upcoming election.
“In my address, I spoke about how far we’ve come since we took office. I talked about how much is at stake. Folks: Our freedoms really are on the ballot this November,” Biden said.
Addressing a crowd of supporters, Biden touted his administration’s achievements, citing a reduction in inflation and a significant decrease in credit card late fees from $32 to $8.
“Our economy is the envy of the world. 15 million new jobs in just three years, that’s a record in American history. Unemployment at a 50-year low. 800,000 new manufacturing jobs and counting,” he stated.
Earlier in the day, President Biden, along with First Lady Dr. Jill Biden and their entourage, arrived at Philadelphia International Airport before heading to the Philadelphia suburbs.
Before the campaign event, the president and first lady visited a home in Swarthmore, where they met with the owners of 360 Market and Cafe.
Biden’s visit to the Philadelphia suburbs signals a strategic move in his 2024 reelection campaign, which is expected to pit him against former President Donald Trump once again.
The region, including Philadelphia, could play a crucial role in determining the outcome of Pennsylvania, a swing state, in the general election.
Despite facing challenges such as lackluster approval ratings and concerns about his political and physical health within his own party, the 81-year-old president delivered a passionate and politically charged address to Congress on Thursday.
While Biden did not mention Trump by name, he took several veiled shots at the former president, setting the stage for what is expected to be a contentious election campaign.