In an unprecedented show of unity and political might, President Joe Biden, alongside former Presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton, convened in New York City for a fundraiser that amassed a staggering $25 million. This historic gathering aims to bolster Biden’s bid for re-election and form a Democratic bulwark against the potential return of Donald Trump to the White House.
The star-studded event, held at the iconic Radio City Music Hall, showcased an unparalleled Democratic alliance, with late-night host Stephen Colbert moderating a conversation among the presidents. The evening was further electrified by performances from A-list celebrities, including Queen Latifah, Lizzo, and Ben Platt, with Mindy Kaling presiding as the master of ceremonies.
Obama, who has ramped up his involvement in Biden’s campaign, brings a particularly potent draw given his recent White House visit and calls with Biden, reflecting an urgent push to avert Trump’s comeback. “I think they have to be careful about where they use the former president,” Panetta said on “CNN News Central” on Thursday. “I would probably wait until we get closer to the convention and to the election and the fall. But I think he can be a tremendous asset in terms of reaching not just the average American but obviously, the Latinos, the young people, the minorities that are going to be critical to Joe Biden if he is going to win this election.” Notably, Obama’s collaboration on health care remains a cornerstone of his and Biden’s shared policy successes.
Clinton’s rapport with Biden spans decades, with Biden having played an instrumental role in the confirmation of Clinton’s Supreme Court nominee, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and standing by Clinton during the fallout of his impeachment. Their combined political savvy is hoped to energize the electorate and convey Biden’s achievements, appealing to key demographic groups.
This Democratic trifecta stands in sharp contrast to the GOP’s fractured stance, with Trump’s estrangement from other Republican leaders, including George W. Bush and Mike Pence, marking a lonely path for his political ambitions. Biden’s campaign co-chair Jeffrey Katzenberg touted the fundraising feat, asserting, “Unlike our opponent, every dollar we’re raising is going to reach the voters who will decide this election.”
While the fundraiser demonstrated an overwhelming show of support for Biden, it also raised questions regarding the former presidents’ enduring political clout. Despite a landscape that has evolved since Obama and Clinton’s terms, both continue to wield considerable sway within the Democratic Party, particularly among African American voters and other key constituencies.
Relevant articles:
– Three presidents and one mission: Beat Trump
– Biden leans on his Democratic predecessors as Trump remains isolated from other Republican leaders, The Associated Press, Wed, 27 Mar 2024 20:08:00 GMT
– Election 2024 latest news Biden poised to raise $25 million at fundraiser with Obama, Clinton, The Washington Post, Thu, 28 Mar 2024 11:33:24 GMT
– Biden fundraiser in NYC with Obama and Clinton nets a whopping $25M, campaign says. It’s a record, Yahoo News Canada, Thu, 28 Mar 2024 09:27:15 GMT