Biden digital game outmatched by Trump as campaign goes virtual
WASHINGTON - US President Donald Trump's campaign boasts it needed just 24 hours to switch into virtual mode after coronavirus lockdowns ended his signature, high-energy rallies. For Mr Joe Biden, who thrives on the personal connection of retail politics, the transition is taking much longer.
The Biden camp is just now beginning to ramp up its digital efforts, with some help from former rivals. He's held virtual town halls, hosting family-oriented YouTube users and started an interactive broadcast with coronavirus frontline workers. Mr Biden's video content has reached 52 million viewers over the past month, the campaign says.
Mr Trump, harnessing the power of incumbency and without the distraction of a primary challenger, got right to it. He launched virtual rallies, some with popular surrogates like Mr Donald Trump Jr. Other virtual events cater to specific constituencies, like Women for Trump, Black Voices for Trump and Latinos for Trump. The groups have their own accounts across social media channels.
Overall, Mr Biden has spent less than his rivals on the kinds of software and data services that allow a campaign to identify supporters and connect with them virtually. Through the end of February, Federal Election Commission records show, he spent US$1.2 million . In the same time-frame, Mr Trump spent US$2.9 million.Mr Biden has 4.9 million followers on Twitter, compared to Mr Trump's 77 million and even Sanders's 11.8 million.
Mr Biden's campaign says it's upped its digital game since Mr Sanders ended his campaign, and is now getting help from his former rivals. Mr Sanders talked up Mr Biden during an Instagram live stream with pop singer Cardi B, while Ms Warren asked singer Miley Cyrus' followers on the platform to give his campaign US$5; both performers have tens of millions of followers.
Mr Biden's digital race to the White House will be a group effort, Mr Flaherty said."It's all about going everywhere, and talking to people in places where they may not expect to hear from you," he said."Making sure that the V-P gets off of his own channel and on to others is critically important in leveraging key people with followings and influences as places to go, whether political or celebrities.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Trump announces US$19 billion for US farmers hurt by coronavirusWASHINGTON/CHICAGO (REUTERS) - President Donald Trump on Friday (April 17) announced a US$19 billion (S$27 billion) relief programme to help US farmers cope with the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, including US$16 billion in direct payments to farmers and ranchers and mass purchases of produce, meat and other products.. Read more at straitstimes.com.
Read more »
Trump announces US$19b relief package for US farmers hurt by coronavirus[WASHINGTON/CHICAGO] President Donald Trump on Friday announced a US$19 billion relief programme to help US farmers cope with the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, including US$16 billion in direct payments to farmers and ranchers and mass purchases of produce, meat and other products. Read more at The Business Times.
Read more »
Biden says Trump failed to hold China accountable on COVID-19Americans are paying the price for President Donald Trump's failure to hold China to account over the coronavirus pandemic, presumed Democratic ...
Read more »
Trump calls for reopening US. What's next?President Donald Trump wants to get the hobbled US economy back on its feet, but guidelines he announced for reopening the country are notably cautious and unspecific. - No big bang - As recently as April 8, Trump was saying 'it would be nice to open with a big bang.' The national lockdown
Read more »
'The U.S. is praying for you' Melania Trump tells UK PM Johnson's pregnant fiancéeU.S First Lady Melania Trump called Carrie Symonds, the pregnant fiancée of British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, to wish the couple a speedy recovery from the coronavirus, a White House statement said on Thursday. Symonds said on April 4 she had suffered the main symptoms of the coronavirus but was
Read more »
Trump pushes early reopening but experts warn of risksWASHINGTON - President Donald Trump on Friday appeared to support protesters in some states demanding an end to restrictions designed to stop the spread of the coronavirus.. Read more at straitstimes.com.
Read more »