The former vice-president kicked off his campaign in the crucial state of Pennsylvania
IT IS NOT always a mistake to refight the last battle. Joe Biden, addressing the first crowd of his official campaign on April 29th, in Pittsburgh, promised to overcome the mistakes made by the Democrats in 2016. Three years ago his party failed to fire up blue-collar workers, especially in the Midwest.
Nothing in Mr Biden’s cautious speech in Pittsburgh was surprising, including his failure to mention immigration . He has borrowed a slogan—“the dignity of work”—that was previously deployed this year to good effect by another Midwestern presidential-aspirant, Sherrod Brown. In early March Mr Brown, a 66-year-old senator from Ohio, said he would not enter the race. That disappointed many who saw him as an affable younger version of 76-year-old Mr Biden.
What does the start of Mr Biden’s campaign mean for his Democratic rivals? Polls suggest he is the solid frontrunner, with 25% or more support in a crowded field. After eight years as vice-president to Barack Obama, who remains enormously popular, Mr Biden starts with a big advantage. Most people already know who he is. Last week he raised more money—$6.3m—in the first 24 hours of his campaign than any other candidate had.
Mr Biden’s greatest strength is his ability to be a voice for the sort of angry, blue-collar worker who drifted away from the Democrats in 2016, while also promising to be a more civil, hopeful and upbeat sort of leader. More than once during his speech he emphasised his optimism, telling voters to choose “hope over fear” and “truth over lies”.
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