For months, a clear message resonated from the White House and Wilmington – this election is not just about candidates, it’s about the very essence of democracy. The stakes are high, and the future of America hangs in the balance.
However, the narrative took an unexpected turn as bullets pierced the air over the weekend.
The attempted assassination has added a new layer of complexity to President Biden’s argument. Former President Donald J. Trump, once seen as a catalyst for political violence, is now the target. Instantly, Republicans, including Trump’s running mate Senator J.D. Vance of Ohio, pointed fingers at Biden, attributing the attack to his fiery rhetoric.
Biden’s camp views this as a disingenuous move, particularly coming from allies of a former president who instigated the Capitol riots on January 6, 2021, and now promises clemency to convicted rioters. Yet, the sight of a blood-streaked Trump raises questions about the boundaries of political discourse in a heated campaign.
While Biden has long advocated for unity and civility, he acknowledged on Monday that his recent remark about putting Trump in a “bull’s-eye” was a misstep. Despite this, Biden remains resolute in portraying Trump as a looming threat to democracy.
During his first interview post-assassination attempt, Biden told Lester Holt of NBC News, “How do you talk about the threat to democracy, which is real, when a president says things like he says? Do you just not say anything because it may incite somebody? Look, I’m not engaged in that rhetoric. Now, my opponent is engaged in that rhetoric.”
In response to the shooting in Butler, Pa., Biden reached out to Trump, expressing relief that the injuries were not severe, and called for a reduction in the campaign’s intensity. His campaign temporarily halted television ads and the usual stream of attack emails.
