The first lady, the vice president and the press secretary of the White House all agree: President Joe Biden plans to run for re-election in 2024.
But with those closest to him sending out feelers for a campaign and Biden himself pitching the idea of an 80-year run, he has yet to officially announce his candidacy, leaving opponents crying foul.
The Committee to Defeat the President, a conservative political action committee, has written to the Federal Election Commission asking it to enforce laws requiring candidates to declare their candidacy and disclose fundraising.
It says the comments, including the White House toast to 2024 and an interview with Kamala Harris on CNN, make it clear that Biden is running.
“All of these statements are further, additional support for Biden being a 2024 presidential candidate, requiring specific filings and amendments — filings and amendments that he has still not filed,” wrote Dan Backer, the group’s counsel, in a letter. to the VEC.
In a speech Wednesday, President Joe Biden made it clear that his work is not yet done. Opponents say the hints make it clear he’s due to run in 2024 and he should make an official statement
The Committee to Defeat the President, a conservative political action committee, has written to the Federal Elections Commission demanding that it enforce laws requiring candidates to declare themselves as candidates and make fundraising public
After months of hints and winks, the clearest indication yet that Biden will run again came last week from his wife.
“How many times does he have to say it before you believe it?” the first lady told the Associated Press in Nairobi at the end of her five-day trip to Africa.
Biden aides say any announcement will likely come next month, once the fundraising’s first quarter ends.
“He says he’s not done yet,” Jill added in the interview. He didn’t finish what he started. And that’s what’s important.’
Her comments add to the growing chorus that Biden intends to lead, even though he would be 86 when a second term expires.
Many Democrats have questioned whether that is wise and said they would like to run someone from a younger generation as well. Biden’s closest associates see it differently.
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre has said repeatedly that he intends to run if asked the question at her regular daily briefing.
Biden also toasted his 2024 presidential campaign with President Emmanuel Macron of France at a White House state dinner after Jill Biden told Mr. Macron that “she and her husband are ready for his re-election campaign,” the complaint adds, referring to the visit of the French president in December.
First Lady Jill Biden gave the clearest signal yet during a visit to Kenya that her husband will run for office in 2024: “How many times does he have to say it before you believe it?”
Vice President Kamala Harris and White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre have also both said Biden plans to rejoin in 2024.
Plus, it references a Harris CNN interview from last year when she said, “Joe Biden is running for re-election and I will be his ticket buddy. . . . Point. That is it.’
That, the group says, adds up to election campaign spending.
Vice President Harris’ appearance at the CNN exclusive further constitutes an expenditure of funds (i.e., travel, hair, makeup, clothing) to convey a clear message to the general public about President Biden’s candidacy at the 2024 election,” Backer said in his letter.
Biden himself has repeatedly said he intends to run for re-election and has declined questions about his age, but has yet to make a formal statement.
“There are too many other things we have to finish at short notice before I start a campaign,” he recently told ABC’s David Muir at the White House.
On Wednesday, he sat with Democrats in Baltimore to develop a messaging strategy to keep the White House and win it back in 2024.
In a speech, he once again made it clear that his job was not yet done.
“And, folks, the bottom line is this: our plan is working,” he said.
“It makes the economy grow. It reduces the deficiency. It is fiscally responsible.
‘But we have more to do. We’ve made a lot of progress, but families across the country are just starting to breathe a little easier, as my dad would say. Just a little easier.
“We just have to keep going, folks.”
The complaint also points out that he has the device ready to launch for a run.
“In addition, while Biden’s campaign committee, Biden for President (the ‘Campaign’) made a purely technical amendment to FEC Form 1 on August 30, 2022, the Campaign has no fault and thus no purpose of existence other than an authorized candidate’s campaign committee.” , it says.
“The campaign’s existence further supports the fact that Biden is a 2024 presidential candidate.”
The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
