President Biden is making a strong push to appeal to union workers by contrasting himself with former President Trump. In a recent speech at the North America’s Building Trade Union (NABTU) National Legislative Conference, Biden emphasized his working-class roots and criticized Trump for looking down on American union workers.
Biden highlighted the difference between “Scranton values” and “Mar-a-Lago values,” painting Trump as a wealthy elitist who inherited his wealth and lacks empathy for working-class Americans. He also took a jab at Trump’s reality show, “The Apprentice,” where he famously fired contestants.
The president’s efforts to court union workers come as he seeks to rebuild the coalition that helped him win the White House in 2020. Biden has been endorsed by major union groups like the United Auto Workers and the United Steelworkers, and he often refers to himself as “Middle Class Joe” to emphasize his connection to working-class Americans.
Despite Biden’s efforts, recent polling shows Trump ahead of him in key battleground states with a large union presence. Trump’s lead in states like Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, and Michigan poses a challenge for Biden as he looks ahead to the 2024 election.
Overall, Biden’s strategy of appealing to union workers by contrasting himself with Trump and emphasizing his working-class background is a key part of his campaign strategy as he seeks to secure support from this critical voting bloc.