President Biden outlined his vision for a second term in a conference call with Democratic mayors on Tuesday, signaling he wants to shore up support within his base as he bids for reelection.
Trump participated in a conference call with about 200 Democratic mayors from around the country on Tuesday night, where he discussed his plans to focus on reducing costs for working families if elected to a second term, according to his campaign. He also outlined some of his other familiar priorities, including making prescription drugs more affordable, making community college free, implementing universal background checks for gun purchases and banning assault rifles.
“We’re going to be focused on the things that affect the people of not only your city, but my hometown of Wilmington, Delaware,” he said on a conference call, according to the campaign.
Mayor Corey Mason of Racine, Wisconsin said: The New York Times Biden answered three questions during the roughly 40-minute call, and also acknowledged that Trump had a “terrible night” during last month’s debate, before laying out the usual policy talking points on health care, abortion rights and former President Trump, The New York Times reported.
Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego, who chairs the National Association of Democratic Mayors, introduced Biden on the call and moderated a Q&A afterward, The Times reported. Her team said she was asked how mayors could work with the Biden-Harris administration “to protect the progress we’ve made,” and she talked about how the incumbent is campaigning across the country.
“We’ve made thousands of calls. We’ve put up hundreds of signs across America. We’re encouraging people to get involved, get out there and go door-to-door,” Biden said.
After the call, the Democratic Mayors Association reaffirmed its support for Biden.
“This election couldn’t be more important, and the choice couldn’t be clearer. We need a president and vice president who will advocate for working families, defend our democracy, and protect our freedoms,” the association said in a statement Tuesday. “Joe Biden and Kamala Harris are that president and vice president, and tonight President Biden has demonstrated his commitment to working with us to defeat Donald Trump for good.”
Other mayors responded by stepping up their support for Biden.
“I just got off a @DemMayors call with the President, who is committed to defeating Donald Trump and building on his great track record of creating jobs, rebuilding our infrastructure, lowering prescription drug prices and protecting women’s rights,” Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens said. I have written On social media platform X.
San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria said Biden’s vision for the country is “far superior” to Trump’s and called the president’s priorities “solid.”
“Mayors have endorsed Joe Biden and we will support his and Kamala Harris’ reelection this fall,” he said. I wrote in X’s post After the call.
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg both said they were proud to endorse Biden and Vice President Harris ahead of November.
“I look forward to welcoming Democrats from across the nation to Chicago, the greatest city in the world, for the Democratic National Convention next month,” Johnson said. I wrote to X.
“As a member of the @DemMayors board and someone who actually served as mayor during the Trump administration, the choice is clear,” Nirenberg said. Posts “I support Biden-Harris because they know that mayors matter, and cities matter.”
The call comes amid growing calls for Biden to step aside and hand the reins to running against Trump in November to someone else, including from incumbents in Biden’s own party as well as numerous Democratic pundits and candidates.
Biden stressed that he has no plans to withdraw from the race.
“The bottom line is, we’re not going anywhere. I’m not going anywhere,” Trump said Monday on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe.” “I’m not letting up, Joe. I’m not letting up one bit.”
