Biden Alleges MAGA Republicans Threaten US Democracy

Facts

• In a prime-time speech in Philadelphia on Thurs., US Pres. Biden said former Pres. Trump and MAGA Republicans - those supportive of Trump's 2016 Make America Great Again agenda - pose a "clear and present danger" to American Democracy.
• Biden urged Americans to counter what he claims are dark forces within the GOP that are determined to take the US "backwards to an America where there is no right to choose, no right to privacy, no right to contraception, no right to marry who you love."
• In his speech - which comes eight weeks before the midterm elections - Biden emphasized he doesn't take issue with those who disagree with him or come from another political party, but rather with those who challenge the principles the country was founded on.
• The focus on threats to democracy is the same message Biden used when he won the presidential election in 2020.
• Democrats have been trailing Republicans in the polls for most of the year, with Pres. Biden suffering low approval ratings because of voter dissatisfaction, high inflation, and soaring oil prices.
• According to recent polls, however, a majority of Americans are concerned about the state of democracy – an unusual development, since issues like the economy usually dominate voters' concerns.

Sources: CNBC, New York Times, FT, NPR Online News, and Washington Post.

Narratives

• Republican narrative, as provided by Daily Wire. In a feigned attempt to unite the country, Biden has demonized half the population and created a deeper divide between the two political sides. Rather than fabricating so-called threats, he should focus on the crises that are ongoing: catastrophic foreign policy decisions, extreme gas prices, and soaring inflation.
• Democratic narrative, as provided by Daily Kos. The only thing offensive about Biden's speech was the Republicans' outraged reaction, which is disingenuous considering they themselves have criticized Trump's agenda in the past. Biden rightly spoke up for democracy, free and fair elections, and the need to fight the fascist tendencies of a small portion of the population.