Biden Campaign’s Expensive Ad Buy Faces Skepticism

The Biden campaign is set to launch a $50 million ad campaign in June, targeting swing states with a focus on Donald Trump’s criminal conviction. This decision follows two major fundraisers, one in New York City raising $26 million and another in Los Angeles raising $28 million. Despite these substantial amounts, they fall short compared to Trump’s fundraising achievements, including $53 million raised within 24 hours after a New York City verdict and over $420 million in total since then.

The Biden campaign, which once enjoyed a financial edge, is now struggling to compete with Trump’s fundraising prowess. The planned ad buy will aim at Black, Hispanic, and Asian American voters, groups Biden has had difficulty securing. However, the strategy has drawn criticism for potentially wasting funds on a theme that may not resonate with the electorate.

Pollster Frank Luntz recently commented that the verdict “is not going to significantly alter the results at this moment,” suggesting that the debates will be more crucial. Critics argue that focusing on Trump’s legal issues, which many see as politically motivated, may not sway voters. Instead, the campaign’s emphasis on Trump’s character over Biden’s accomplishments could be a misstep.

The new ad claims Biden has lowered healthcare costs and made corporations pay their fair share, yet it lacks supporting evidence. With many voters facing rising costs, these claims may fall flat. The campaign’s reliance on recycled messages and the absence of fresh, compelling content could limit its effectiveness.

Michael Tyler, communications director for Biden-Harris 2024, believes that as voters weigh the possibility of Trump returning to power, they will lean towards Biden. However, despite aggressive advertising efforts since Labor Day, the campaign has not seen significant changes in public opinion.

The decision to allocate $50 million to an ad campaign centered on Trump’s conviction, rather than highlighting Biden’s record, is seen by some as a strategic error. Critics suggest that the approach may not be effective in shifting voter sentiment, as many have already formed their views. The ad campaign’s true impact will become clearer as the election season progresses, but skepticism about its potential effectiveness is mounting.