As President Biden insists he will stay in the presidential race, Democrats are growing increasingly alarmed that his presence on the ticket is transforming the political map, turning light-blue states into contested battlegrounds.
Down-ballot Democrats, local elected officials and party strategists say Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Mexico and Virginia — all of which Mr. Biden won comfortably in 2020 — could be in play in November after his miserable debate performance last month.
“President Trump is appealing to voters across the political spectrum, including in so-called blue states like Virginia, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Mexico and New Jersey, with his agenda to lower costs, secure the border, and restore peace through strength,” said Anna Kelly, a spokeswoman for the R.N.C.
But consistent across all four states are widespread fears about Mr. Biden’s age, unhappiness with inflation and electorates that are more closely divided than many national observers realize, according to interviews with local Democratic officials and strategists.
And a statewide survey in Oregon completed this week found that Mr. Biden had just a single-digit lead over Mr. Trump, according to results shared with The New York Times by a person who was not authorized to disclose them publicly.
Reporting was contributed by Katie Glueck from Salt Lake City, Utah, Reid J. Epstein and Ruth Igielnik from Washington, Nicholas Fandos from New York, Rebecca Davis O’Brien from Hooksett, N.H., and Jenna Russell from Bedford, N.H., and Nashua, N.H.
The original article contains 1,561 words, the summary contains 237 words. Saved 85%. I’m a bot and I’m open source!
This is the best summary I could come up with:
As President Biden insists he will stay in the presidential race, Democrats are growing increasingly alarmed that his presence on the ticket is transforming the political map, turning light-blue states into contested battlegrounds.
Down-ballot Democrats, local elected officials and party strategists say Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Mexico and Virginia — all of which Mr. Biden won comfortably in 2020 — could be in play in November after his miserable debate performance last month.
“President Trump is appealing to voters across the political spectrum, including in so-called blue states like Virginia, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Mexico and New Jersey, with his agenda to lower costs, secure the border, and restore peace through strength,” said Anna Kelly, a spokeswoman for the R.N.C.
But consistent across all four states are widespread fears about Mr. Biden’s age, unhappiness with inflation and electorates that are more closely divided than many national observers realize, according to interviews with local Democratic officials and strategists.
And a statewide survey in Oregon completed this week found that Mr. Biden had just a single-digit lead over Mr. Trump, according to results shared with The New York Times by a person who was not authorized to disclose them publicly.
Reporting was contributed by Katie Glueck from Salt Lake City, Utah, Reid J. Epstein and Ruth Igielnik from Washington, Nicholas Fandos from New York, Rebecca Davis O’Brien from Hooksett, N.H., and Jenna Russell from Bedford, N.H., and Nashua, N.H.
The original article contains 1,561 words, the summary contains 237 words. Saved 85%. I’m a bot and I’m open source!