Biden made a rare foray into the battlefield with a visit to Pennsylvania and Wisconsin

WASHINGTON (AP) – President Joe Biden is making a sudden jump to 2024 intersection of political arenas since stepping back after his re-election bid.

He will compete on Tuesday in Pennsylvania for a close friend and visit Wisconsin to show off a signature legislative achievement.

But as Biden gains momentum in key states, two Democratic senators locked in re-election battles are taking very different approaches to the outgoing president. it remains in the second half of its approval ratings across much of the country.

Biden will be fully embraced by the Democratic Sen. Bob Casey when he attends a personal fundraiser in downtown Philadelphia for Pennsylvania’s senior senator. But in Milwaukee, where Biden is showing his administration’s efforts replace the country’s toxic pipesoccupied by Sen. Tammy Baldwin his absence will be notable.

“Democrats in tight races, for the most part, are estimating that the risk of accepting Biden outweighs any reward that his efforts bring to their campaign,” said a Christopher Borick, director of the Muhlenberg College Institute of Public Opinion in Pennsylvania. “There aren’t many places where he can really help Democrats in competitive races.”

Biden already spend a little time on the wording method since the end of his re-election campaign in July. That’s where it stands in Pennsylvania and Wisconsin – two where the Vice President is hotly contested Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump look important – more prominent.

Casey and Baldwin’s races are also seen as must-win races for Democrats trying to retain control of the Senate.

Biden, after leaving, vow to fight hard for Harris and Democrats. But as the campaign season wore on, he mostly took a back seat as he remained a weak candidate for Harris and the Democrats.

Casey is running against Republican David McCormick as he seeks a fourth term in the Senate a long relationship with Biden.

Casey grew up on the same street as Biden in Scranton. Their families have known each other for years, and she has battled Biden several times, including earlier this year. Biden — a Delaware native but a Pennsylvania native — has long claimed to be a Pennsylvanian.

However, Biden is facing serious doubt and his popularity has fallen amid uncertainty about rising costs and doubts about whether the 81 will stay in the job.

About 4 in 10 voters had a favorable view of Biden and about 6 in 10 had an unfavorable view, according to a Monmouth University Elections published at the end of September.

Baldwin will spend Tuesday on the other side of Wisconsin from Biden, participating in campaign events and receiving an award, according to his announcement and the Senate office.

“Senator Baldwin had an earlier plan on a family farm in Eau Claire to receive the American Farm Bureau Federation’s ‘Friend of Farm Bureau’ award in recognition of his leadership in fighting for hardworking farmers. of America, farmers, and manufacturers,” said Eli Rosen, Baldwin’s communications director, in response to a question about why he missed the president’s visit.

Biden’s approval rating in Wisconsin reached 40% last year and has not increased since he dropped out of the presidential race this summer, according to a recent Marquette poll. University Law School.

Baldwin, who is seeking a third term, is facing Republican Eric Hovde, the CEO of a Wisconsin real estate company.

He missed four of Biden’s five appearances in the state this year, including two in his hometown of Madison, before dropping out of the race.

However, Baldwin has appeared with Harris, including speaking to a crowd of more than 10,000 people last month in Madison.

“Badwin may be able to miss an event with Biden, but he can’t avoid the decision of working families in Wisconsin when they go to the polls,” said the chairman of the Wisconsin GOP. Brian Schimming.

Biden’s visit to Wisconsin, which has about 340,000 lead pipes, comes as the Environmental Protection Agency announced on Tuesday. a final rule need drinking water systems throughout the country b identify and replace lead pipes within 10 years.

Biden’s 2021 major rules provided $15 billion to find and replace toxic pipes, a legacy the Biden White House says will have an impact on generations to come. Lead can lower IQ and cause behavioral problems in children, and the administration believes the law will go a long way in removing about 9.2 million lead pipes carry water to American homes.

White House officials announced Baldwin’s absence from the event, noting that another Wisconsin senator, Republican Ron Johnson, voted against the development bill.

“Senator Baldwin has been an incredible partner (in) this administration in leading the charge on two major legislative initiatives,” White House deputy chief of staff Natalie Quillian said of Baldwin’s absence from the president’s visit.

The representative of the Democratic US Rep. Mark Pocan, whose district includes Wisconsin’s Democratic capital of Madison, said Biden’s policies are popular on the battlefield even if polls show he is not.

“I don’t think the vote for Biden is based on what he did in office,” Pocan said. “The problem with some elections is that it’s very simple. It looks like he’s old and people don’t want the White House, but he’s not running anymore.”

Pocan, who is not in a competitive race, also defended Baldwin not going with Biden.

“If you’re in a competitive race, you have a calendar,” Pocan said. “You have a plan based on what you’re trying to get votes for and you don’t change it when you have a candidate coming.”

Next week, Biden’s wife, Jill, is scheduled to campaign for Harris in Madison, Wisconsin, as part of the first lady’s five-day campaign through the Arizona, Nevada, and Arizona states. , Michigan, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania, Harris’ campaign and the White House announced on Tuesday.

___

Bauer reported from Madison, Wisconsin. Associated Press reporters Linley Sanders and Matthew Daly in Washington contributed to this report.