‘How Many Times Does He Have To Say It?’

Topline

First Lady Jill Biden strongly affirmed Friday that President Joe Biden will run for a second term in 2024, telling the Associated Press the president has “not finished what he’s started,” even as a lack of a formal 2024 campaign at this point has left some Democrats antsy.

President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden arrive at Cornwall Airport Newquay on June 9, 2021, … [+] near Newquay, Cornwall, England.

Phil Noble/Getty Images

Key Facts

The first lady told the news outlet on a visit to Namibia that the final formalities of the 2024 campaign are being worked out, like when and where the announcement will be made.

In the exchange, AP reporter Darlene Superville asked Biden whether there was “any reason” to think the president might not run for reelection, noting “we’ve heard him say several times that it is his intention to run.”

The first lady then responded, “Are you not believing this, Darlene? How many times does he have to say it for you to believe it?”

President Biden has not filed paperwork with the Federal Election Commission to raise funds for 2024, and he’s given no indication when he might launch his reelection bid, though reports suggest Biden is eyeing April for a potential announcement.

The president and administration officials have repeatedly said he plans to seek reelection, dating back to his first formal White House news conference in March 2021, when he told reporters, “My plan is to run for reelection.”

Crucial Quote

“He says he’s not done, he’s not finished what he’s started, and that’s what’s important.” Jill Biden told the AP. “Darlene, he’s just not done.”

Key Background

Biden has faced immense scrutiny over his age and the challenges it may present. At 80, he is the oldest person to hold the office of president in history, and poll after poll has shown Democratic voters want him to step aside to allow a younger candidate to emerge as the 2024 nominee. Biden has racked up numerous accomplishments as president, such as signing a $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill, curtailing the Covid-19 pandemic and enacting the first new federal gun control laws in decades, which he credits for Democrats’ surprisingly strong performances in the midterm elections. But Biden has been plagued by low approval ratings for much of his presidency. His 43.2% approval mark is just 0.6 percentage points higher than former President Donald Trump’s was at the same point in his presidency, while it’s several points below former presidents Barack Obama, George W. Bush and Bill Clinton at similar points in their first terms, according to FiveThirtyEight. The president has also recently been plagued by a special counsel investigation into his potential mishandling of classified documents and a federal investigation into possible financial and gun crimes involving his son, Hunter, though there’s no obvious tie between the president and allegations surrounding Hunter Biden.

Contra

A recent physical found the president in good health, with White House physician Kevin O’Connor calling Biden a “healthy, vigorous, 80-year-old male, who is fit to successfully execute the duties of the Presidency.”

What To Watch For

Trump announced his 2024 presidential campaign in November, and former Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley last week became the second major Republican to launch a 2024 bid. Several other top Republicans, such as Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and former Vice President Mike Pence, have strongly indicated they will also run for the GOP nomination.

Surprising Fact

Politico reported earlier this week that Biden has spoken little about 2024 even in private—citing aides close to him who say he is more focused on issues at hand, like brokering deals with the Republican-controlled House.

Tangent

Biden is not late on a reelection announcement by recent standards. Trump launched his 2020 campaign on June 18, 2019, while Obama announced his 2012 reelection bid on April 4, 2011.