President Joe Biden made a second appearance with embattled Rep. Mike Levin (D-CA), delivering a message aimed at military families and suburban voters in a Southern California district Republicans see as a prime pickup opportunity.
Economic concerns have metastasized in the lead-up to Election Day, imperiling Democrats’ congressional majorities as late-breaking ballots tilt toward Republicans. Polls show Democrats losing ground with voters who played a key role in Biden’s 2020 victory, including independents and suburban women.
Speaking at Viasat, a satellite communications company and military contractor headquartered a dozen miles from Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Biden tried to put to rest voters’ worries about the economy.
BIDEN HAS DEMOCRATS ‘SLAMMING THEIR HEADS ON A CEILING’ IN SEARCH FOR VOTES
Referencing a Friday jobs report, the president told the crowd that his administration was working hard to bring down prices for everyday goods and gas. He ticked through recent healthcare legislation and suggested he would soon be twisting corporate arms to help bring gas prices down.
“I’m going to have a little ‘come to the Lord’ talk with the oil companies pretty soon,” Biden quipped.
“I know it’s been a rough four or five years for an awful lot of people in the country,” Biden continued. “But there are bright spots where America has reasserted itself. Look around at all of you and our nation’s veterans. I’ve never been more optimistic about our future.”
Viasat, where Biden spoke and which provided the telecommunications service on the military plane that brought him to the state, Air Force One, was started by three friends in a garage — an example of California invention and acumen. “You all do a hell of a lot in garages out here,” Biden said, adding that he, too, “wanted to move to San Diego and buy a garage” for this reason.
Touting Democrats’ new semiconductor bill, the president emphasized the stakes for the United States as it competes for influence with China.
“We used to rank No. 1 in the world of research and development. Now we are ranked No. 9,” Biden said. “China, a decade ago, was No. 8. Now they’re No. 2 in the world.”
The CHIPS Act aims to reduce U.S. reliance on overseas semiconductor manufacturers by leveraging federal and corporate investments to develop the sector at home.
Biden recounted a visit to Afghanistan and his late son Beau’s service, drawing on his personal history as he pitched his efforts to help military families, veterans, and small businesses.
Split between San Diego and Orange County, the 49th Congressional District was represented by Rep. Darrell Issa (R-CA) for many years until his retirement in 2018. He secured his reelection by a margin of less than 1% in 2016. Levin won the seat in 2018.
Biden credited Levin with helping shepherd Democrats’ infrastructure, semiconductor, and healthcare legislation through Congress. The Democratic congressman also proved crucial to aiding veterans exposed to burn pits while serving overseas through a new bill. Biden blames burn pit exposure in Iraq for his son’s death from cancer in 2015.
Biden’s two-day California swing comes as Democrats confront national headwinds over crime and the economy, including in blue strongholds. Biden won the district by double digits in 2020.
A two-term congressman, Levin is facing a stronger-than-expected challenge from Republican Brian Maryott, his opponent in 2020 and 2018, when he flipped the seat from red to blue.
As Biden arrived in the state, the Congressional Leadership Fund, a political action committee linked to House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA), leveled another $300,000 television advertising buy in Levin’s district timed to Biden’s visit. The group has already invested $6.2 million in flipping the seat.
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Rated by the nonpartisan Cook Political Report as a toss-up, it moved from “lean Democratic” earlier in the cycle as political groups began pouring money into the contest and Republicans started making inroads with independent and undecided voters.
When Biden campaigned with Levin on Thursday night, the president credited him with getting federal legislation to his desk to boost jobs and manufacturing, help veterans, and “keep police on the force, keep firefighters on the force, keep teachers in the classroom.”
“Mike worked to get a million dollars for training for technical jobs,” Biden said.
