Biden Strategically Comparing Trump To Nazis To ‘Raise The Stakes’ And Energize Dems Says CNN Analyst: ‘Very Carefully Calculated’
CNN political commentator and Republican strategist Kevin Madden told anchor Wolf Blitzer on Friday that President Joe Biden comparing Donald Trump to Nazi Germany is a “carefully calculated strategy” to energize Democrats for 2024, an observation with which Blitzer wholeheartedly agreed.
Biden on Friday delivered a speech ahead of January 6 attack anniversary in which he blasted Trump relentlessly and said the ex-president is “echoing the same exact language used in Nazi Germany.”
After getting reactions to Biden’s speech from CNN’s David Chalian and Kate Bedingfield, Blitzer turned to Madden to ask about the rhetoric, emphasizing the invoking of Nazi Germany.
“Yeah, it’s tough rhetoric,” said Madden. “But I think for the president, his goal here is to really raise the stakes of this election.”
“One of the most important constituencies here is the most active progressive Democrats, who right now aren’t really enthusiastic about voting for Joe Biden,” he said. “And they need to be enthusiastic for voting for Joe Biden by November. So this is sort of a starter’s pistol, if you will, for getting those voters energized about what’s at stake for this election.”
He concluded that the commentary is also aimed at persuadable suburban voters in places like Pennsylvania, where Biden delivered his remarks. “It seems very, very carefully calculated strategy here by the White House.”
BLITZER: Biden repeatedly called out Trump by name today, specifically going after Trump, and even at one point calling him a loser and comparing his rhetoric to Nazi Germany. Nazi Germany.
MADDEN: Yeah, it’s tough rhetoric. but I think for the president, his goal here is to really raise the stakes of this election. And I also think, to David’s point, President Biden wants voters out there to really enter into a level of self-reflection about what direction the country’s going. And the contrast between a choice for President Biden or choice for former President Trump in November. And he believes that that contrast works in his favor.
I think the other thing, that — part of this, and this is, goes to some of what Kate said. One of the most important constituencies here is the most active progressive Democrats, who right now aren’t really enthusiastic about voting for Joe Biden. And they need to be enthusiastic for voting for Joe Biden by November. So this is sort of a starter’s pistol, if you will, for getting those voters energized about what’s at stake for this election.
It also is probably a message that works well with your most persuadable voters. Those voters in the suburbs. And there’s a reason that he was in Pennsylvania today. Because Pennsylvania is going to be one of those states where suburban voters in areas around Harrisburg and Philadelphia are going to make or break whether or not that state goes for Joe Biden. So it seems very, very carefully calculated strategy here by the White House.
BLITZER: Yeah, I totally agree.
Watch the clip above via CNN.
