21 Democratic candidates are set to appear on the New Hampshire primary ballot on Tuesday, except for incumbent President Joe Biden. His absence on the ballot has led to a grassroots campaign urging voters to write in Biden's name. Although President Biden is not physically present in the state, influential Democrats have taken to New Hampshire to rally support for him.
This situation arose after President Biden advised the Democratic National Committee (DNC) to prioritize South Carolina as the first primary in the nation, rather than New Hampshire, which has held this position for a century. Consequently, Biden's name is absent from the New Hampshire primary ballot. However, his supporters are working tirelessly to ensure his victory by advocating for write-ins.
Boston Mayor Michelle Wu and California Congressman Ro Khanna have been actively involved in the grassroots campaign known as 'Write-in Biden.' Wu and Khanna believe that a strong showing in the write-in campaign is crucial for Biden. Even though some political analysts argue that Biden needs to win by a substantial margin, his supporters maintain that any victory is significant, regardless of the margin.
Khanna expressed confidence in President Biden's success, stating, 'Success means winning. That's the key. And I think Joe Biden is going to win in New Hampshire.' However, undertaking a successful write-in campaign is no easy feat. Nevertheless, Khanna emphasized the strength of the grassroots organization in New Hampshire, stating that it will play a pivotal role in ensuring Biden's victory.
The rationale behind the write-in campaign stems from concerns among local Democrats regarding the optics of President Biden running for re-election and potentially losing the state to a lesser-known challenger. During an event in Nashua, Mayor Wu focused primarily on Biden's achievements in infrastructure and social programs. However, she also dedicated a significant portion of her speech to warning Democrats about the dangers of underestimating former President Donald Trump.
As the New Hampshire primary approaches, the write-in campaign for President Biden continues to gather momentum. While it is an unconventional approach, supporters believe that their efforts will secure a victory for the incumbent president. The results of the primary will be closely watched as they could potentially impact future Democratic campaigns and the overall trajectory of Biden's presidency.
