South Asians Announce Support For Biden – Harris Re-Election Bid

India-West News Desk

WASHINGTON, DC  – Politicians and groups, including South Asian ones, reacted quickly to the April 25 announcement of President Joe Biden officially announcing his intention to seek a second term, with Vice-President Kamala Harris as his running mate.

Biden, at 80, is already the oldest President in US history and he will be 86 at the end of his second term. His age has raised questions about his suitability for President even among Democratic voters. But they have been rallying to his side since he has decided to seek a second term.

Shekar Narasimhan, Chairman and Founder, of the AAPI Victory Fund tweeted, Over 40% of Americans are 60+ years old and we celebrate medical advances that increase longevity. We also idolize geniuses like Warren Buffet (92), Charlie Munger (99) and Bill Gates (67). I am all in for #BidenHarris2024.  #MAGACult please under-estimate @JoeBiden again.”

The hugely popular Governor of California, Gavin Newsom immediately used his clout to start raising money for the Biden campaign. “Republicans like Trump and DeSantis have a huge fundraising lead in the presidential race and President Biden needs our help to catch up.”

Biden has positioned himself as a defender of democracy, “The question we are facing is whether in the years ahead we have more freedom or less freedom, more rights or fewer,” he said in the video announcement. “I know what I want the answer to be. This is not a time to be complacent. That’s why I’m running for re-election.” Newsom has chimed in by saying, it was imperative for all, “in helping Democrats win the existential struggle for our democracy against extremist Republicans who are systematically attacking the very foundations of our free society.”

South Asians for America announced it was mobilizing to re-elect Biden, “in the wake of a historic and transformative first term.”  Neha Dewan, National Director, said, “We are looking strategically at the new Democratic Presidential primary calendar and will be investing in grassroots organizing in key states in preparation for 2024.”  Stating the reasons for backing the incumbents, she said, “from the most significant climate change bill in modern history through the Inflation Reduction Act, to the Administration’s executive order protecting reproductive rights and legislation strengthening common sense gun safety. These issues are top of mind for AAPI groups, and they affect our South Asian communities deeply.”

As sitting President, the Democratic party nomination is expected to be Biden’s, even though two people have announced so far, their desire to seek it as well — self-help author Marianne Williamson and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Neither of them at this point can mount a credible challenge to the President.

Biden could potentially face former President Donald Trump in the election that will take place in November 2024. Even though the Republican line-up for the primaries is still shaping up, Trump remains the favorite as he leads his rivals and potential rivals by a wide margin.

Nikki Haley, former US Ambassador to the UN, is among a handful of Republicans who have declared their bid for the party’s nomination, but she has been struggling in the polls.

Meanwhile, Vivek Ramaswamy, a longshot from the GOP tweeted, “It’s a myth that Joe Biden is actually running for President. He’s not. It’s just the managerial class using Joe Biden as a front to advance its own agenda. To them, Biden’s cognitive impairment isn’t a bug. It’s a feature. The Administrative state more effectively controls its puppets when they are hollowed-out husks of themselves. The fact that it’s elder abuse is just a cost of doing business for Biden’s handlers.”