Comment President Biden on Thursday night launched a push into the midterm elections with a fiery speech in Rockville, Md., in which he cast the Republican Party as one dangerously consumed by anti-democratic forces that had turned toward “semi-fascism.” It was some of the strongest language used by Biden, a politician long known — and occasionally criticized — for his willingness to work with members of the opposite party. “MAGA Republicans don’t just threaten our personal rights and our economic security,” Biden said, referring to former President Donald Trump’s Make America Great Again slogan. “They are a threat to our democracy itself. They refuse to accept the will of the people. They embrace – embrace – political violence. They don’t believe in democracy.” “That’s why right now, those of you who love this country — Democrats, Independents, Republicans — need to be stronger,” he added. As if on cue, the rally was interrupted by a fan who shouted: “You stole the election!” The crowd booed as the man was led out, holding up two fingers like President Richard M. Nixon and taking a brief bow. Earlier in the evening, speaking at a reception that helped raise $1 million for Democratic campaigns, Biden voiced more stark concerns about American democracy and the Republicans he sees as a threat. “What we’re seeing now is either the beginning or the death of an extreme MAGA philosophy,” Biden said. “It’s not just Trump, it’s the whole philosophy behind it — I’ll say something — it’s like semi-fascism.” Citing Russian President Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine and his frequent interactions with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Biden also criticized his predecessor for weakening the United States on the world stage. Biden student loan action sparks instant political battle “I underestimated how much damage they had done in the previous four years to America’s reputation in the world,” the president said. The rhetoric was an escalation for Biden and a sign that he sees a greater threat than Trump and an ideology that shows little sign of abating. It also marked a transition as the president turned more strongly toward the midterm elections and sought not only to tout his own record but to create a sharper contrast with the opposing party. “I want to be clear about what’s on the ballot this year,” he said at the start of his remarks, during which he removed his jacket and rolled up his sleeves. “Your right to choose is on the ballot this year. The Social Security you paid into since you had a job is on the ballot. Keeping our children safe from gun violence is on the ballot.” “The very survival of our planet is on the ballot,” he added. “Your right to vote is on the ballot. Even democracy. Are you ready to fight for these things now?’ A spokesman for the Republican National Committee criticized Biden for his remarks, including his use of the term “quasi-fascism.” “Outrageous,” RNC spokesman Nathan Brand said in response. “Biden has forced Americans out of their jobs, transferred money from working families to Harvard lawyers, and driven our country into recession while families can’t afford gas and groceries. Democrats don’t care about suffering Americans — never have.” Earlier in the evening, the White House used its official Twitter account to call out comments by Republican lawmakers that it saw as hypocritical — a level of partisan militancy that the Biden administration has often shied away from. Four propositions from the New York and Florida primaries After Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.), speaking on the conservative television network Newsmax, said it was “totally unfair” for Biden to forgive some student debt, the White House reminded Greene on Twitter that she had $183,504 in Paycheck Protection Program loans. excusable. It continued with several other lawmakers — including Reps. Vern Buchanan (Fla.), Mike Kelly (Pa.) and Markwayne Mullin (Okla.) — with the White House noting the hundreds of thousands of dollars in debt of those Republicans who criticized the student loan forgiveness program , had pardoned through PPP. During Thursday night’s rally, Biden’s midterm message also came across as one focused on a story of recovery. It painted a picture of a country rising from the depths of a global pandemic and economic disaster. “We’ve come a long way,” he said, in what amounted to a campaign slogan at a high school gymnasium where some in the crowd held signs reading “A Better America.” The question that will emerge in the coming months is whether voters agree the country is moving forward and whether Democrats remain motivated, particularly at a time when most candidates in competitive races are shunning Biden and not asking him to campaign with them. Biden urged his party to turn out in large numbers, in part to try to convince them of the unfinished business he wants to complete. In a sign of his struggles against two Democratic senators who often block him — Joe Manchin III of West Virginia and Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona — he said: “If we elect two more senators, we’ll keep the House … you’re going to have a lot of unfinished business ». As Biden heads toward midterms, he may not be top surrogate He said they would encode it Roe v. Wade protect abortion, ban assault weapons, pass universal preschool, restore the child tax credit, and pass protections for voting rights. But Biden became more animated when criticizing Republicans and expressing surprise at the direction the party has taken. “There aren’t many real Republicans anymore,” he said, adding that Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan “is a Republican you can deal with.” “I respect conservative Republicans,” he added. “I have no respect for these MAGA Republicans.” For a president who often shied away from discussing his predecessor — referring to him at some points as “the ex-guy” — Biden shrugged off much of that reluctance Thursday. “Donald Trump is not just a former president,” Biden said. “He’s a loser ex-president!” “It’s not an exaggeration,” he added. “Now you must vote to literally save democracy again.”
