OPINION:
President Biden’s sudden challenge to debate former President Donald Trump should be studied carefully by everyone who wants to understand the American people and the deep currents running through our society.
Last week, Mr. Trump sat through vicious, defamatory testimony. The full weight of corrupt, left-wing lawfare was brought to bear to attack his candidacy and protect Mr. Biden and the left from a second Trump term.
But the result was a repudiation of the left’s establishment and a remarkably positive signal for Mr. Trump and the Make America Great Again movement.
MAGA beat legal smears, a biased left-wing media, and a stunningly well-financed Democratic Party machine’s advertising and messaging.
First, Mr. Trump went to Wildwood, New Jersey, and received a tremendous outpouring of support. Based on the overhead drone photos, between 85,000 and 100,000 people gathered in the resort town. One restaurant owner told CBS News the crowd was “like Fourth of July, Labor Day weekend, and Memorial Day weekend all packed into one.”
Imagine the morale boost for the former (and likely future) president to leave a hostile New York courtroom and then see 100,000 people show up to vindicate his courage and commitment.
Mr. Trump’s Wildwood crowd may have been bigger than all the crowds Mr. Biden has spoken to in four years. It is an amazing contrast.
The news on the polling front was almost as good as the New Jersey rally turnout. It was doubly enjoyable because it came from The New York Times. Imagine the anguish among the Times’ staff as they had to report that Donald Trump was winning the court of public opinion. It brings a smile just thinking of it.
The Times reported that among likely voters, Mr. Trump was ahead of Mr. Biden in five of six key states — and behind by only 1 point in the sixth.
In some states, the numbers are beginning to be decisive. In Georgia, Mr. Trump now leads Mr. Biden by 9 points. Remember, Mr. Biden won Georgia narrowly in 2020. Now, Georgia is beginning to return to being a solid red state. Gov. Brian Kemp’s success and popularity are likely a strong factor in Georgia tracking red.
The big surprise to me was the 13-point lead in Nevada. The state’s economy has not recovered under “Bidenomics.” The impact of illegal immigration and crime has further weakened the Democrats there. In addition, Mr. Trump continues to gain strength among Hispanics — and this shows in Nevada.
In neighboring Arizona, a heavily contested state in 2020, Mr. Trump is leading by 6 points.
In Pennsylvania, a key state that has seen more visits by Mr. Biden than any other state except Delaware, Mr. Biden’s efforts are failing. Mr. Trump is now ahead by 3 points, 48 to 45. With a strong Senate candidate in Dave McCormick — and despite its popular Democratic governor — the Keystone State may be on the verge of guaranteeing Mr. Trump’s reelection.
In another state Mr. Biden carried narrowly in 2020, Wisconsin now leans toward Mr. Trump by 47 to 46.
Mr. Biden’s only swing state lead is in Michigan, where he leads by 1 point, 47 to 46.
In addition to the aforementioned New York Times poll, an Emerson College poll showed Trump within 5 points in New Jersey (Mr. Biden 41, Mr. Trump 36, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. 8) and that was before the massive rally in Wildwood. Remember, Mr. Biden carried New Jersey by 16 points, but the Republican came within 2 points of winning the governorship.
In Virginia, a recent poll by Fabrizio, Lee & Associates and Impact Research found the candidates virtually tied with Mr. Biden at 43 points and Mr. Trump at 42 points.
So, with all the evidence that Mr. Trump is gaining ground despite every act of left-wing lawfare, Mr. Biden decided he had to go on offense.
He challenged Mr. Trump to two debates and a vice presidential debate. They are all fairly early (presumably so if Mr. Biden fails in the debate he and the media will have time to help him recover).
The debate challenge is the clearest signal that the Biden campaign knows it’s in trouble.
Now things get interesting.
• For more commentary from Newt Gingrich, visit Gingrich360.com. Also, subscribe to the “Newt’s World” podcast.
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