Biden’s Infrastructure Czar to Play Key Role in Re-election Campaign

Infrastructure czar Mitch Landrieu is leaving his role at the White House to join President Joe Biden’s re-election campaign as Biden seeks to bolster his bid for a second term.

In a statement, Biden commended Landrieu’s efforts in implementing a $1 trillion law designed to improve infrastructure, such as building bridges, roads, electric vehicle charging stations, and expanding high-speed internet access. Biden stated that this demonstrates “we can do big things.”

Julie Chavez Rodriguez, Biden’s campaign manager, emphasized the importance of Landrieu’s work in highlighting President Biden’s investments in America and revitalization of the economy with regards to the re-election effort.

This transition occurs as Biden aims to ramp up his campaign ahead of the upcoming November election, which is anticipated to be a rematch with former President Donald Trump, who is currently leading polls for the Republican nomination.

Biden’s focus is on leveraging the economy and his initiatives to rebuild America. However, close poll results have prompted closer examination of his campaign.

Former President Barack Obama, who served alongside Biden for eight years as vice president, recently met with Biden due to concerns about Trump’s potential victory, according to a source cited by Reuters.

Biden has kept long-standing senior advisers at the White House, and Obama has informed allies that Biden’s campaign needs to have the autonomy to make decisions without White House approval, as reported by The Washington Post.

Biden’s administration has emphasized over 40,000 projects across the country, with an estimated completion timeline of three to five years. As a White House adviser, Landrieu was legally prohibited from making any comments linking the work to Biden’s re-election.

Biden has portrayed the 2024 presidential election as a referendum on democracy in the wake of Trump’s attempts to retain power and overturn the 2020 election, which led to federal and state criminal charges (denied by the former president).

Biden has also relied on the nation’s post-pandemic economic recovery, marked by low unemployment and stabilized inflation, despite consumer pessimism over rising prices, though sentiments have improved over time.

Trump, who has pleaded not guilty to charges related to election subversion, has cautioned, as he did in 2020, that Biden’s election would disrupt the economy.

Recent Reuters/Ipsos polling showed a close race, with 45% of respondents stating that Trump managed the economy better, compared to 33% who favored Biden.