After a shaky debate performance, President Joe Biden has faced increasing scrutiny from his own party, including some calls to drop from the race.
In South Dakota, some local Democrats say they’re still on board with Biden.
President Joe Biden’s age has been perhaps the most heated issue of the 2024 Presidential election.
That’s despite the fact he’s only three-and-a-half years older than his Republican counterpart, former President Donald Trump.
In turn, South Dakota Democratic Party executive director Dan Ahlers said not to throw the baby out with the bathwater.
“If people are worried about the mental faculties of the President, I have met him personally and I can tell you that he is of sound mind," Ahlers said. "We all have bad days. We all have times where we forget somebodies name. I’m 50 and I’ve done that, I don’t think that means I can’t do my job.”
Ahlers said concerned voters should focus on the success of implemented policy.
“President Biden hasn’t always been as good about tooting his own horn as maybe he should be, and Governor Noem talked about it in her RNC speech," Ahlers said. "She’s talking about all these great things, infrastructure projects – dams, roads, bridges – that’s all from money from the Biden infrastructure bill.”
Money from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law has made it to South Dakota’s metros, rural communities and reservations, which has motivated confidence in prominent state Democrats. That includes outgoing Senate minority leader Reynold Nesiba.
“Donald Trump is the most unfit person to ever run for the US Presidency," Nesiba said. "He continues to deny he lost the 2020 election. He openly supports dictators whose interests are opposed to Americas. President Biden won the primary election, and I fully support Bidens candidacy for reelection. Further, I predict Americans will vote for decency and normalcy in November.”
With months until November, stalwart Trump supporter Gov. Kristi Noem warned Republicans on a recent Fox News appearance against getting overconfident before votes are tallied.