Biden Plans Limited Return To Campaign Trail, May Visit Key Swing States As Election Looms

Democratic nominee Joe Biden told donors on Thursday that he is considering a limited return to the campaign trail in order to better compete with President Donald Trump.

"One of the things we're thinking about is I'm going to be going up to Wisconsin, and Minnesota, spending time in Pennsylvania, out in Arizona,” Biden said. The travel would begin after Labor Day.

"But we're going to do it in a way that is totally consistent with being responsible, unlike what this guy's doing," Biden added, referring to Trump. "He's on the White House lawn tonight first of all violating the Hatch Act. Virtually throwing every major rule in the dustbin ... he's totally irresponsible."

The Democratic nominee said the events would be planned to not jeopardize or violate state restrictions amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Biden said he would take short trips, meeting with people and visiting small businesses in swing states.

Biden has shied away from traveling, due to the public health risks. The Democratic nominee has frequently given interviews or participated in virtual events from his Delaware home, but some Democratic allies have worried this is not enough.

Democratic strategist Christy Setzer said Biden should still plan some campaign events, despite the pandemic.

“He can and he should,” Setzer told the Hill this week. “Not just to meet actual voters and hear their concerns face to face, but to generate local media attention.”

Trump has recently held campaign events in states such as Wisconsin and Pennsylvania. The president has criticized Biden for not being physically present in Milwaukee during the Democratic National Convention.

“Biden and the Democrats have greatly disrespected the Great State of Wisconsin by not even paying a small visit to Milwaukee, the designated site of the DNC. The State & City worked very hard to make sure things would be good. Not nice. Vote Trump Wisconsin!” Trump tweeted on Aug. 22.

At the same time, Trump’s campaign events have sometimes backfired in recent months. A Trump rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma, on June 20 had fewer attendees than expected, with health officials believing the event likely contributed to a surge in COVID-19 cases in the area.

Recent general election polls show Biden with a strong lead over Trump. An Economist/YouGov poll on Wednesday showed Biden leading Trump by 9 points, 50% to 41%.