Democrats Remain Calm Despite Hunter Biden Investigation
Biden’s Appointment of Special Counsel Raises Concerns
President Biden and his party are facing the appointment of a special counsel in the investigation into Hunter Biden, which they see as a high-risk proposition. The potential criminal inquiry focused on the President’s son could expand beyond the current tax and gun charges he faces and impact the election year. However, many Democrats are relatively unconcerned about Hunter Biden’s legal troubles, instead focusing on other issues such as the President’s age, low approval ratings, and the public’s lack of confidence in the economy.
Democrats Adopt a “What-Aboutism” Approach
Some Democrats are adopting a version of the “what-aboutism” tactic frequently used by Republicans during Donald Trump’s presidency. They argue that while Hunter Biden is under investigation, the GOP’s front-runner has been indicted three times. Representative Jamie Raskin of Maryland asserts that Donald Trump is not the solution to political corruption, despite Hunter Biden’s investigation.
Reasons for Democrats’ Calm
Democrats provide various reasons for their calm response to the appointment of the special counsel. Polling suggests that swing voters are not particularly concerned about Hunter Biden’s controversies. Recent elections have also shown that issues like abortion rights have been driving Democratic victories. Additionally, Democrats do not believe that the actions of problematic family members necessarily impact relatives running for President.
White House and Biden Campaign Maintain Silence
Similar to their response to Donald Trump’s indictments, the White House, Biden campaign, and Democratic National Committee have opted for silence following the announcement of the special counsel. Many of the President’s allies have refused to comment or only discuss the situation off the record.
Unclear Impact on Biden’s Campaign
While it remains unclear how Hunter Biden’s trial could affect his father’s presidential campaign, it is evident that Donald Trump is already facing multiple potential trials. Any court proceedings involving Joe Biden could serve as distractions but have not implicated him in any wrongdoing.
Swing Voters Show Empathy
According to Republican consultant Sarah Longwell, swing voters tend to view Hunter Biden’s legal issues as personal matters rather than applicable to the President. They often see it as a common occurrence within families, considering it a personal black sheep situation.
Warnings from Representative Dean Phillips
Representative Dean Phillips of Minnesota is one of the few Democrats expressing concern over the potential impact of Hunter Biden’s investigation on Joe Biden’s chances at the polls. He believes that the facts of the case matter less than the information people receive and how they perceive it.
Most Democrats Focused on Other Priorities
Many Democrats remain convinced that voters are more concerned about other issues and that Hunter Biden’s case will not significantly change the conversation. Past victories against Trump have also alleviated some of the anxiety previously experienced by the party.
