Few attendees were reportedly present at a Joe Biden rally in Philadelphia on Wednesday, despite Pennsylvania’s status as a critical swing state for his campaign.
Photos displaying considerable gaps at the Philadelphia rally surfaced on Wednesday, shared by New York Post reporter Steven Nelson.
Photos from President Biden’s Philadelphia rally: the school’s gym is only about half full of supporters
A good amount of space is empty and spacious press workspace takes up the rest pic.twitter.com/et70d2lpCD
— Steven Nelson (@stevennelson10) May 29, 2024
Pennsylvania is among several swing states Biden must secure to defeat former President Trump in November. According to the Hill, Pennsylvania has gradually transformed from a secure base for the incumbent to a more contested state.
A New York Times/Siena College/Philadelphia Inquirer poll released earlier this month indicated that Biden’s support among young voters in the state has decreased from 62 percent in 2020 to 47 percent. Additionally, his backing from Black and Hispanic voters has fallen from 71 percent to 57 percent.
The Times/Siena/Inquirer survey also showed Sen. Bob Casey (D-Pa.) — who is running for reelection against Republican Dave McCormick — outperforming Biden by as many as 10 points.
Former Rep. Jason Altmire (D-PA) expressed his surprise at the poll results.
“I’m surprised that things aren’t going so well,” Altmire told the Hill. “If there’s any place where he should be doing well or better than President Trump, it’s Pennsylvania because of the personal connection, because of the work he’s been putting in for decades, and because the state is trending blue.”
“I think he’s doing everything he can do. They’ve pulled out all the stops,” he added.
