Decades ago, there was a major ad campaign for New Coke that ended up being a huge flop in advertising history. Today, the 81-year-old president is likened to New Coke. Despite a significant advertising push in March, President Biden’s campaign saw little movement in his numbers. This lackluster performance suggests that Biden may be facing an uphill battle in his reelection efforts.
The month of action for Biden’s reelection campaign started with his State of the Union address, followed by a hefty spending on advertising. Despite the advantages of incumbency and a well-funded campaign, Biden’s approval ratings barely shifted during this period. In fact, his numbers remained stagnant or even worsened in some cases.
In matchups against Trump, Biden’s numbers were marginally better, but still not impressive. The battleground state polling also showed a decline in Biden’s support in the second month of the campaign. Overall, Biden’s “month of action” failed to generate much momentum or significant gains.
These results are concerning for Biden as he had to spend a large sum of money for a race that was still months away. With poor approval ratings and lackluster poll numbers, Biden’s reelection campaign is facing challenges. Attempting to make November a referendum on Trump may not be enough to overcome Biden’s own shortcomings.
Despite having a field to himself, a financial advantage, and other assets of incumbency, Biden’s campaign struggled to make a significant impact. With low approval ratings across various issues, Biden may find it difficult to turn the tide in his favor. More money, advertising, and exposure may not be enough to change the perception of his presidency.
In conclusion, Biden’s campaign faces challenges similar to the failed New Coke ad campaign. While publicity can only go so far, the actual product and its packaging ultimately determine its success. Biden’s struggle to gain traction despite his advantages highlights the underlying issues with his presidency. More effort and resources may not be enough to change the public’s perception of him.
