### Biden’s Campaign Involvement Sparks Questions as Midterms Approach

As Election Day looms closer, the extent of President Joe Biden's participation in the midterm campaign trail has become a point of contention. On the last day of August, Biden assured he would be actively campaigning following a Labor Day appearance in Pittsburgh. While he did join Vice President Kamala Harris for Labor Day events, his presence has been notably sparse since then.

Strategic overlaps and misalignments have further complicated matters. For instance, after Hurricane Helene hit, Vice President Harris canceled her campaign events in Las Vegas to return to Washington for a briefing at the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). However, at the same time, President Biden addressed the nation about the storm from the Oval Office, inadvertently overshadowing Harris's activities.

This lack of synchronized campaigning could have implications not just for Harris, but also for the Democratic Party's efforts to maintain control of the Senate, reclaim the House, and compete in various local races. In a bid to bolster the campaign, former President Barack Obama has stepped in. Obama is scheduled to appear in Pittsburgh on Thursday and will be traveling to key battleground states until the November 5 elections. He has also recorded ads endorsing Democratic Senate candidates in Michigan, Maryland, and Florida.

Balancing presidential duties with campaigning isn't unprecedented for an outgoing president, but Biden's situation is unique due to his initial bid for a second term, which he later withdrew, thus constraining Harris's campaign timeline. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre emphasized, "I think he's doing his job as president. I think that's the most important thing."

Hurricane Helene has further complicated the campaign dynamics. Last week, Biden canceled a campaign event in Pennsylvania. On Wednesday, both Biden and Harris traveled separately to the Carolinas and Georgia to survey hurricane damage and extend support. Unlike previous instances, their remarks did not overlap this time.

On Friday, while Harris spoke on the importance of unions outside Detroit, Biden made an unexpected appearance in the White House briefing room, a first in his presidency. Biden has made official visits to battleground states and is set to campaign for Democratic Senator Bob Casey in suburban Philadelphia on Tuesday.

Biden's connection to Pennsylvania, stemming from his birthplace and ties with union leaders and blue-collar voters, is seen as advantageous. Former Democratic National Committee chief Donna Brazile remarked, "I would make sure he is out there in the closing weeks and days of the campaign. He connects with people she will need."

Despite the occasional overlap in schedules, Biden and Harris have attended several joint official events, including a recent White House gathering focused on gun violence and an August healthcare-related event where Biden emphatically stated, "We cannot let Kamala lose." Additionally, both have been involved in Situation Room briefings regarding the escalating conflict in the Middle East.