Former New York Democratic Governor David Paterson has described Donald Trump's recently held rally in The Bronx as a "wake-up call" for President Biden and the Democratic Party. Paterson, who also served as chairman of the state Democratic Party, raised concerns over a recent Siena College poll that indicated Trump is within striking distance of winning the traditionally deep-blue state of New York.

Speaking on 77 WABC radio's "The Cats Roundtable," Paterson emphasized that simply criticizing Trump's actions from four years ago will not be enough for Democrats. He also highlighted the risk of downplaying rising inflation and other issues that could fail to sway voter opinions.

The former Republican president's rally in the heavily Democratic south Bronx drew thousands of supporters in Crotona Park, reflecting what Paterson called a "brilliant political move." He drew a comparison to the 2016 election, where Biden and the Democrats allowed Trump to defend his record during a historic pandemic and still emerged as the winner.

Paterson pointed out that now it is Biden who needs to publicly defend his record, noting the potential for a reversal of fortunes. Despite New York being a reliably blue state, the Siena College poll showed Biden leading Trump by a relatively close margin of 47% to 38%.

Acknowledging the significance of Trump's outreach to minority voters, Republican South Carolina Senator Tim Scott praised the ex-president's aggressive approach. Scott, considered a potential running mate for Trump, applauded his efforts to engage with traditionally Democratic-leaning voters.

Scott commended Trump for going beyond traditional Republican strongholds, such as attending the Libertarian Party convention, and holding rallies in unexpected locations like The Bronx. He labeled it a "50-state strategy" aimed at winning not only votes but also the hearts of the American people, emphasizing the importance of unifying the country and leading it towards a stronger and more prosperous future.

As the 2022 midterm elections draw nearer, the success of Trump's rally in The Bronx and his ability to make inroads in traditionally Democratic areas serve as a reminder to Biden and the Democrats that they need to address key concerns and effectively communicate their policies to maintain voter support.