Biden's Strong Launch, Day 2

"courage, opportunity, democracy, freedom"

It was a strong Biden-Harris launch yesterday. Thanks to all those who donated and signed up on JoeBiden.com. The campaign was smart to launch this early - people are ready to get to work. Let’s spend a little time now reflecting on this powerful launch, the story the campaign is trying to tell, and why we should be optimistic about what we are going to be able to do, together, over the next 18 months. Key links:

• The Biden Launch Video (transcript below)

• The 1st Biden-DNC Ad, “Raise the Flag” (ad, transcript below)

• My Monday Hopium Post - “I’d Rather Be Us Than Them”

• My interview with WaPo’s Greg Sargent on the Biden launch

• More from me in a new Ron Brownstein Atlantic Magazine article

Friends, this is very strong stuff from Team Biden. The imagery is evocative, powerful; the narrative compelling and patriotic; the language muscular, direct, lean. It’s just all really really good.

Many of you have been asking me for help with talking points on the ground. Well, here we go. Here is the narrative, the imagery, the contrast, the language we will all be living in for the next 18 months. There is so much to work with here. Let’s put our heads down, get to work and take it to these guys - Simon

Transcript of 1st Biden Ad, “Raise The Flag”

As the sun rises, we raise the flag a symbol of all that we hold most dear as Americans, courage, opportunity, democracy, freedom. They're the values and beliefs that built this country and still beat in our hearts. But they're under attack by an extreme movement that seeks to overturn elections, ban books and eliminate a woman's right to choose. Joe Biden has made defending our basic freedoms, the cause of his presidency, the freedom for women to make their own health care decisions, the freedom for our Children to be safe from gun violence, the freedom to vote and have your vote counted for seniors to live with dignity and to give every American the freedom that comes with a fair shot at building a good life in small towns and big cities. We raise our heads, our eyes, our hearts for America, for the idea of this great country, Joe Biden is running for re election to make certain that the sun will not set on his flag. The promise of American democracy will not break a partisan issue. As your president, I will defend our democracy with every fiber of my vein. And I'm asking every American to join me for freedom for democracy, for America. Joe Biden, I'm Joe Biden and I approve.

The Transcript of the Biden-Harris Launch Video

Freedom.

Personal freedom is fundamental

to who we are as Americans.

There’s nothing more important.

Nothing more sacred.

That's been the work of my first term.

To fight for our democracy.

This shouldn’t be a red or blue issue.

To protect our rights.

To make sure that everyone in this country is treated equally.

And that everyone is given a fair shot at making it.

But, you know, around the country,

MAGA extremists are lining up to take on those bedrock freedoms.

Cutting Social Security

that you’ve paid for your entire life

while cutting taxes for the very wealthy.

Dictating what health care decisions women can make.

Banning books,

and telling people who they can love.

All while making it more difficult for you to be able to vote.

When I ran for President four years ago,

said we were in a battle for the soul of America.

And we still are.

The question we're facing is, whether in the years ahead,

we have more freedom or less freedom.

More rights or fewer.

I know what I want the answer to be, and I think you do, too.

This is not a time to be complacent.

That's why I'm running for re-election.

Because I know America.

I know we're good and decent people.

I know we're still a country that believes in honesty and respect.

And treating each other with dignity.

That we're a nation where we give hate no safe harbor.

We believe that everyone is equal,

that everyone should be given a fair shot to succeed in this country.

Thank you for choosing us.

Thank you.

Every generation of Americans have faced a moment

when they have to defend democracy.

Stand up for our personal freedom.

Stand up for the right to vote and our civil rights.

And this is our moment.

Thanks, man.

Joe!

We, the people, will not be silenced.

Well, God love ya.

Arriba Biden!

So if you're with me,

go to joebiden.com and sign up.

Let's finish this job.

I know we can—

because this is the United States of America.

And there's nothing, simply nothing we cannot do if we do it together.