In 2008, Barack Obama campaigned and won the US presidential election with the slogan “Yes, we can.”
Far away in Delhi in 2020 when the United States voted for Joe Biden, the Congress party said, “Maybe we can too.”
Until a few weeks ago, many political observers felt that with the world turning to the right and Donald Trump’s “America for Americans” campaign, he had struck a chord and a second term was very possible. Comparisons were made immediately with Narendra Modi, who to this day remains very popular and her “Atmanirbhar” campaign sounds similar to “America for Americans.” More than that, the opposition is not seen as a match for him, and certainly not Congress. A confusing picture, lack of clarity about leadership and waning support in states, rising regional powers, and an aggressive BJP moving into uncharted territory add to Congress’s troubles and apprehensions.
But all of this changed a bit when it became clear that Biden was the new president-elect. The man many initially dismissed as an underdog with a politically weak Kamala Harris as a running mate has been a game changer. Top Congressional leaders, especially both Sonia and Rahul Gandhi, were quick to tweet, welcoming Biden as the “hope for a new America.” Sources say that as Rahul Gandhi watched the results closely, he told his close advisers that the United States had shown the way. That there was hope and that, yes, Congress can too.
But what can the United States Congress and Biden-Harris learn? Political strategist Dilip Cherian says: “There are two great lessons that political parties must learn to return. Race partners matter a lot. Harris gave Biden the weight he needed. He checked many boxes. Does your partner play on equal terms and press the correct buttons?
Second, a detailed positive response needs to be (prepared in advance), but only once the campaign starts. It helps if the owner refuses to take any advice. “
Political experts say what helped Biden win was his focus on people’s problems and not being drawn into any issue that could be misconstrued as contrary to primarily American interests. So while Trump openly showed his contempt for wearing masks, it was his mishandling of the COVID-19
crisis among other problems that seems to have killed him. Biden quickly realized this. As the numbers skyrocketed in the US and President Trump took it lightly, Biden’s team found a problem showing voters that he cared, while Trump did not. This is something that Congress wants to hold onto. The growing pandemic, Rahul Gandhi’s early warning on deaf ears, insufficient medical facilities, the Rahul team believes that repeatedly announcing this could help secure a victory, even though polls are far off.
Biden also insisted on jobs and a united America. He was smart enough not to abandon Donald Trump’s “America for Americans” line, realizing that this is what nationalism and national spirit are all about. However, without sounding appeasing, he spoke of America united to bring everyone. Now Congress needs to get this correct perception. The questioning of surgical strikes, open criticism of the revocation of Article 370, etc., only leads to the trap set by the BJP. Tejashwi Yadav deserves credit for realizing that this is a trap that he must avoid. So their campaigns were about jobs, they refused to be attracted, or even responded to problems like Kashmir, Ram Mandir, and CAA. In fact, just before the prime minister’s tour, he tweeted saying he expected the prime minister to address Bihar’s issues. “Vocal for local” was clearly Tejashwi’s battle cry.
Biden in his debates also focused on the need for the United States to remain a superpower, to be one, to fight the crown, and to provide jobs. Rahul Gandhi’s advisers are also asking him not to get swept up in trouble or bait by the BJP, which is always putting Congress backwards. Balancing the votes between Hindus and Muslims without leaning to either side, leaning less towards left-wing ideology (of which his close group is accused), focusing on people’s issues like jobs, health facilities, etc., are the lessons you can learn from the success story. of Biden.
But Congress is excited, as it has some hope. Sources say a group will soon be set up to reexamine his worksheet and strategy just before his presidential election, but there is also much to learn from Biden. And Tejashwi.
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