Joe Biden showed up in Michigan on Tuesday to pledge his support for the UAW as the union continues to strike against American auto manufacturers.
The trip was planned after the UAW president personally invited the president as a way to preempt Donald Trump's trip to the same area on Wednesday. The former president will also be speaking in support of union members.
Despite both somewhat being on the same side of the issue, I'm sure the contrast with Trump is going to work out very well for Biden, though. After arriving at the picket line, Biden appeared confused at times, and that's when he wasn't shamelessly pandering.
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) September 26, 2023
"Mr. President, should the UAW get a 40% [pay] increase?"
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) September 26, 2023
BIDEN: *confused* pic.twitter.com/Ya8LbCOimv
The president wandered around like a lost puppy at times, ignoring questions and struggling to speak through a bullhorn. Once again, he avoided taking a position on the specifics, instead offering a generic endorsement of the union's fight.
President Biden joins the UAW picket line in Detroit in solidarity with striking autoworkers:
— The Recount (@therecount) September 26, 2023
“You deserve the significant raise you need and other benefits.” pic.twitter.com/LPKBTpSWtw
For reference, the UAW is demanding a 46 percent pay rise coupled with a 32-hour work week. Apparently, Biden thinks that's a great idea despite the fact that car prices are already through the roof. Are you tired of paying more for goods so politicians can pander to tiny segments of the population yet? I know that I am.
Unfortunately, this is an issue where I and many other conservatives are currently politically homeless. As I mentioned, Trump is also going to Michigan to take the side of the UAW in a gambit to gain voters in 2024. But at what cost?
That's the question I keep coming back to. For one, I'm not at all convinced following the 2020 and 2022 elections that sucking up to the unions is a winning electoral strategy for any Republican. Secondly, what happens if the UAW succeeds with its strike? Undoubtedly, the car manufacturers will fail (again), and that means you and I will be holding the bag on another bailout. Does that sound fair to anyone?
This was much easier when the two parties weren't fighting over who gets to simp the hardest for unions. At least then there was a clear ideological divide. But if every decision is now made based on trying to consolidate sub-groups of voters, we truly will be left with nothing but a uni-party.
What's next? Supporting the teachers' unions? Because if you go to bat for the UAW despite the outrageous demands of its members, then you are tacitly endorsing the demands of other unions. I find that to not be a preferable outcome.
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