With the 2020 election in full swing, Biden and Trump have made multiple appearances in spirited swing states such as Michigan. Both candidates have faced different outcomes during their respective visits – which begs the question: what is the key difference between the Biden and Trump visits to Michigan?
The primary difference between Biden’s and Trump’s approaches to suspected battlegrounds is rooted in the contrasts between their respective campaigns. For instance, Biden placed a greater emphasis on grassroots movements, focusing on individual voter outreach and coalition-building in order to generate grassroots political enthusiasm. In contrast, the Trump campaign has been far less organized in terms of outreach, choosing sweeping rallies and frequent television appearances as their primary approach.
The effects of these divergent strategies have been palpable. Biden’s visits to Michigan have attracted droves of grassroots supporters, bolstered by supporters from southeastern Michigan. This support has been bolstered, too, thanks to the presence of a more diverse political coalition, featuring local political activists, union members, and volunteers alike.
In contrast, Trump’s more geographically dispersed rallies have not been nearly as energetically received. Trump’s supporters have been more homogenous – almost exclusively white older males – and overwhelmingly1conservative. This stark contrast in energy (and demographics) effectively conveys the fundamental differences between Biden’s and Trump’s respective approaches to Michigan.
The key difference between the Biden and Trump visits to Michigan, therefore, is not only in the physical form, but in the way the two candidates interact with the Michigan voters. While Biden’s visits have been characterized by grassroots activism and coalition-building, Trump’s visits have largely entailed TV appearances and large-scale rallies. This contrast in approach has been the driving factor in the way the two candidates have interact with Michigan voters, and it has resulted in starkly divergent reception from the people of the state.
