Biden to give primetime speech Thursday on 'continued battle for the soul of the nation' in Philadelphia

WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden is set to give a primetime speech Thursday night on "the continued battle for the soul of the nation" as early voting in the November midterm elections draws nearer.

Biden will deliver his remarks outside Independence National Historical Park in Philadelphia, known as the birthplace of American democracy and where Biden launched his 2020 presidential campaign.

The speech comes after Biden introduced aggressive new rhetoric at a Democratic rally in Maryland last week, accusing Republicans of "semi-fascism" and saying he doesn't respect "these MAGA Republicans," referring to the political movement spawned by former President Donald Trump.

That rally kicked off a midterm effort to label Republicans as increasingly extreme, with Democrats arguing abortion rights, the survival of Social Security, climate and democracy itself are on the ballot.

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The White House did not provide additional details about the speech. Its theme – a "battle for the soul of the nation" –  is a nod to Biden's old campaign slogan and central argument of his 2020 candidacy.

"In 2020, you and 81 million Americans voted to save our democracy," Biden said last week in Rockville, Md. "That's why Donald Trump isn't just a former president, he is a defeated former president. And it's not hyperbole. Now you need to vote to literally save democracy again."

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After a series of legislative wins in Congress and with declining gas prices, Biden is experiencing a bounce in approval ratings that had reached below 40% earlier this year. A Gallup poll found 44% of Americans approve of Biden's job performance, marking his highest mark in one year. A new CBS News poll has Biden's approval rating at 45%.

Biden's trip to Philadelphia will be his second this week to Pennsylvania, one of the most important battlegrounds for Democrats to maintain control of the Senate after November. Biden on Tuesday is visiting Wilkes-Barre to discuss public safety and efforts to curb gun crime. On Monday, he is traveling to Pittsburgh for a Labor Day parade.

Reach Joey Garrison on Twitter @joeygarrison.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Biden to give primetime speech Thursday in Philadelphia