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A fiery speech in Philadelphia that called far-right Republicans a threat to democracy. A $400 billion executive action canceling student loan debt for tens of millions of Americans. A mass pardon of thousands of people convicted under federal marijuana laws and a potential end to prohibition.
After decades of campaigning, legislating and governing as a moderate, President Joe Biden is now signaling that in the final weeks before the midterm elections, it’s all about the base.
Thursday’s executive order on cannabis possession—which also included a directive for the drug to be rescheduled, allowing federal authorities to expand access for medical and scientific use—was the latest in a series of “promises made, promises kept” actions on issues of major importance to Democratic voters, whose enthusiasm has flagged ahead of what are expected to be challenging midterms.