New Biden ad jokes about his age: ‘I’m not a young guy. That’s no secret.’

In a new ad for his re-election campaign, President Biden tries to turn one of his biggest risks as a candidate, his age, into an advantage.

“Look, I’m not a young guy. That’s no secret,” says a smiling Mr. Biden, speaking directly to the camera. “But here’s the deal: I understand how to get things done for the American people.”

The 81-year-old president then lists the accomplishments of his first term, including his handling of the coronavirus pandemic, capping insulin prices for older consumers and passing infrastructure legislation — while contrasting his record with that of former President Donald J Trump, the likely Republican nominee, whom he accuses of taking away “women’s freedom to choose” in reproductive matters.

With a fiery State of the Union address under his belt, Mr. Biden is entering full campaign mode. The new advertisement is the first in a $30 million blitz that will target key battleground states over the next six weeks. Mr. Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris and their spouses are crisscrossing the country organizing political events. And on Saturday, three Democratic groups representing people of color — the AAPI Victory Fund, the Collective PAC and the Latino Victory Fund — are backing Mr. Biden, promising to spend another $30 million to turn out their voters.

Mr. Biden often jokes about his age in small circles. But Americans are more likely to be familiar with his angry comments about a recent special counsel report, which referred to him as a “well-meaning older man with a bad memory.”

The new ad, titled “For You,” represents a shift in tone. Its prominence could appeal to younger voters, whose support Mr. Biden needs to shore up, and it will play on channels popular with a youth demographic, including ESPN, Adult Swim and Comedy Central.

The spot even includes an outtake. After the standard announcement that Mr. Biden has approved the message, an off-camera voice asks him to take another shot.

‘Look, I’m very young, energetic and handsome. What the hell am I doing this for?” Mr. Biden replies with a mischievous grin before the screen goes black.