Biden hits campaign trail, but does he help or hurt Democrats?

President Joe Biden has upped the tempo of his travel before the 2022 midterm elections, months after expressing his desire to return to a campaign-style schedule to underscore his accomplishments.

But now that the Russia-Ukraine war has entered another phase, the White House's renewed focus on the November contests, which will decide which party controls Congress, presents challenges for the president.

Biden's New Hampshire, Oregon, and Washington itineraries this week, after trips to Iowa and North Carolina last week, emphasize the importance he and his White House aides are placing on the midterm cycle as his average approval rating hovers around 41%, or net negative 11 percentage points.

But Biden is an inconsistent performer on the campaign trail. While he may forge inroads with persuadable voters one on one, he can just as easily distract from the White House's intended message with an off-script comment or a viral video clip.