We all remember the tumultuous times leading up to the 2020 election. COVID-19 was in full threat with its nationwide outbreaks, and there was surmountable social unrest over the George Floyd killing. Trump wished to open up the economy quickly, reducing the current recession the economy was in. Biden issued a more cautious approach, highlighting the importance of the nation’s overall health and negligence in different aspects of the economy. This information led to a discerning society, causing the highest voter turnout in the history of presidential elections with 154.6 million voter ballot pools (66 percent of voters with voting rights). There were many different arguments and opinions that this election highlighted. Many conservative critics questioned Trump’s boastful leadership style and how he engaged on social media. Subsequently, democratic critics argued Biden would be too centrist and moderate in his policy positions, especially pertaining to healthcare, climate change and justice reform. Although Trump’s team argued a fraudulent election, Joe Biden was still elected president in January, winning 306 out of 538 electoral college votes.
As we shift towards the 2024 election this November, many of the previous cultural and economic issues from the 2020 election are not headline issues, but there is still a need for a shift in office. All of the anger and despair that was felt by our society throughout the 2020 election process is something that no one in our society wants to endure, but true hearts may prevail and reveal the worst. Currently, Donald Trump and Joe Biden are the head candidates in their respective parties, and a rematch is foreseeable. When analyzing these 2 head candidates, freshman economics student Will Anderson stated how, “I think Joe Biden has reached an age where he is not mentally stable enough to be president. When Trump was in office, there was sustainable economic growth and that is not seen in our present economy”. Of the major issues that a rematch would entail, the main problem that arises is the age of the candidates, with Trump being 77 and Biden being 81. I don’t believe that our nation would benefit from someone at the head of office who may have serious health concerns or public speaking issues attributed to old age.
Republican Party Standpoint
As the 2024 presidential election nears, Republican officials and supporters are hoping to shift gears towards a crackdown on immigration border control and tariffs on imports of goods. As Biden has stayed in office, Republican officials and supporters have questioned Biden’s handling of his family business dealings. Additionally, conservative supporters want a more authoritative figure that can make better decisions about economic policy to help the economy grow. A Republican figure with a boastful personality like Donald Trump may have his personal drawbacks, but there is no question that his economic success during his time in office could be repeated, causing conservatives to long for him to be back in office.
Democratic Party Standpoint
Democratic officials are sick and tired of the turmoil that was afflicted upon them through Trump’s 2016-2020 presidential campaign. They believe that he was dishonest in his word and inefficiently and unethically handled the COVID-19 pandemic. Although his flamboyant personality may help him push policies and help his overall economic success, understanding the drawbacks of treating people disrespectfully. The image that you portray to the United States, country and the world as a whole is crucial, and Donald Trump doesn’t represent how a president should handle himself.
Independent Party Standpoint
Those in the independent political landscape may believe that there is a need for new leadership in office besides the candidates Trump and Biden. Currently, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is the leading independent candidate. He has experience as an attorney and activist from California, and is the nephew of John F. Kennedy, the 35th president of the United States from 1961-1963. Freshman undecided CSOM student Charlie Rausch says, “The lack of party influence gives Kennedy the freedom to make choices and have opinions that are untainted by the motives of the two-party system.” The two-party system in the United States is being controlled by large corporations and the military industrial complex, and this takes power away from the citizens of the United States and puts it to those in economic power.
Overall Outlook
No matter how much we despise it, the outlook for the 2024 election is leaning towards a Donald Trump and Joe Biden rematch. Currently, Donald Trump is without a VP candidate, as Mike Pence resigned from the campaign, stating he has “no regrets”. Other potential candidates from the democratic side include Cenk Uygur (political commentator / social media host) and American author Marianne Williamson. It will be interesting to see how these other candidates evolve throughout the election process. This may be the year that an independent candidate may challenge the top 2 parties’ primary officials, but time will tell how the election pans out.
