Race To The Podium

How America’s Current Frontrunners Fare in Opposition

B. N. Dent

AS THE 2024 US PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION looms ever closer, you would think that the frontrunners would start to get their act together, right?

You would think that they would want to be putting their best foot forward by making logical decisions and upholding a formidable public image. However, over the past few months, we have essentially seen the opposite unfold as the future leaders of America have been placing themselves in the spotlight for predominantly wrongful reasons. With this, the degree of tribalism and political unrest continues to intensify within Uncle Sam’s Dominion. 

I’m currently studying William Shakespeare’s King Lear for Advanced English (something to look forward to for all you eager word-lovers), and every time I look at US political news, the parallels between this fictional play and our current reality become ever clearer. So, let’s have a look at the frontrunners and some of the silly shenanigans they have gotten themselves into as of late. To give some context, the most recent nationwide presidential polls for the 2024 election show a split with 43% of voters electing Trump, 43% electing Biden, and 14% not voting – probably the decision I would make with the current candidates. Nevertheless, let’s get into the alpha males currently leading their red/blue packs.

For the Democrats, coming in at the young and mentally optimal age of 80, we have current president Joe Biden or “Sleepy Joe ” as labelled by main competitor, Donald Trump. However, as I review the recent inaccuracies during President Biden’s term, I aim to avoid fixating solely on the prominent traits that the right-wing media has targeted. 

These areas of target include allegations such as him nodding off during interviews or his struggle, nine times out of ten, to articulate cohesive thoughts. The rationale behind the right-wing media’s focus on these attributes stems from the seamlessness in being able to present these aspects to their audience as the core shortcomings of their present leader. Rather than opting for a more difficult and intricate approach, such as critiquing Biden’s foreign policy acumen, these media outlets are choosing the straightforward path, confident that their audience will eat it up. I guess that’s the job of media outlets: to put down what their audience will pick up, but in the case of Biden, I think that it has led to a misrepresentation of his value as president, and this has been perpetuated by memes and TikToks which have heavily influenced younger generations’ perception of their leader. 

Nevertheless, let’s take a look at some of Biden’s recent shortcomings in the political realm. Specifically, his inadequate management of the United States’ trade relationship with China. Upon election, Biden was posed with the conundrum of whether he should be accommodating to China or follow in the steps of his predecessor in worsening US-China relations which had hit a low-point under the Trump administration. Initially, it seemed as though the Biden administration was going to try and rekindle their relationship with China, as we saw the president decreasing trade restrictions previously imposed on the nation and desiring to meet with Chinese leaders more frequently. However, since February of this year, with threats of China invading Taiwan and the Chinese spy balloon incident, Biden’s political agenda regarding China has majorly shifted. This transformation is evident in his imposition of substantial trade restrictions and tariffs on China, strategically aimed at undermining their economic prowess and diminishing their overall influence. These restrictions have been met with complementary trade policies from China, which has in turn, shattered the level of international trade between the two nations. 

Biden’s most recent weapon in this economic warfare was banning private sector investment into the most sensitive technologies of China. So, although Biden may be appealing to some voters who might be anti-China or anti-globalisation, he is also creating the possibility for the US to face long-term economic consequences. The predominant source of America’s imports from China is rooted in the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of Chinese goods. Disrupting this symbiotic connection would compel the United States to turn to pricier imports, potentially exacerbating the financial strain on an already heavily indebted nation. 

Now, coming in for the Republicans, at 6’3” and 215 pounds (according to the Atlanta gaol report) we have former President and billionaire Donald J. Trump. Unlike Biden, this man’s recent shenanigans are far more black and white. Just a week ago, Trump turned himself into Fulton County Jail and became the first ever former president to have a mugshot taken. He is currently facing a total of 13 criminal allegations relating to interfering in Georgia’s 2020 election in an attempt to have it overruled. Trump has labelled these charges as a political persecution. And whilst there is a chance that he may be innocent, the image of an upcoming presidential candidate in goal is very bad for his campaign.

Former US President Abraham Lincoln once said: “Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man’s character, give him power.” This sentiment finds resonance in the recent deeds of both Biden and Trump, and as political uncertainty looms, it lays the groundwork for a captivating 2024 election.