SSP Diaries | US presidential race projections

THE US Presidential Race is heating up every day, understandably so since November is just around the corner. There can be no postponement in their system, barring a catastrophe. The following represents my projections of the race between President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump.

It is a very confusing situation that in many ways defies logic. In the 1960s and ‘70s, the Western World – mainly the US, Canada, the UK, inclusive of Western Europe – basically, ridiculed the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics for the age of their leaders, most of whom appeared to be old, being well over 70 years old. With Biden and Trump in the current race, the world’s most advanced economy has taken a leaf straight out of the former Soviet’s book.

Biden’s physical appearance doesn’t give the impression that he will be able to complete a second term. He appears to be growing more and more frail as each year passes. The fact that he is under ever-increasing scrutiny by the media, who report every mishap whether justified or not, puts the elderly president under an enormous amount of pressure, and he is determined to prove otherwise.

I think he should just be himself; people respect age and the issues that go with it. Biden might just be better off admitting his ‘frailties’ and allowing his intellectual capacity and track record to be the elements most focused on by the public. His PR staff should be able to do this quite easily.

Trump is also ageing rapidly, and he does not appear to be as energetic as he was in the 2016 campaign and during his four-year term as president. The records attest to the fact that he is also having mishaps, but for some reason, these are not readily reported by mainstream media. Is there media bias? This is worth looking into.

Apart from the mishaps, there is an enormous legal albatross resting upon his shoulders, which he is desperately trying to shake off before November this year. There is no doubt, too, in any sensible person’s mind, that Trump has a difficulty with the truth and is increasingly power hungry. These are attributes that stand out a mile. Why would any sane individual consider this candidate for a second time in office? I really can’t explain as I am not American.

Biden has signified his willingness to carry the torch for the Democrats. He has no rival now and is not likely to have any going forward. The president is, however, working assiduously to lose the election for his party.

The Israeli-Palestine conflict in Gaza is rapidly causing the Democrats to become embroiled in a situation that can only be disastrous for them due to the government’s unwavering support for genocidal atrocities and other breaches of international law by Israel.

The essence of the problem is simply that the US has demonstrated an inability to dictate terms as it did in its heyday, when it ‘ruled the roost’, so to speak. It cannot control Israel, it is not winning the war for the Ukraine, it has lost influence throughout the Arab countries, and it shies away from making any solid commitments in Haiti. This is a perfect recipe for political suicide.

Now Trump has no concept of the value of foreign relations. His history speaks to establishing friendships with those he believes he can manipulate for his own designs. Governing for Trump revolves around putting himself and his desires first, and everything else, a distant second. He talks a good talk for those likely to benefit from his antics, but clearly, he lacks the ability to think strategically, develop statesmanship, or be taken seriously by his peers across the globe. His legal battles are insurmountable. He has backed himself into a corner with both state and federal systems, and with his team unable to control him, he continuously digs holes for himself.

What then do I think will happen or what is the bottom line? The Republicans need to rally around a new candidate before it is too late. Former President Trump is going to be convicted before November 2024, leaving Biden to cross the finish line first, winning his second term. However, for health reasons, he will be able to do only two years, before handing over to his vice president, allowing the Democrats to rally around a much younger figure for 2028! What a political calamity, I am glad I am not American!