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Opinion | Why a Biden-Trump rematch few want could be good news for Democrats in 2024
- Americans have made it clear they would prefer neither of the two most recent US presidents in 2024, but no viable alternatives seem to exist
- Given Donald Trump’s many faults and legal troubles, appearing semi-coherent and a somewhat stable economy could be enough to carry Joe Biden to victory
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The figures are rather straightforward. US President Joe Biden’s approval ratings have hit 36 per cent in the latest polls – the low point of his tenure – and he trails in a hypothetical general election match-up against Donald Trump. These numbers notwithstanding, he remains the favourite in a rematch with his predecessor.
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Nobody was surprised when Biden announced he would run for a second term. A strong result in the 2022 midterm elections has all but ceased internal party scepticism of Biden. Many Democrats did not want him to run, but a viable alternative does not exist.
Vice-President Kamala Harris, who historically should be a natural successor to Biden, appears to lack the desired pedigree to be president. Her net favourability is lower than that of her predecessor Mike Pence compared to the same point in his tenure and well under the ratings of three previous vice-presidents.
Biden now faces the task of securing a second term that would have him turn 86 when he leaves the Oval Office for good, on a resume that frankly is not the worst.
In his first two years in office, his Democrats had thin majorities in the House of Representatives and Senate. Nonetheless, he managed to push through a sprawling Covid-19 pandemic relief plan, a US$1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure law and the US$430 billion Inflation Reduction Act, all within the first 20 months of his term.
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Joe Biden announces bid for second 4-year term as US President
Joe Biden announces bid for second 4-year term as US President
On the international stage, Biden oversaw a withdrawal from Afghanistan, led international allies to boost Ukraine following Russia’s invasion and reinvigorated alliances in Europe that were damaged under his predecessor. At the same time, Biden’s loose spending and other factors have fuelled inflation and the continuing banking crisis remains a risk for the economy.
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