Not since the 1892 presidential election where former president Grover Cleveland won back his seat in the Oval Office from incumbent Benjamin Harrison, has the United States witnessed a race like 2024 could potentially offer with Trump vs Biden; a showdown between two incumbents.
President Joe Biden, who won office in 2020, would obviously be seeking re-election as the incumbent. However, the interesting spin is his most likely rival; former President Donald Trump, who held office prior to Biden and was defeated by the latter in the 2020 race. Trump’s potential candidacy provides the unprecedented scenario of two incumbents battling for presidency, ushering echoes of the 1892 scenario.
This unique battle will undoubtedly come with a new set of challenges and opportunities. For President Biden, he would be tasked with defending his administration and its accomplishments over the past term. His campaign would be expected to center on the progress made in his tenure, most likely focusing on the management of the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change policies, and his Build Back Better plan.
For former President Trump, it would be enforced to reclaim his position and revise the narrative that led to his defeat in 2020. Trump’s strategy might revolve around questioning Biden’s actions and decisions during his presidency, while also emphasizing his own achievements during his 2016-2020 tenure. High among them could be the economy’s state pre-COVID-19, his tax reforms, and foreign policy decisions.
It’s not just a proposed battle of physical candidacy but of ideologies as well. The left-leaning approach of Biden and his progressive measures would be weighed against Trump’s unorthodox, right-leaning practices. Biden’s pandemic management via vaccine mandates, mask enforcement, and financial aid will be put against Trump’s deregulation policies and America-first focus.
Furthermore, the influence of ongoing national and international issues cannot be understated. The state of the economy, changes in global political dynamics, new social norms, and evolving electoral demographics all have the power to influence voter preferences. These factors will have considerable weight when gauging public sentiment leading to 2024.
This potential face-off also indicates the towering presence of these two figures in American politics who continue to dominate their respective parties. While multiple potential candidates exist within both parties, the Biden and Trump rivalry seems to overshadow the possibility of new faces taking the lead.
Lastly, a Trump vs Biden 2024 race will undoubtedly spotlight the polarized state of American politics highlighted in the 2020 election. The divide isn’t just across party lines but within them as well. While Biden and Trump preside over their parties, their respective vice presidents, progressive and conservative wings, and a new generation of politicians have their own substantial followings. Getting these factions to rally behind a single candidate might pose a significant challenge.
In sum, if the 2024 election does see a Trump vs Biden rematch, it would offer a unique dynamic unseen since 1892. More than the novelty of the situation, this potential election stands to shape not just policy trajectories but also the broader cultural, societal, and ideological future of America.
