The other 2024 race
2024 is bound to be an election laden season in India and we have talked a lot about it. In the chaos of the Israel-Hamas war and upcoming assembly elections in India, there is another political event that the world will be closely following. November 2024 will see the US presidential elections which could see the sitting president fight it out with a former president. Yes, you heard it right. An ousted president may well be fighting back to claim the coveted oval office again. While there is still over 12 months before the elections take place, the US presidential candidate selection is exhaustive, and the race has already begun.
The initial analysis points to a very tough race with over 20 candidates across the Republican, Democrats, and Independents in the race to claim their nominations to urn in the race for POTUS. A deeper look indicates that the presidential election is likely to be a repeat of 2020 election between Joe Biden and Donald Trump (Yes, he’s back). The elections could still throw surprises but the current trend across parties look predictable with a clear sign of US not looking for a major change.
Republicans
The Republicans have over 12 contenders for the presidential nominee slot but there are only two people who really stand a chance to bag the ticket. One is the incumbent nominee; Donald Trump and the challenger is Ron DeSantis. Both are of the Trump policy mold, but it is Donald Trump who holds the aces and is likely to secure the nomination. Yes, a candidate with four felony charges. That is going to be historical. Ron DeSantis is set to finish a distant second in the race while the remaining 10+ candidates are only going to get the popularity increase or secure some endorsements and set the base for 2028 elections.
Verdict: Donald Trump to represent the Republicans in November 2024 elections
Democrats
Never has it happened in history that a sitting president in USA has lost the nomination of the party. Joe Biden is not different despite his approval ratings plummeting owing to world events and impending recession in USA. He is strongly supported by the party and there is no one close to challenging his position as the incumbent nominee. Even the likes of Kamala Harris, Cenk Uygur or Dean Phillips do not stand a chance to win against Joe Biden on that coveted Democrat ticket.
Verdict: The oldest president of USA is set to stake claim for a 2nd term and establish his eternity in the Oval Office.
Independent
Every US election throws a bunch of independent candidates, and this time is no different. We have a Kennedy (Robert F Kennedy Jr) staking claim for an independent ticket. On the other hand, philosophers like Cornel West are also placing themselves as a left field candidate to become the president. Now a lot of them may be inspired from Mike Prince from Billions but he never really got going as well.
So who is going to be the next president of USA?
It is too early to place the bets, but the stand off between Donald Trump and Joe Biden could throw any surprise for the world. Joe Biden’s image and approval rating have been severely dumped by the public. On the other hand, Donald Trump is just a maverick who continues to surprise everyone by staying in political limelight without any politics but felonies. Only time will tell whether the result will be as predictable as 2020 or as surprising as 2016.
