Jack Newhall, Freshman
It’s already been four years since, what some refer to as the difficult and contentious presidential election between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump. This year the two major candidates are former Vice President, Joseph Biden (Democratic) and current President, Donald Trump (Republican). The United States Presidential Election is only eight days away; many on both the right and the left believe that the results decide the fate of America.
The candidates' goals, for their hopeful upcoming term as president, comprise plans to better the economy, by creating new jobs, and to bring an end to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, their party driven agendas contrast greatly. On one hand, Joe Biden’s vision, according to the “Joe’s Vision” page on his website, includes plans to make a “clean energy future” and create “racial equality” in America. Joe Biden’s has a tax plan that will raise taxes for people that make more than $400,000 a year. This money will be used to make the “clean energy future” and pay for other new healthcare plans. Donald Trump’s agenda, on the other hand, includes “stopping endless wars and bringing our troops home” and “ending illegal immigration and protecting American workers.” Donald Trump also has released the “Platinum Plan” which is described as a 500 billion dollar investment into the black community; its goal is to create new black owned businesses along with more jobs, safer streets, and more economical health care. If this plan is implemented, it would allow school choice for better education for African Americans living where some schools are substandard.
Presidential debates have occurred since 1960; this year the Commission of Presidential Debates originally was set on three debates between Donald Trump and Joe Biden before the election in November. The first presidential debate, moderated by Chris Wallace on September 29, was considered a “disaster” by many people. The left says that Biden won and the right says that Trump won. Both candidates threw insults; Biden called Trump a “liar” and a “clown”, while Donald Trump made remarks such as, “there is nothing smart about you, Joe” and spoke of Joe's son, Hunter Biden’s discharge from the navy as a result of a drug problem. A second debate, originally scheduled for October 15, was switched to virtual, due to the president’s COVID-19 case, but was later canceled after Trump refused to participate. The third debate took place on October 22, where there were almost no interruptions during this debate. Both candidates went on the attack in this debate, with Donald Trump defending his leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic. The roles then switched with Joe Biden being attacked over alleged dealings with foreign countries such as an Ukraine energy company. In the vice presidential debate, which differed from the presidential debate, there were fewer interruptions and insults and was between Vice President Micheal Pence and Senator Kamala Harris. It was moderated by Susan Page who works for USA Today.
Polls from the New York Times currently suggest that more people will vote for Biden (50%) than Trump (41%) with the rest of the votes going to more subsidiary parties. It is unclear how realistic these polls are and if these numbers apply in the swing states where the votes matter the most. This year there are a multitude of different ways to vote; states like Oregon only have mail in ballots while other states have mail in voting as well as in person options. Both Democrats and Republicans as well as private companies and businesses are pressuring citizens to vote no matter what. They give the message that no matter what type of change you want, it will only happen if citizens vote.
Works Cited
“Donald J. Trump for President.” Home, 2020, www.donaldjtrump.com/.
Joe Biden for President: Official Campaign Website, 22 Oct. 2020, joebiden.com/.
Langer, Gary. “Election Advantage Stays with Biden; Enthusiasm Deficit Eases, but Remains: POLL.” ABC News, ABC News Network, 2020, abcnews.go.com/PollingUnit/election-advantage-stays-biden-enthusiasm-deficit-eases-remains/story?id=72356854.
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