Washington:
Although the candidates are the same as last time, the 2024 U.S. presidential election promises to be different in other ways—both candidates will face challenges unprecedented in the 235-year history of American democracy.
Joe Biden is already putting to rest any doubts about his advanced age in 2020, but the oldest president in U.S. history will have four more candles on his birthday cake this November.
Donald Trump faced scrutiny during the last election for his conduct before and during his time in office, and now has four criminal indictments against his name – unprecedented for an American president.
Biden, 81, has little to say about his age, except to occasionally joke that his opponent is less than four years younger than him.
But Trump sought to capitalize on his legal woes – treating his appearance as a campaign rally, delivering a defiant, disgruntled speech in front of the media and cheering fans.
raise fist
The speeches themselves weren’t exactly presidential—it’s hard to imagine Abraham Lincoln lashing out at judges or slandering political opponents as “Marxist thugs”—but Trump’s loyal base relished his incendiary rhetoric and Personal dissatisfaction.
They may see more of this as jury selection begins April 15 in New York for Trump’s campaign finance violations trial.
“He likes to play the victim,” said Todd Belt, a political science professor at George Washington University.
This strategy comes at a cost. Trump has incurred hundreds of millions of dollars in legal fees — paid for in part through campaign funds.
“It also prevented him from attending MAGA rallies and blending in with the crowd,” Belt said.
The race wasn’t settled until this summer’s nominating conventions, but Trump has held just one of his signature rallies in Ohio since a rematch became all but inevitable weeks ago.
His step back is unusual for a performer who, despite his own share of verbal gaffes, likes to adopt a stiff gait as he mocks Biden, feigning confusion to the delight of supporters in the packed arena .
Trump has long disparaged his opponent as “Sleepy Joe,” but the Biden team has recently returned the compliment, shamelessly borrowing Trumpism to denounce “low-energy Don.”
“Connections between people”
Like Trump, Biden’s age could be a major obstacle as he taps into voter enthusiasm in what will be one of the longest and most arduous campaigns in history.
But he has assistants around him who play to his strengths.
In the recent campaign schedule, Democrats have been blitzing the most important swing states, including Michigan, Wisconsin, Arizona, Nevada, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania.
He has eschewed Trump’s favorite stadiums in favor of small gatherings, sometimes away from television cameras, or low-key visits to small businesses — a barbershop with an African-American clientele, a Mexican restaurant.
He will participate in kitchen table chats — regular events orchestrated by aides who send flattering videos afterwards rather than allowing reporters access.
Hunched over a hamburger and milkshake, Biden would talk to a group of undergraduates about student debt or comfort a young man suffering from his own childhood disorder, a severe stutter.
Biden has avoided interviews with national media, preferring brief exchanges with local or community media and holding few news conferences.
Ben Wikler, chairman of the Democratic Party in the swing state of Wisconsin, said: “Part of what makes President Biden a successful president is that he has good relationships with people. This is different from Trump’s large rallies.”
In recent weeks, Biden has begun to regain ground in some polls.
Armed with cash, Democratic campaigns are ramping up TV ad buying and taking a targeted approach.
But Biden’s most loyal supporters acknowledge that he needs to embrace the media spotlight if he wants voters to believe in his stamina and energy.
Belt, the political science professor, added: “They also know that he needs to go out and overcome the image that he is not young enough and not dynamic enough.”
“I think they knew they couldn’t keep hiding him.”
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
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