As the United States hurtles towards another presidential election, the air is thick with excitement, anticipation, and a touch of bewilderment.

Picture this: America, land of the free, home of the brave, and every four years, the epicenter of the wildest political circus on Earth.

It’s like a reality TV show meets a high-stakes game of Monopoly, with candidates rolling the dice and hoping to pass "Go" straight into the White House.

To gain a clearer understanding of the presidential race, it is helpful to examine the backgrounds and accomplishments as well as challenges faced by prominent figures such as Joe Biden, Donald Trump, and Kamala Harris.

Joe Biden

Joe Biden, affectionately known as "Uncle Joe" to many, is a seasoned politician whose journey to the presidency is as storied as it is inspiring. He was chosen as Vice President during Barack Obama's term. As Vice President, Biden played a pivotal role in shaping the administration's domestic and foreign policies, notably overseeing the implementation of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act in response to the 2008 financial crisis. In November 2020, Joe Biden emerged victorious in a hard-fought election, becoming the 46th President of the United States. As President, Biden’s administration has focused on rolling out COVID-19 vaccines, rebuilding the economy, advancing environmental protections, and addressing systemic racism and inequality.

He has faced severe criticism due to the chaotic withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan in August 2021. The rapid collapse of the Afghan government and the chaotic scenes at Kabul airport led to widespread disapproval over the execution and planning of the withdrawal. Also, under Biden’s administration, the U.S. experienced significant inflation, which became a major concern for many Americans.

Donald Trump

Donald J. Trump, the 45th President of the United States, has always believed in America's immense potential to surpass its past achievements. Renowned for his success in real estate, sports, and entertainment, Trump entered politics and won the presidency in his first attempt. He announced his candidacy on June 16, 2015, and secured the Republican nomination in July 2016 after outlasting 17 other contenders. During his presidency, Trump led a major national effort against COVID-19, launching Operation Warp Speed to expedite vaccine development. His administration also enacted the largest financial relief package in U.S. history, established advanced testing systems, and developed effective treatments, all aimed at combating the pandemic and saving lives.

Trump’s role in the events leading up to the January 6 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol was a significant source of controversy. His claims of election fraud were seen by many as inciting the violent breach of the Capitol by his supporters. Trump’s administration implemented a "zero tolerance" immigration policy that led to the separation of thousands of migrant children from their families at the U.S.-Mexico border. The policy was widely condemned as inhumane and led to significant backlash, including concerns about the long-term impact on the separated children and families.

Also recently, there was an assassination attempt on Trump where he was struck in the ear by a bullet which caused a political uproar.

Kamala Harris

On January 20, 2021, Kamala Harris made history by being sworn in as the first woman, first Black American, and first South Asian American Vice President of the United States.

In her role, Harris has concentrated on enhancing opportunities and safeguarding fundamental rights. Her initiatives have included championing women's reproductive rights, addressing gun violence, protecting voting rights, and advancing environmental protections. Moreover, she has significantly contributed to international relations, visiting over 19 countries, engaging with more than 150 global leaders, and reinforcing international alliances.

As Vice President, Kamala Harris was tasked with addressing the root causes of migration and managing the border crisis. Her handling of this issue has gotten her a lot of hate. Harris has struggled with communication and public perception issues. Critics argue that her handling of certain issues has lacked clarity and effectiveness.

All of the leaders mentioned above have encountered their own share of public criticism.

For the upcoming election, initially Biden was representing Democrats and Trump was representing the Republican party. In their debate recently on CNN, the contrast between the 81-year-old President Joe Biden and his 78-year-old challenger, former President Donald Trump, appeared significant. Biden, whose voice was hoarse and lacked vocal range, often struggled to clearly articulate his differences with Trump.

At one point, after Biden had trailed off while defending his record on border security, Trump remarked, "I really don’t know what he said at the end of that sentence. I don’t think he knows what he said, either."

Trump, at times reiterated his familiar election denialism. Although he stated he would accept the results of the 2024 election if they were "fair and legal," he continued to propagate false claims about fraud in the 2020 election.

For Biden, the most critical task during the debate was to address voters' concerns about his age and shift the focus of the election to a referendum on Trump. He was however unable to do this effectively. Despite regularly attacking Biden's age, Trump was relatively restrained during the president’s frequent verbal missteps.

After President Biden's disastrous debate performance, he faced mounting criticism from Democratic officials. Many publicly urged him to step aside from the presidential race. Behind the scenes, there were also numerous efforts to persuade Biden to reconsider his candidacy in the days leading up to July 21.

On that date, Biden declared his decision to exit the race. In his letter to the nation, he refrained from elaborating on the factors that influenced his choice.

He stated, "While it has been my intention to seek re-election, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to step down and focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term."

He added that he has chosen not to accept the nomination and would instead dedicate all his efforts to his duties as President for the rest of his term. He further said that he was proud of his decision to select Kamala Harris as his Vice President and he fully supports Kamala as Democrat's party’s nominee.

Thus finally, Kamala Harris and Donald Trump will compete against each other in the upcoming election.

Donald Trump has spoken against Kamala Harris by claiming that she would appoint hundreds of extreme far-left judges to impose what he described as radical and liberal values on Americans nationwide. Additionally, Trump targeted Harris with an old tactic of mispronouncing and mocking her name, which drew significant backlash. He also mocked her for laughing, but her supporters turned this criticism around, using it to highlight and defend her demeanor.

Harris is beginning to close the gap, with polls indicating that both candidates are benefiting in distinct ways. She is experiencing a boost in popularity and making significant gains among various demographic groups. Meanwhile, Trump is benefiting from his continued strong support among his base and achieving his highest favorability ratings of the election.

While Harris gains momentum and Trump consolidates his base, one thing’s for sure: this election will be a spectacle to behold. Expect everything from heated debates to unexpected plot twists. As Americans brace themselves for the political rollercoaster ahead, let’s remember: in the grand circus of democracy, the show must go on. Buckle up, grab your popcorn, and enjoy the ride—because in this wild game of politics, anything can happen, and the entertainment is guaranteed.

.    .    .

References:

• www.cnn.com
• www.thetimes.com
• www.whitehouse.gov
• www.trumpwhitehouse.archives.gov