As we gear up toward a presidential election in which there is an incumbent eligible to run again, it’s important to note who and who may not be that man’s biggest contender going into 2024. But as Biden says, there might not be any real difference this go round.
Naturally, two of the biggest names for the Republican Party looking ahead are former President Donald Trump and big-hitting Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.
As one of the nation’s few one-term presidents, Trump is eligible to run again and, as you likely, already know, has officially made an announcement with his intention to do just that. While still remaining highly controversial, his popularity still seems to be through the roof.
As for DeSantis, he hasn’t made any statements even hinting at a possible presidential run thus far. However, his popularity is already right up there with Trump’s, even beating him in some polls.
And people all across the nation are already referring to him as “America’s governor.” At this point, it would be quite easy to transfer to “America’s Commander in Chief.”
Now, as you know, while both can run for the Republican nomination, only one can win and make it run against Biden, or whoever the Democrats choose, in the general election.
And when it comes to that point, it’s anyone’s guess.
The question for both Republicans and Democrats is who will be the tougher opponent for the Dems.
It’s one that was recently posed to Biden in an interview with Mexican anchor Julio Vaqueiro. Biden’s response was one of indifference.
“I have no idea.” And when pressed about it more, he again said, “Seriously. I have no idea.”
But Vaqueiro wasn’t letting him get away with such an answer and so asked again, wondering if there would be a difference between a race run against either, given the “polarization of the country” that Biden often talks about.
This time Biden gave more of an answer, but still, one that didn’t give us a name.
He basically said that there wouldn’t be much of a difference in his mind. Why? Because the two Republicans have “similar modus operandi” or work in very similar ways.
Now, I think we can all agree that Biden’s mind isn’t exactly what it used to be. However, to some degree, this statement of his is still very true.
I mean, one of the things that people love so much about Trump (his boldness to say what he thinks) is also what they hate about him. And he’s proven time and time again that when he has a goal in mind, little will stop him from achieving it.
DeSantis has proven to be the same way. When Disney didn’t like his new laws, he made them eat their words and rescinded their elite status in his state. And like Trump, he’s fought to eradicate “establishment” politicians who don’t actually serve the people.
But does Biden actually not have a preference about which of these two men he would rather debate, take on head to head, and challenge?
They aren’t saying much if he does or if his handlers do.
Of course, the reason they may not is very likely because, as I hinted before, Biden might not be the man for the Democrats anymore. While he, like Trump, has only served in the Oval Office for one term so far, it’s become clear that he might not be up to the task of another one.
He is, after all, the oldest-ever sitting president. And at age 80, just about everyone is beginning to question his fitness for office.
There is also the fact that he’s not nearly as popular as he once was, even if people just chose him because he wasn’t Trump. In fact, as he jokingly said after mentioning that he and his wife were still trying to decide whether running again was the right option, Jill Biden is far more popular with the Democratic Party.
Could this be a hint that she would run instead of him? At this point, it’s all up in the air. And so is who would make a more challenging opponent.
