With the 2020 US presidential election drawing ever closer, its time to start facing up to the reality of what the next four years will look like with the winner at the helm. Whether its incumbent President Donald Trump, or Democratic challenger Joe Biden, who wins the election, there will be plenty of work to do in the years ahead.
At the moment, its Biden who has the advantage in the national polls, as well as the next US President odds from Betfair. As a result, many Americans are beginning to imagine what these next few years are going to look like under Bidens leadership. Of course, the result of the election is by no means a done thing, and Trump proved in 2016 that the polls dont always indicate how close an election campaign might be. But, for now, lets examine just what four years under Biden will entail.
Tackling the coronavirus pandemic
Naturally, the most pressing concern for whoever wins the presidential election will be to tackle the global pandemic sweeping the world and bring the nation safely forwards. This is easier said than done, of course, and the US has already felt the full force of the virus, with over 200,000 Americans having lost their lives to Covid-19.
Biden has presented a much more cautious approach towards the virus than Trump, and it would be interesting to see how he puts his views into action in terms of saving lives while protecting the economy. Indeed, if the effects of the virus begins to diminish due to the success of a potential vaccine, another major challenge facing Biden will be to stimulate growth in the economy and create jobs for the many thousands who are unemployed as a result of the pandemic.
Similar to the Obama administration?
If Biden does win the election, he will become the latest President who has previously served as Vice-President. He was Barack Obamas right-hand man for the duration of the Democrats presidency from 2009 to 2017, and so hell have plenty of experience of what it takes to work in the White House.
It will be interesting to discover to what extent Bidens policies and actions mirror those of Obama. There were many who questioned Obamas views on issues like healthcare and foreign policy, and one wonders whether a Biden presidency would be a return to the Obama administration, or would Biden attempt to forge his own path.
Healing divisions across America
Another key issue facing the US is the level of division which has festered across the country in recent years. Issues such as race relations and the lack of affordable healthcare have created divisions within society, and Biden will have a tough task on his hands to bring greater peace to the nation and sow the seeds of change.
But while a Biden win would be a win for the Democratic Party, there will be many within the party and among the partys voters who will feel that Bidens policies and viewpoints do not go far enough against those of Trump and the Republicans. As Democratic candidates go, he is not as left-leaning as the candidates he defeated to win the nomination the likes of Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren so it will be fascinating to see if Biden can bring healing across America, or whether his presidency would simply put the anger on hold before it bubbles up once more.