Analysis: US presidential race and candidate campaigns

2024-07-05 20:22:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

Analysis: US presidential race and candidate campaigns

AMN-POL EEUU-DEBATE-MOMENTOS CLAVE

USA- President Joe Biden again acknowledged his poor condition during last week's debate with potential opponent Donald Trump, but insists he will stay in the presidential race. VOA correspondent Scott Stearns analyzes the campaigns of the two candidates as Americans celebrate Independence Day.

In an election year, for the July 4 celebrations, America's Independence Day, party supporters usually wave flags and campaign patriotically. But this year, none of the leading candidates were on the campaign trail after their first debate last week. President Joe Biden is trying to reassure supporters after his poor showing, while his challenger Donald Trump wants to keep the focus on his opponent.

In an interview with Wisconsin radio station WAUK, Mr. Biden said he did not have a good debate last Thursday.

"It was a bad night. And the fact is, I made mistakes. But I learned from my father that when you fall, you have to get back up," he declared.

Mr. Biden's campaign team is trying to help him by showing that he still has the support of Democrats.

“I'm here to tell you that President Joe Biden is poised to win the race. And all of us promised him our maximum support", declared the Governor of New York.

On the other hand, Mr. Trump's allies in Congress are fueling the debate within the Democratic Party about Mr. Biden.

"I think they know they have a serious problem. But it is not only political. It's not just the Democratic Party. It's the whole country. We have a serious problem here, because we have a president who is apparently not up to the task, and these are very dangerous times," declared Mike Johnson, the Republican Speaker of the House of Representatives.

The CNN poll after the first debate shows that 56 percent of Democrats and Democratic-leaning registered voters now say they have a better chance of winning with a candidate other than Mr. Biden.

University of Texas history professor Jeremi Suri says candidates' campaigns have their ups and downs, but questions about Mr. Biden's health will linger for a long time.

"He can still win this election. In fact, he may still be the favorite to win this election if he stands, but his campaign team hoped the controversy would calm rumors about his health. Concerns about his health will not stop. They will be with us every day of the campaign if he continues," he says.

Trump's campaign team did not hold any public events this week, but said in a statement that "activities are continuing to raise as much funds as possible and to continue the campaign in the fall as prepared as possible for a historic victory."

Mr. Trump wished for the 4th of July through a video posted on the social network "Truth Social", where he emphasizes that "America is one of the greatest stories ever told."

"We will never forget that we are Americans and the future belongs to us. The spirit of American independence will never fade, never fail, but will reign forever and ever. I wish every citizen throughout the country a glorious Independence Day," he declared.

As the Republican Party prepares for its political convention this month, Trump is looking to capitalize and portray himself as a moderate while his opponent faces criticism, experts say.

"What Donald Trump would like to do is not only show that he has energy, but show that he is restrained. So he will look like he is not a liar in front of a weak candidate, but a weak candidate is in front of a reasonable candidate", says Jeremi Suri, Professor of history at the University of Texas

From July 4 to election day in November, Biden and Trump have another 125 days to convince voters that they are the right choice./ VOA