President-Elect Joe Biden promises to 'heal' nation, pandemic first priority

"Four out of five (79%) young people say that the Coronavirus pandemic has helped them realize how much political leaders' decisions impact their lives. Three in five youth say they are part of a movement that will vote to express its views." Gallup

Updated November 2020

By Daryna Bosyuk

Staff Editor

The race between GOP President Donald Trump and Obama Vice President Joe Biden to reach 270 delegates is over: Biden reached 273 delegates the evening of Nov. 6.

During his Nov. 7 acceptance speech, Biden promised to "heal the nation," but made it clear that his first priority is to form a Coronavirus task force, a group of leading scientists to meet as early as Monday, Nov. 9.

As for outgoing President Donald Trump, he claimed "the race is far from over."

Throughout the campaign, President Trump’s national approval averaged 44%. The GOP approval of Trump is at 94% and the Democratic party approval of Trump is at 7% (news.gallup.com). Trump average five points behind Biden during the entire campaign, according to Statista.com. Biden is leading with a national 51% approval rating, due the criticism around Trump’s Coronavirus response and the Black Lives Matter (BLM) riots in the streets.

With nearly four years in office, Trump has escalated the economy and jobs, provided tax relief for 82% of the middle class, cut small businesses tax by 20%, $482 billion was invested into American projects by businesses, lowered corporate tax rate from 35% to 21%, and renegotiated NAFTA into the USMCA agreement. Trump repealed the Obamacare individual healthcare mandate, which had affected 80% of the families with an income under $50,000 and lowered healthcare prices. The FDA has approved the largest amount of generic drugs under Trump’s presidency. For more of Trump’s involvement in foreign policy, immigration, national security and defense, regulations, land and agriculture, energy, veterans, government accountability, infrastructure, and other topics, visit promiseskept.com. The people on the other side of the political aisle don't agree with Trump's immigration policy, or the fact that he denies climate change and the need for the Green New Deal.

Biden supports government aid to low-income communities, radical climate change legislation, affordable child care, and expanding federal healthcare plans, according to Britannica.com. As an example, Biden supports the Obama enacted Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and a plan for Medicaid for all. Joe Biden has high support with moderates and progressives. Biden believes the best choice for clean energy is the Green New Deal, according to joebiden.com. Biden promises to provide tax relief for the middle class. In his first debate with Trump, Biden said that he will repeal Trump’s tax cuts. Biden aspires to end gun violence by making guns less accessible to certain individuals and passing legislation to limit the amount of firearms a person may purchase. To see Biden's full plan for our country, visit joebiden.com. The people on the other side of the political aisle disagree with Biden's gun control policies, and believe he will raise taxes instead of lowering them for the middle-class American.

The first debate between Trump and Joe Biden on Sept. 29, gave no real, in-depth answers to the questions most people wanted to know. Due to the Coronavirus, the debates are the best way for American to get to know the candidates and what they stand for, now more than ever. The second debate, scheduled for Oct. 15 at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts in Miami, Florida, did not take place when Trump tested positive for Covid-19. Two individual Town Halls on two separate networks took place instead. The Vice Presidential Debate took place on Oct. 7 at Kingsbury Hall in Salt Lake City, between VP Mike Pence and Biden’s VP pick Kamala Harris. The candidates were seated 12 feet apart to maintain social distancing. The final Presidential Debate took place on Oct. 22 at Belmont University in Tennessee. All the debates were live on most major U.S. networks and PBS.

Both candidates are campaigning themselves as saviours of the economy who will increase job numbers and and provide comprehensive healthcare. The candidates are divided on their view of China and their policies. Trump believes in making "America first," while Biden wants to continue working together with other countries through international organizations, like the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Paris Agreement.