Trump vs. Biden: What is the forecast for the 2020 Presidential Election?

It would be an understatement to say that 2020 was quite the rollercoaster. It can be easy to get caught up in the whirlwind of panic and uncertainty caused by the coronavirus pandemic, but it is also important to remember one of the most significant events of the year: the 2020 presidential election. 

The American people must now decide whether they would like to keep the current Republican president, Donald J. Trump, for another four years, or to elect into office Democratic nominee Joe Biden, who originally served as vice president for former president Barack Obama. So, how are the students of NHS feeling about the current political climate?

“It was bad. Like it was really two children arguing with each other,” said Norwood High School senior, Diana Ekechukwu when reflecting on the first debate. “I barely even remember what was discussed because it was just like, them arguing with each other.”

Similar views were expressed by Khushi Shah, another student at Norwood High. 

“I think that the overall debate was very poorly and immaturely discussed. Trump spent several of his topics discussing how great his administration is doing right now when in fact much of what he said was overcoated and superficial. Biden’s arguments were oftentimes not explaining what he believes about a certain topic. It was more about why Trump doesn’t have a plan.” 

In terms of who is looking like the better option, it seems that most people are divided. “I think one of the most important traits for a president to have is empathy,” continued Shah. “Being in such a high power like president, everyone looks up to you so it’s important to make sure you’re connected to your people and actively serving them.”

On the other hand, other students, such as Laura Maloney feel there are more significant traits that a president should have.

“I really just look for someone that shares my views. I feel like people get caught up in how good a candidate is morally. Like, not everyone is going to be a good person. You can still be a good president without being a good person.” For this reason, Maloney believes Trump is the better candidate. “I just like that he gets the job done. He does what he says he’s gonna do.”

To Maloney, one of the most important factors in her support of Trump lies in a specific issue she feels strongly about. “Definitely abortion is a big one. I’m pro-life.” Trump, an avid pro-lifer, has made his stance clear, going as far as saying that he would appoint pro-life judges onto the court to get Roe v. Wade. In addition, Trump has attempted to modify the Affordable Care Act in a way that would give employers the option to cover funds for different forms of contraceptives. As of right now, under the Affordable Care Act, employers are required to provide coverage on different forms of birth control.

For Ekechukwu, dealing with the increasing racial tensions is exponentially important in selecting the next president. “The whole white supremacy and it’s rising is really important to me. It would be good if we could just actually stop it instead of just condoning it.”

“The coronavirus and the precautions that will need to be taken after the election are super critical,” said Shah. “Also, as a 17-year-old teenager about to go into the real world, it concerns me how little conversation is held about climate change”. 

According to NASA, the global temperature has gone up by 2.0 degrees Fahrenheit, A lot of this is caused by greenhouse gases used by humans. The concern that Shah and many others have are that the increasing global temperature will cause longer, more intense heat waves and droughts, stronger hurricanes, and the melting of arctic ice which would increase the levels of seawater, all of which will be harmful to the planet and subsequently its inhabitants. 

“I need to know that my next president is taking measures to reverse climate change rather than fuel it. This is not only a problem in their generation but in my generation.” Shah said

In terms of who will win, the answer is unclear for many.

“Honestly, the way America is, I have no idea. I didn’t even think Donald Trump was gonna win in the first place like four years go. I honestly feel like people are just getting more comfortable with their racism.” said Ekechukwu.

“At the end of the day, the government is to serve the people. We are the people in charge of the government”