Biden, Trump secure nominations for rematch election

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
13 Mar 2024 10:06

The results in Georgia, Mississippi, and Washington state have been predictable, with neither Biden nor Trump facing substantial challenges.

A US voter fills out a ballot. (AFP VIA GETTY IMAGES)

President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump secured their respective parties' presidential nominations on Tuesday through significant victories in several primaries, paving the way for a general election rematch that isn't favored by many voters.

The results in Georgia, Mississippi, and Washington states were predictable, with neither Biden nor Trump facing substantial challenges. However, the overwhelming margin of their victories ensured that each candidate obtained the necessary delegate majority to secure their party's nomination at the upcoming national conventions.

Before reaching the midpoint of the presidential primary calendar, Tuesday represented a pivotal moment for a country grappling with its options in 2024.

It is now evident that the upcoming fall election will see a repeat match between two widely unpopular presidents. At 81, Biden holds the distinction of being the oldest president in US history, while Trump, aged 77, faces potential decades in prison as a defendant in four criminal cases. This rematch, a rare occurrence featuring two US presidents, is likely to further exacerbate the nation's profound political and cultural divides throughout the demanding eight-month campaign period ahead.

War of words continues

Biden issued a statement celebrating his nomination while portraying Trump as a significant threat to democracy.

Trump, Biden said, “is running a campaign of resentment, revenge, and retribution that threatens the very idea of America.”

He added, “I am honored that the broad coalition of voters representing the rich diversity of the Democratic Party across the country have put their faith in me once again to lead our party — and our country — in a moment when the threat Trump poses is greater than ever.”

In a video shared on social media, Trump rejoiced in what he described as “a great day of victory.”

“But now we have to get back to work because we have the worst president in the history of our country,” Trump said of Biden. “So, we’re not going to take time to celebrate. We’ll celebrate in eight months when the election is over.”

Both candidates secured substantial victories in Tuesday's primaries across swing-state Georgia, deeply conservative Mississippi, and Democratic-leaning Washington. Voting in Hawaii's Republican caucus was scheduled for a later time.

However, despite their confident rhetoric, neither presumptive nominee faces an easy road ahead.

Dive deeper

Trump is currently facing 91 felony charges across four criminal cases, including accusations related to mishandling classified documents and attempting to overturn the 2020 election results, among other alleged offenses. He is also facing growing scrutiny regarding his policy agendas.

Meanwhile, Biden, who would be 86 years old at the conclusion of his next term if re-elected, is striving to reassure a skeptical electorate about his physical and mental capability to effectively serve in the nation's highest office. Both Democratic and Republican voters have expressed dissatisfaction with Biden's handling of immigration and inflation issues.

Biden is also under scrutiny for his steadfast support of "Israel," with some critics accusing him of complicity in the genocidal Israeli war against Palestinians in Gaza, which has resulted in the killing of at least 31,184 people, mostly women and children.

While Biden was preparing to speak before Congress on March 8, protesters assembled outside the US Capitol with their own message, “Stop funding Israel” and “Complete ceasefire now”.

Near the Capitol, protesters unfurled a Palestinian flag across the avenue, spanning the size of a swimming pool. They displayed signs declaring "Biden's legacy is genocide" and "End the occupation."

Biden also faces growing discontent within his party's progressive wing, angered by what they perceive as his insufficient actions to halt the ongoing Israeli aggression on Gaza. Activists and religious leaders in Washington urged Democrats to vote "uncommitted" to express their frustration.