The 2016 Presidential Election - Essay Sample

Introduction

The 2016 presidential election was arguably among the most divisive American in the history of American elections. It was also an instrumental event that sent ripples throughout the world. The pollsters were proven wrong and the world's preferred candidate lost (Berlinger). Allegations of external interference with the country's electoral system also emerged after the election. The accusations still hang over President Trump's head. For the first in a long time, the United States got a head of state who was not afraid of charting a new path even where it meant differing from the traditional allies. Some instrumental moves made by the current administration such as the withdrawal from important global agreements such as the Paris Climate Agreement as well as the United Nations Human Rights Council have been termed as isolationist. Moreover, the moves have irked the country's allies. Various controversial domestic policies such as the immigration ban have also divided the nation right at the center. It is incredible how all these events took place in four years. This notwithstanding, the election period is almost here once again. Gradually, 2020 politics are dominating the news.

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President Trump is going to be the Republican candidate. However, some Republicans such as Governor Larry Hogan and John Kasich, the former Ohio governor, have hinted at challenging him. Bill Weld, the former Massachusetts governor, has announced that he will run against the president in the Republican primary. Were they to get into the race, they would be huge underdogs against the sitting president. The general feeling among the Republican leaders is that Trump should be protected and state parties should probably change the rules for primaries to cushion him from insurgency (Scott). The real storm seems to be on the Democrats' side. A dozen candidates have already either expressed intent to run for the presidency or have already announced their candidacy. The race to get the Democrat candidate is expected to be as aggressive as it was during the 2016 elections. Some of the bigwigs that have already expressed their intent to unseat President Trump include Bernie Sanders and Joe Biden. The other candidates are relatively unknown outside Washington. The group is among the most diverse featured by any major party and has a record number of women. The women include Elizabeth Warren, Kamala Harris, Kirsten Gillibrand, among others (BBC NEWS). It is no secret that the Democrats see President Trump as vulnerable. This might explain the high number of candidates who have joined the race (Scott). The Democratic National Committee has announced that the debates will start in June of this year and will be spread across two nights at the start due to the high number of candidates (Scott). Joe Biden is arguably the most experienced politically among all the Democrat candidates. This is also going to be his third bid at the presidency. Once the crowded race, which is expected to be tough and bruising, is completed, the man or woman who emerges victorious will face President Trump who has already raised over $100 million towards his re-election (Scott). Moreover, the president filed preliminary paperwork that established the groundwork for his re-election soon after getting elected into office (Alfaro, Cranley and Panetta).

Though Trump's term has not been the most peaceful, the race might not be as tight as expected. Looking at history, Americans usually give their presidents a second term (Scott). This will give president Trump an upper hand moving to the elections. Another factor that may play to Trump's favor is the fact that many Democrats are yet to form an opinion regarding the Democrat candidates who are mostly unknown nationally. Two of the most recognizable names in the race are Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders. The two are senior white men, and since the party is increasingly diversifying, the odds may go Trump's way. However, the president has been quite unpopular in his first term, and the economy has not been performing so well in recent months. However, some analysts argue that the economy is bound to rise before the election and a recession just before the election is not likely. According to the analysts, this will boost his chances of getting a second term in office. It is also based on these projections that the analysts claim that the race will not be tight (Hewitt). However, the aggressiveness with which the Democrats want to get Trump out of office should not be ignored. While announcing his candidacy, Joe Biden stated that the race would be a battle for the soul of the nation. He also advanced that giving President Trump four more years would completely and eternally the character and values of the country. The Democrats will not just let that happen. This said, the elections are still quite, and politics change pretty fast. Therefore, though campaigns have started, it is difficult to tell how the campaign will wind up and who will end up in the White House.

Works Cited

Alfaro, Mariana, Ellen Cranley and Grace Panetta. "Here's everyone who has officially announced they are running for president in 2020." 25 April 2019. businessinsider.com. 28 April 2019. <https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.businessinsider.com/everyone-who-is-running-for-president-in-2020-2019>.

BBC NEWS. "US election 2020: Which Democrat will take on Trump in 2020?" 25 April 2019. bbc.com. 28 April 2019. <https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.bbc.com/news/amp/world-us-canada-47309795>.

Berlinger, Joshua. "Trump's victory in US election the latest in a year of shocks." 9 November 2016. cnn.com. 28 April 2019. <https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.cnn.com/cnn/2016/11/09/politics/shocks-2016-us-elections/index.html>.

Hewitt, Hugh. "The 2020 election isn't going to be close." 27 April 2019. washingtonpost.com. 28 April 2019. <https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.washingtonpost.com/amphtml/opinions/2019/04/27/election-isnt-going-to-be-close/>.

Scott, Dylan. "the biggest questions about 2020 Democratic primary, answered." 22 April 2019. vox.com. 28 April 2019. <https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.vox.com/platform/amp/policy-and-politics/2019/3/1/18246059/2020-candidates-list-who-is-running-for-president-beto-orourke>.