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Joe Biden and Donald Trump are hoping to secure their parties’ presidential nominations with decisive victory in a series of state primaries on Tuesday, as the 2024 race for the White House enters a new phase.
Neither Biden, a Democrat, nor Trump, a Republican, face strong opposition in primary elections in Georgia, Washington state, Mississippi, and Hawaii. The main issue is whether they will get enough delegates in each state to meet the 50% nationwide threshold and become their parties’ presumptive candidates.
Whether it occurs Tuesday night or in the next days, the 2024 presidential race is on the approach of a watershed event that will cement a general election rematch between Biden and Trump. And that rematch — the first featuring two U.S. presidents since 1956 — will almost certainly deepen the nation’s searing political and cultural divides in the eight-month grind that lies ahead.
On the eve of Tuesday’s primaries, Trump recognized that Biden would be the Democratic candidate, while launching a fresh assault on the president’s age.
“I assume he is going to be the candidate,” Trump stated of Biden on CNBC. “I am his only opponent other than life, life itself.”
During a campaign appearance in New Hampshire on Monday night, Democratic President Biden focused a significant portion of his emphasis on Trump. Biden branded Trump as a severe danger to democracy. He also gave the impression of being more active on the campaign trail.
“I am excited to be involved in an increasing number of these events,” Biden said. He made light of his age later on. “I know I am not attractive, but I have been here for a long time.”
The four states hosting primary elections on Tuesday are led by Georgia.
The state played a crucial role in the last presidential election; in fact, it was so close that Trump is facing charges there for his efforts to “find 11,780 votes” and oust Biden.
However, both Biden and Trump are battling obvious weaknesses as they attempt to portray strength in the crucial swing state.
In four criminal charges regarding his handling of confidential data and his intention to rig the 2020 election, among other alleged offenses, Trump is charged with 91 felonies. In addition, he is coming under increased criticism for his policy ideas and connections to some of the most dangerous tyrants in the world. The prime minister of Hungary, Viktor Orbán, who has regressed democracy in his nation, and President Trump had a private meeting on Friday.
The 81-year-old Biden is making an effort to persuade a doubting audience that he is still cognitively and physically capable of succeeding in the most important position in the world.
The progressive base of his party, which is incensed that he has not done more to halt Israel’s assault against Hamas in Gaza, is another issue he must deal with. A similar protest “uncommitted” vote that was held in Michigan last month received over 100,000 ballots and resulted in the election of two Democratic delegates.
Many yard banners in Seattle encouraged primary voters to cast “uncommitted” ballots ahead of Tuesday’s election. Some of the placards said, “Over 30,000 dead.” Please cast your vote by Tuesday, March 12.
Similar pressure is being used in Georgia, where local officials and religious groups are pressuring Biden to demand a cease-fire in Gaza.
“Our vote is the most precious tool that we have to hold this president accountable for his harmful policies,” said Palestinian-American Rami Al-Kabra, the deputy mayor of Bothell, a community located about 13 miles northeast of Seattle, prior to Tuesday’s vote.
With 102 delegates remaining from the 1,968 required to legitimately become the Democratic candidate, Biden enters on Tuesday. Along with party-run elections for the Northern Mariana Islands and Democrats Abroad, there are 254 Democratic delegates up for grabs in Georgia, Mississippi, and Washington state on Tuesday.
As he has no formidable opponents, Biden is expected to hit that milestone.
Meanwhile, Trump is also on track to hit his magic number.
In order to secure the Republican nomination at the party’s national convention this summer, Trump needs 1,215 delegates as of Sunday. On Tuesday, 161 Republican delegates from Georgia, Mississippi, Washington, and Hawaii are up for grabs.
Trump has the potential to win every delegate in Georgia, Mississippi, and Washington state if he puts up a great performance on Tuesday. Because Hawaii distributes delegates in a proportionate manner, candidates with less percentage of the vote may still win some.
Trump’s team has not organized a lavish victory party, unlike the one it had last week when hundreds of people flocked to his Mar-a-Lago club for a Super Tuesday celebration complete with cocktails and served appetizers. However, it is uncertain if he will succeed.
