Biden Confirmed to Run in Next Presidential Election... Facing Off Against DeSantis

Biden May Officially Announce Re-Election Bid
Trump's Favorability Drops Due to Legal Risks
Neck-and-Neck Race Expected If Facing DeSantis

U.S. President Joe Biden (left) and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (right).
[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] As U.S. President Joe Biden is expected to officially announce his bid for re-election soon, the main focus of the next presidential election is anticipated to be a showdown against Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who has emerged as the leading Republican candidate.

On the 2nd (local time), political media outlet The Hill reported that unless President Biden experiences any significant health issues, it is highly likely that he will be the Democratic presidential candidate in the 2024 election.

White House Chief of Staff Ron Klain also stated at the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) CEO Council Summit on the 6th of last month, "I hear from many Democrats that they want President Biden to run," and predicted that President Biden will announce his re-election bid shortly after the New Year holidays.

Earlier, on the 10th, President Biden expressed his intention to run for re-election during an interview with MSNBC, saying, "It is my intention to seek re-election."

On the other hand, within the Republican Party, former President Donald Trump, who was once considered a leading candidate, has seen a decline in favorability among supporters due to various legal risks, including the January 6 Capitol riot and financial fraud charges. According to a WSJ survey conducted last month with 1,500 voters nationwide, favorability toward Trump among Republican supporters dropped from 85% a year ago to 74%, while negative views increased from 13% to 23%.

Meanwhile, Governor DeSantis has succeeded in surpassing former President Trump in favorability not only among Republican supporters but also among the general electorate. During the last midterm elections, DeSantis demonstrated his electoral competitiveness by defeating the Democratic candidate in the battleground state of Florida by nearly a 20% margin.

Considering this trend, the 2024 presidential election is expected to focus on the contest between President Biden and Governor DeSantis. The Hill projected that if the 2024 presidential election were held today, it would be a close race between DeSantis and Biden. According to a survey conducted last November by the University of Wisconsin Law School’s Marquette Law School with 1,400 voters, 44% of voters said they would vote for either President Biden or Governor DeSantis if the election were held today.

The Hill stated, "This poll shows that Governor DeSantis may have an advantage over former President Trump in the next presidential election," adding, "If DeSantis defeats Trump in the Republican primary, it will present a very different challenge for President Biden."

Furthermore, The Hill predicted that President Biden’s age could be a liability in this election. According to recent polls by USA Today and Suffolk University, half of American voters prefer a president aged between 51 and 65. Facing 44-year-old Governor DeSantis in the election, Biden’s advanced age could be a weakness.

The Hill noted, "This poll reflects Democratic voters’ concerns about President Biden’s age," and added, "Only 8% of American voters want a president aged between 66 and 80."