Voters in the US are voting in their millions in the 2020 election, but what issues are most important to them, and what is Donald Trump and Joe Biden’s opinions on them? Kieran Burt explored the most popular topics in America and how successful (or not) have the candidates been when addressing them to the wide population.
Coronavirus response
Naturally, one of the top issues this election is the coronavirus response. With over 220,000 Americans dead, 9 million infected, and the virus disrupting every aspect of normal life it is understandable why the President’s response could sway or dissuade voter.
Trump has touted his China ban as a massive success that prevented ‘millions of deaths’ and that the US is “rounding the corner” on the virus. He also has claimed that a vaccine for the disease is very close to coming out. Trump has not released a plan for how to deal with the virus should he win.
Joe Biden however has heavily criticised Trump’s response. Trump says “we’re learning to live with it” but in actuality “people are learning to die with it” portraying Trump as an uncaring leader. He has released a plan for how to deal with the virus if he gets into office.
Another important difference between the two candidates is how coronavirus has affected their campaigns. Trump has stuck to hold large rallies with limited masks and social distancing, while Biden has held smaller scale events with masks and social distancing.
Economy
The economy has always been a key issue for American voters. With the economic fall out because of the coronavirus pandemic, it is more important than ever. However, it is important to look at the economy during the whole of Trump’s tenure.
Trump has repeated claims that he has built the “greatest economy in the world” pre-pandemic. He has claimed that his tax cuts have been a massive success. His economic plans for the future include adding 10 million jobs in 10 months and more cuts. Furthermore, Trump has offered tax breaks to companies come back to the US from China.
Biden however has said that he would repeal the Trump cuts. He has also come up with a Made in America policy to combat the economic nationalism of Trump. This would include investing to increase the demand for American made goods, as well as technology investment.
Racial tensions
The murder George Floyd and others sparked racial protest and riots across America. Movements like Black Lives Matter rose to prominence and calls to defund the police rose.
Trump has adopted a law and order stance on this issue. He has the backing of the largest police union. He continually says that he is one of the least racist people he knows. On jobs he claims that he has created record numbers of minorities in work. However, in the first debate he told white supremacists to “stand back and stand by” instead of condemning them.
Joe Biden however accepts that there is institutional racism in America, calling for better access for education, healthcare. He accepts that there is more to be done in American society to address racism. However, he has faced criticism on his involvement in passing the 1994 crime bill, and its impact on minorities.
Healthcare
Healthcare has always ranked high in election issues. This year with the pandemic it is ever more important. Obamacare faces the Supreme Court again after the election, so the issue is again made more crucial.
Trump wants to get rid of Obamacare and replace it with his own plan. In 2017 the Individual Mandate part of Obamacare was repealed. Trump has repeatedly said that he will come up with his own plan but has so far failed to do so.
Biden however has a plan to push Obamacare further. He wants to give all Americans a public option for health insurance, increase the value of tax credits and expand coverage. He also wants to further protect the Affordable Care Act
The Supreme Court
Finally, there is the Supreme Court. This is a highly important issue because the President has the power to fill any vacancies on the court and on lower courts. The judges then sit on the court for life, until they retire, or are impeached.
Donald Trump has released a list of people that he would put on the Supreme Court should the chance arise. He has also caused much controversy with the recent appointment of Amy Coney Barrett, especially with her views on abortion, Obamacare.
Joe Biden has not released a list of potential Supreme Court nominees. He also has faced questions if he would pack the Supreme Court to offset the conservative majority. He would however set up a bipartisan committee to suggest possible reforms to the Court.
There are many more issues such as climate change and gun policy that haven’t been touched upon. However, the issues that have been mentioned make up the key aspects of what has been focused upon during the campaign.
By Kieran Burt
Lead image: Platform.