An unwelcome Joe Biden-Donald Trump rematch is planned for the November 2024 presidential election, according to an American political analyst and former activist.
Myles Hoenig, a former member of the Green Party, made the remarks in an exclusive interview with Press TV on Wednesday. Hoenig’s career focus has been on advocacy in the fields of public education and foreign policy. He is based in Baltimore, Maryland, US.
Former Republican President Trump marched on Wednesday towards a rematch against President Biden in November as his final Republican rival Nikki Haley withdrew after a resounding defeat in the "Super Tuesday" primaries.
Former UN ambassador Haley’s withdrawal leaves America facing a battle for the White House between two aged men that many voters say they don't want.
Trump is facing multiple criminal indictments and the scandal over his attempt to overthrow the 2020 election in his pursuit of a comeback.
Biden meanwhile swept his Democratic "Super Tuesday" primaries but he must now gear up for Thursday’s State of the Union address. The unpopular 81-year-old is seeking to allay voter concerns over his age, the economy and his support for Israel’s genocidal war in Gaza.
“2024 is turning out to be a big yawn with no surprises, but having nearly everyone fearful of the results. Haley’s withdrawal was expected, even though she represented what some would call the sane elements of the Republican Party, if you can call war mongering, corporate hugging, homophobia ‘sane,’” Hoenig said.
“Haley actually lost a lot of credibility when Chris Christie withdrew. He threw down the gauntlet for his support for any remaining candidate who would have the courage to go after Trump at their upcoming debate. She balked but only after being left as one on one against Trump did she start her campaign against him,” the analyst added.
“It did gain her a credible support base, made up of ‘Never Trumpers’, Republican voter regardless, and future Biden supporters. Her showing in the primaries afterwards was dismal at times, but had high enough percentages to show that the ‘united’ Republican Party under Trump was an illusion,” he stated.
“A Biden-Trump rematch is one that more than half the country can’t stomach. Each has positives for their base but both bases are not a majority. Biden has a strong economy for the corporate class, whereas the base believes that means economic benefits will trickle down to them,” Hoenig said.
“Biden has eliminated much student debt which has killed the hopes and dreams of many of the working and middle class. His foreign policies are also supported by his base, mainly war support in Ukraine and maintaining a stability lost under Trump. Clearly, his complicity in the Gaza genocide negates so much of this,” he observed.
“Trump’s positives are obvious. He’s an experienced charlatan who has enraptured a whole segment of the population who adore him as any fanatic does their leader,” he said.
“There are too many variables to predict next November’s outcome. Everything from age, senility, health, convictions, unforeseen disasters, and more civil strife can all impact the final day of voting. An October surprise? Maybe it will come tomorrow. No telling,” Hoenig concluded.