Biden and Trump Set to Secure Party Nominations for 2024 Election

More than 1,200 days after their historic 2020 general election clash, Joe Biden and Donald Trump are expected to clinch their respective parties’ 2024 nominations Tuesday, with voting taking place in four additional states.

Democrats and Republicans are casting ballots in presidential primaries in Georgia, Mississippi and Washington. Also Tuesday, Hawaii Republicans are holding caucuses, while voting wraps up in the primary for Democrats Abroad, the official arm of the Democratic Party for Americans living overseas. Biden is the projected winner of the Democratic primary in the US territory of the Northern Mariana Islands, held earlier Tuesday.

Following last week's Super Tuesday, where Biden and Trump had strong showings, both are close to securing the majority of delegates needed to become their parties' presumptive nominees. Their upcoming rematch, although widely anticipated, is not generating much excitement. It is expected to be similar to the 2020 campaign, but this time Trump is facing legal troubles with 91 felony charges related to various allegations.

Biden, on the other hand, has a track record of accomplishments and missteps for voters to consider. He is running a campaign similar to 2020, focusing on concerns about Trump's behavior and the state of the economy. Unlike Trump, Biden did not face a serious primary challenge, with his only rival, Rep. Dean Phillips from Minnesota, dropping out and endorsing Biden last week.

Marianne Williamson, who recently resumed her campaign, is still in the race, along with venture capitalist Jason Palmer, who defeated Biden in the American Samoa caucuses last week.

Biden has faced opposition not from any particular candidate, but rather from concerns within his own party about his age and from progressives' criticism of his administration's support for Israel during the conflict with Hamas in Gaza. Additionally, Biden has faced scrutiny after a report by special counsel Robert Hur alleged that he mishandled classified information. However, no charges were filed, and Hur stated that there was not enough evidence to charge Biden with a crime during his testimony on Capitol Hill.

Trump has been considered the top choice among GOP candidates, despite facing competition from various challengers such as governors, senators, and right-wing figures, including his former vice president, Mike Pence.

The most recent contender to drop out was former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, who exited the Republican race last week after experiencing losses on Super Tuesday. Haley did not endorse Trump upon leaving, stating that the former president must work to gain the support of those within and outside of the party who did not back him. Like Biden, Trump will need to win over segments of his own base who may be hesitant to support him in order to reach previous levels of backing.

Former President Donald Trump speaks at a campaign rally in Rome, Georgia, on March 9, 2024.

Former President Donald Trump speaks at a campaign rally in Rome, Georgia, on March 9, 2024.

Alyssa Pointer/Reuters

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A Biden-Trump rematch is beginning in Georgia with both candidates making visits to the state. Although the outcome is expected to be predictable, the primaries in Georgia will give them a chance to assess their strengths and weaknesses before their big showdown in November.

Biden made history by winning Georgia in 2020 with a margin of less than 12,000 votes, becoming the first Democratic presidential candidate to do so since Bill Clinton in 1992. Following Trump's loss, there were alleged attempts by him and his supporters to undermine the election outcome. These efforts are currently being investigated as part of a wide-ranging conspiracy case that will be heard in Fulton County, the location of Atlanta.

Over the weekend, both candidates visited Georgia, holding separate rallies just 60 miles apart on Saturday.

Biden expressed his belief in embracing the future of freedom and democracy during a rally in Atlanta, highlighting the stark contrast between his vision and Donald Trump's view of America as a place of resentment, revenge, and retribution. "That's not me, that's not you," Biden emphasized.

During his visit to Rome, Georgia, Trump criticized Biden for delivering what he called an "angry, dark, hate-filled rant" during his recent State of the Union speech. Trump continued his critique of the Democrats' approach to the southern border and the economy.

Biden has been visiting swing states after the State of the Union address. He first went to Pennsylvania, then Georgia, and finally New Hampshire. Trump is heading to Dayton, Ohio this weekend to host a rally for his endorsed candidate in the GOP primary, businessman Bernie Moreno. They are running against Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown. The Ohio election is one of many important races that will impact Democratic efforts to maintain control of the Senate.

Editor's P/S:

The upcoming rematch between Joe Biden and Donald Trump in the 2024 presidential election is shaping up to be a highly anticipated yet familiar affair. Biden, with his history of accomplishments and missteps, is running a campaign similar to 2020, focusing on concerns about Trump's behavior and the state of the economy. Trump, despite facing legal troubles, remains the top choice among GOP candidates, though he needs to win over segments of his own base who may be hesitant to support him.

While the outcome of the primaries in Georgia, Mississippi, and Washington may be predictable, they will provide both candidates with an opportunity to assess their strengths and weaknesses before their big showdown in November. Biden's visit to swing states after the State of the Union address and Trump's rally in Ohio highlight their efforts to connect with voters and secure their party's nominations. The upcoming election promises to be a battle of experience versus legal challenges, with the outcome likely to have significant implications for the future of American politics.