On Saturday, there are primary elections in South Carolina, as the first state in the USA. Absolutely everything indicates that incumbent President Joe Biden will win by a wide margin.
In the presidential election, however, the Republicans will probably win South Carolina.
So why has Biden trumped South Carolina’s first primary election?
Possibly because he lost in both Iowa and New Hampshire last time, but officially because South Carolina’s population is much more reflective of the population of the United States.
Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris will use the primary here to show black voters across the United States that they take them seriously, experts say.
– I think it will mean a lot to the voters that we are the first state. The Democrats here are proud to be first, and we have a long history of choosing the right winner for the Democratic Party, says Sam Skardon, head of the Democratic Party in Charleston, to VG.
– The diversity in our party here reflects the diversity in the United States. And by the way, we are trying to reverse the fact that we have not won the state in the last presidential elections, he adds.
OPTIMIST: Sam Skardon, leader of the Charleston Democratic Party. Photo: Thomas Nilsson / VG
– What about Joe Biden’s advanced age? You have met him recently, what do you think?
– I think it is simply not true that he is too old. Biden has accomplished more in his first term as president than the vast majority of previous presidents. He is running for election on having built up infrastructure, defeated the pandemic, worked to mitigate the climate crisis, he has made hospitals and kindergartens cheaper, and he has written off student loans. Regardless of age, it would be a huge effort.
– But opinion polls show that many voters believe that Biden is both physically and mentally too weak to lead the country for four new years. Doesn’t that worry you?
– No, because all sitting presidents are a little behind when the election campaign begins. Biden’s popularity will increase until the election. Trump, who is otherwise almost the same age, has nowhere near the same results to show for it, says the party chairman.
(Journ. note: Trump is 77, four years younger than Biden).
DIVERSITY: South Carolina will hold its primary for Democrats on Saturday. Photo: Thomas Nilsson / VG
Also read: The hunt for the black voters: Can Kamala turn it around?
So, what do the voters think?
The turnout was relatively low during the primary election, but everyone we met had voted for Biden. And they weren’t stressed that he is old.
– I think that his age does not matter so much, because after all Trump is also old. So I am more concerned with the issues, such as the fight to give women back the right to abortion, and to introduce strict gun laws, says Annie Grotophorst (31).
– I dread the election campaign between Trump and Biden, I have to say that. It can get ugly, she adds.
BIDEN VOTER: Annie Grotophorst. Photo: Thomas Nilsson / VG
The 31-year-old is the youngest of all who came and voted during the hour and a half that VG was at one of the polling stations.
– It is disappointing that especially young voters seem to take our rights for granted, says Grotophorst.
Gail Thomas (68) thinks the same.
– I am incredibly disappointed that so few come to use the right to vote, which many people in other countries do not have. As a Democratic voter, I can only hope that Biden beats Trump.
HOPEFUL: Gail Thomas. Photo: Thomas Nilsson / VG
– But isn’t Biden too old to be president? He undeniably looks a little old?
– It is because he has joint inflammation and that he has always stuttered. But he is clear-headed, and he has the experience, wisdom and compassion to lead us.
Larissa Bortz (52) would like both parties to bring forward a whole generation of younger politicians. But she is pragmatic.
– Both Biden and Trump are in some ways too old. But for me, age is not the decisive factor. Biden is the right candidate, she says.
DECIDED: Larissa Bortz. Photo: Thomas Nilsson / VG
Austin Lucas (38) believes Biden can turn the polls towards the election.
– When you actually vote, I think many voters are reluctant to choose a leader who is as extreme as Trump, says Lucas.
– What about Biden’s age?
– Well, Trump is also old, and recently he buzzed and mixed up Nancy Pelosi with Nikki Haley. I think you have to look at what Biden has achieved, not his age.
THINK IT’S TURNING: Austin Lucas. Photo: Thomas Nilsson / VG
Danston Gibbs (76) is the oldest of those VG talks to, and for him only one candidate applies.
– Trump is just an inflated boasting pope. I wouldn’t vote for him for all the money in the world. He never did anything good for me, while Biden lives up to his promises.
READY SPEECH: Danston Gibbs. Photo: Thomas Nilsson / VG
– But is he too old to lead the country?
– No. NO. I’ll tell you what I think about Biden. He is a good president. That’s what I mean!
2024-02-03 22:10:44
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