In the lead-up to the 2024 election, both Republican and Democrat candidates are employing multiple tactics to secure dominance amidst their struggles.

As Trump returns to the upcoming election, he gains more popularity than the Democrats.

In the Republican primaries, Trump’s current domination prompts other candidates to invest heavily in advertising, events, and debates to sway party dynamics.

Many Republican candidates launch campaigns convincing longtime Trump supporters of his potential loss in the general election.

These approaches fall into three main factions: “pugilists,” “sunny-side conservatives,” and “former aides,” each with its agenda to compete against Trump in primaries.

Agendas include calling out Trump’s character and ideological flaws, focusing on criticizing President Biden, and highlighting Trump’s worst mistakes, such as the Capitol Riot of 2021.

Among Republican candidates, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis emerges as the second most popular, challenging Trump’s lead.

In Iowa, one of the first states to cast their votes for the Republican candidate, many voters ponder the moral and likable aspects of Trump versus DeSantis, prompting Trump to counter DeSantis’s rising support.

Polls from CNN and the University of New Hampshire (UNH) have shown that Trump still holds dominance with 39% in New Hampshire and DeSantis following with 10%, indicating a drop in DeSantis’ popularity since last year.

Trump’s campaign has concluded, based on internal polling, that Trump's indictments are not changing people’s support.

However, there is another interpretation of the poll that keeps DeSantis hopeful.

Among the people polled, 70% of them said they are either open to the possibility of changing their vote from Trump or not voting for Trump at all, showing the possibility of Trump losing the primaries.

Trump's federal and state trials for overturning the 2020 election, scheduled to begin before the primary voting season, add uncertainty to the Republican landscape.

Democrats, facing their own struggles, focus on supporting President Biden as their sole candidate.

Criticisms against Biden, including inflation, lead to the implementation of “Bidenomics” on July 7, 2023, aiming to recover voter support through economic improvement.

While Bidenomics did reduce inflation, only about 25% of Americans support it, leaving Democrats seeking additional strategies.

Democrats are also counting on other issues to attract voters, such as the issue of abortion.

The Democrats’ strategy in tackling abortion issues has impacted the dynamics of the two parties significantly.

Polls from The New York Times show that the Democratic Party’s stance on abortion had the effect of persuading 74% of their voters to definitively vote for Joe Biden.

On the other hand, only 35% of Republican voters are sure of voting for Republican candidates.

However, Trump’s popularity continues to impact Democrats, attracting white working-class and nonwhite voters for his perceived economic expertise.

Biden, appealing to those critical of Trump’s indictments, postitions himself as a preferable choice for many voters.

Of the ongoing conflict and struggles of the two parties, both are working to regainpopularity from voters who are turning against them.

Matthew Park

Grade 9

Seoul International School