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»»Fears over Trump & Biden head-to-head »»Millions of voters oppose both of them
Joe Biden and Donald Trump have won their parties’ presidential nominations to set up an election rematch that millions of American voters simply do not want.
Trump, 77, has been accused of various wrongdoing. He is also being painted as a danger to America.
Even some in his own party think he is not fit to be in the White House.
Biden, 81, has many detractors too. Voters say he is too old, too prone to errors and has no charisma.
Bookies have former Apprentice star Trump as a 10/11 favourite to win, with his rival a 2/1 outsider.
Biden faced only token opposition in the Democratic primary, typical for a sitting president. Trump had been the Republican front-runner for months, seeing off the likes of Nikki Haley.
The outcome of Tuesday’s contests across Georgia, Mississippi, and Washington was never in doubt.
Although the presidential primary calendar was not halfway through, the magnitude of the wins gave each candidate the delegate majority needed to claim their party’s nomination for the November 5 election.
But the nation is uneasy with the choice that lies ahead.
Pollsters and strategists say rarely have so many Americans been so unhappy with the country’s direction for this long. And rarely have so many wanted different candidates.
Voters who dislike both Biden and Trump now have their own nickname – “double haters”.
It will be a contest between two flawed and unpopular presidents.
For months, Americans have been in denial, hoping other candidates would emerge while entertaining fantasies about possible last-minute entrants such as Michelle Obama.
They have even hoped for a viable third party candidate and speedy legal prosecutions that would force Biden and businessman Trump off the ballot.
As those scenarios have failed to materialise, millions now face their worst fear – they don’t want either contender to win.
Trump is mired in criminal prosecutions, while even some die-hard Democrats are unsure about Biden due to his controversies and gaffes as he shows signs of mental fragility.
Democrat voter Kirsten Limoges, 34, said she is now “resigned” to having Biden on the ballot.
The marketing executive said: “For months, I’ve struggled to support President Biden. His mistakes, including countless errors when speaking, are a genuine concern over his fitness to hold the most powerful office there is.
“But what alternative do we have? Anyone but Trump.” Likewise, Repub
lican voter Nick Gerlach said he wished for a “viable alternative” to Trump and, like many of the party’s supporters, wants another candidate to take over.
Wall Street trader Nick, 54, said: “True Republicans want the cult of Trump gone and [ for us to] get back to the party’s true values.”
But ex-president Trump has such a stranglehold on the Grand Old Party the result was a forgone conclusion.
Nick said: “Even if he is convicted of a crime, it won’t stop Trump.
“He’ll use it for political gain. A crim
true republicans want the cult of trump gone and us to get back to our true values voter Nick Gerlach on the dilemma that many now face
inal in the White House? The Founding Fathers will be turning in their graves.” Biden is already the oldest president in US history, while Trump is a defendant in four criminal cases.
Guilty verdicts could land him in prison for decades.
The rematch – the first one since 1956 – will deepen the nation’s political and cultural divides over the eight-month grind that lies ahead.
Biden celebrated the nomination while casting Trump as a serious threat to democracy.
He claimed his predecessor is running a campaign of resentment, revenge and retribution that threatens the very idea of America. Biden said: “I am honoured the broad coalition of voters representing the rich diversity of the Democratic Party has put their faith in me once again to lead our party in a moment when the threat Trump poses is greater than ever.”
Trump celebrated “a great day of victory”, adding: “But now we have to get back to work because we have the worst president in the history of our country. We’re not going to take time to celebrate. We’ll celebrate in eight months when the election is over.”
He is facing 88 felony counts in four criminal cases in New York, Florida and Georgia involving handling of classified documents and the attempt to overturn the 2020 election, among other alleged crimes. This month, he is due to stand trial over claims he covered up a £100,000 payment made to porn star Stormy Daniels in the 2016 presidential campaign.
It is claimed the money was to keep her quiet about a sexual encounter she claimed she had with Trump in 2006. He has denied he slept with her.
Last year, a jury in a civil court found he had sexually abused author E Jean Carroll decades ago.
Trump has been hit in the civil courts with over half a billion dollars in damages and fines over business dealings and defaming Ms Carroll.
Yesterday, Trump secured a minor victory as some charges were dropped against him and co-defendants in the Georgia election interference case. Fulton County superior court judge Scott McAfee quashed six charges but said: “This does not mean the entire indictment is dismissed.”
Three of the six charges involve Trump. Mr McAfee also noted that prosecutors can seek a reindictment for the six counts that were ditched.
Trump also faces questions about his policies and his relationships with controversial world leaders.
He met privately on Friday with Hungary’s prime minister Viktor Orbán who has rolled back democracy in his country.
Biden, who would be 86 at the end of his next term if he wins, is trying to assure a sceptical electorate he can physically and mentally thrive in the world’s most important job.
Voters are also unhappy with him on immigration and inflation.
And he has angered some people from his party’s progressive base who say he has not done enough to bring about a ceasefire in Gaza.