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US Election 2020: Four More Years?

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Q+A Panel: Kim Hoggard, Barbara Heineback, Cole Brown, John Ruddick, and Kylie Morris
US Election 2020: Four More Years?

Six weeks out from the US Presidential Election there’s one question on everyone’s mind - will Donald Trump be in office for four more years?

His handling of COVID-19 has been widely condemned and racial tensions have sparked protests in many American cities.

Polls suggest Democratic nominee Joe Biden is leading the race, but President Trump has form when it comes to defying predictions.

Joining host Hamish Macdonald - key figures who’ve worked inside the White House on both sides of the political divide.

How serious is the threat of civil war? What would a second Trump term look like? And how would it affect us in Australia and the long term power struggle with China?

Discuss the Questions

Here are the questions our panel faced this week. You can discuss their answers on the Q+A Facebook Page.

RUTH BADER GINSBURG DEATH IMPACT

(2:08)

Javiera Scarratt asked: The world has suffered a devastating loss in the death of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, a giant in the fight for gender equality and the rights of minorities. Her death leaves an opening on the Supreme Court and has the power to dramatically reshape the presidential race, as Trump and Republicans in the Senate begin making moves to fill it. In light of this, what will be different about the last 44 days of the race compared to what we've seen so far?

TRUMP AND POSTAL VOTING

(07:41)

Marla Minow asked: It is very likely that the vote totals will not be known on the night of the election, quite possibly not known for many days or even weeks post-election day. And we have seen Donald Trump foment distrust and spread disinformation over the past months about postal ballots. My question for the panel: Do you believe Donald Trump will call on his base to be calm and patient or do you think he will create chaos?

DEMOCRATS STATE RIOTING

(16:48)

Matt Burns asked: Given that the riots are predominantly in minority-heavy areas, why do Democrat mayors seem so reluctant to stop them?

TRUMP - ECONOMIC RECOVERY

(23:03)

Darren Gatcliffe asked: The Democrats have had power in the senate for decades and problems with poverty, health affordance and wage growth have only ever increased on their watch. Donald Trump has only been president for four years now. How are all of America’s issues all his fault? Why doesn’t anyone mention his success with employment for all Americans, his listing of more health initiatives and reforms and the performance of the American economy in the first four years of his term?

US REPUTATION & FURTHER DAMAGE

(30:12)

Jennifer Waltmon asked: As an American expat with dual citizenship between the US and Australia, and someone that’s been living for nearly 14 years in Sydney, I worry about the upcoming election. I’m prepared to vote for Biden and Harris because under Trump’s administration, my home country has become a dismal and scary nation. My question is for John Ruddick, as a Trump supporter, do you fear the further damage that another four years in office will do not only to Americans, but to the allies of America like Australia?

TRUMP - DANGEROUS OR SMART?

(37:42)

Eleanore Wells asked: Regardless of whether he wins or not, has Trump shown much smarter autocrats how to do it? Could there be another Hitler?

INACCURATE POLLS

(42:16)

Craig Pett asked: Given that the corporate world, academia and mainstream media are beholden to the progressive left, many conservatives and Trump supporters, in order not to jeopardise their careers, tend to keep their cards close to their chests and do not reveal their true voting intentions even in polls. So the polls showing that Biden is in front could be inaccurate and Trump could end up winning quite comfortably.  What do you think? 

CHINA DOMINANCE

(48:27)

Sophie York asked: It has become clear that China has become determined to spread its control regardless of the interests or wishes of many sovereign nations. Ports, waterways, debt-traps, universities, food-chains, water, gas and electricity, in our region, and in Australia – even some MPs - are becoming more and more under the control of the People’s Republic of China. Like them or loathe them, Biden and Trump are quite different.

US DIVISION

(57:08)

Ollie Grohs asked: Hi, My name is Ollie Grohs and I'm currently in Year 12. My question for the panel is: What do you think is the reason America has become so polarised in the political landscape over the last 10 years and subsequently What can the next administration do to bring America back together?

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