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Does Biden possess the power to heal the United States?

Biden might be a caretaker over the next four years, rather than uniting the nation.

A closer look into the responses and reactions of what the next four years will look like. (Vanessa Nim/RSJ)

Video by Vanessa Nim

Story by Rachel Aversa

Many people are counting on Joe Biden’s presidency to fix what is broken in the United States. 

Biden has large shoes to fill within the next four years. Will he be able to achieve all of the expectations?

Some believe he will take on a more caretaking role as he does not possess the power to heal the country. 

“I think a lot of people probably have brought him in as like a caretaker … You know, ‘I didn’t like what the last guy did. And so come in and just be normal for a bit until we can figure out who the inspirational person we want next is,’” said David Common, the host of CBC’s Marketplace. 

Holding hands in front of flag
Joe Biden (left) will become the 46th president of the United States. Kamala Harris (right) will serve alongside Biden in January 2021 as the vice-president. (Image via Reuters)

Brianne McGrath, a Canadian and second-year student at Babson College in Boston, believes being healed is up to the nation and its people just as much as it is up to Biden. 

“It just depends if people want to be healed, that is the thing. If people sort of adopt the mindset of we are all equal, we all deserve rights, I mean sure it will move in the right direction,” said McGrath. 

Florida resident Mauricio Ponce, 19, said the country’s division stems from the polarization of political parties, something which a Biden presidency is more favoured to amend. 

Ponce’s Latino background was a large factor in his support for Biden, as he believes Biden’s duty is to unite the country once again. 

“I really think that is what he promised at least that he is going to bring us together as Americans because we can not go another four years … not even another year of us being against each other,” said Ponce.

Read More: Voter Turnout and Polarization

How can voter statistics from the past and present elections help us further understand this year’s election?

Voter turnout in 2020 is estimated to be from 68 to 71 per cent, this being higher than the turnout in the 2016 election which was 59 per cent.

Polarization and the country being drastically split politically can impact the increase in the number of votes as both sides are extremely against the other being elected into power.

Scroll through the infographics below to learn more about polarization and its effect on overall voter turnout and Hispanic voter turnout in the 2020 presidential election. 

Multimedia by Thomas Gotzamanis

The infographic above showcases polarization and voter turnout statistics focusing on the 2020 presidential election.

November 20, 2020

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Rachel Aversa


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