The political outlook for 2021

President Joe Biden and his Democratic Party are in control in Washington, but the balance of power is in question with some key elections taking place in the next two years.

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SherryVSmithVAB | Bigstock.com
SherryVSmithVAB | Bigstock.com

President Joe Biden and the Democratic Party are in control in Washington, but the balance of power is in question with some key elections taking place in the next two years.

As part of the virtual National Turkey Federation 2021 Annual Convention, Paul Steinhauser, a national political reporter working most recently with Fox News, spoke about the current political landscape in the United States.

Congress

Steinhauser said although former President Donald Trump is no longer in power, he certainly will exert extreme influence over the Republican Party and its politics. The former president continues to enjoy high popularity with Republican voters and, Steinhauser said, he was able to bring a populist element to the party and able to bring in new, working-class support.

However, the GOP will need to ask itself if it wants to continue to be the party of Trump or if it will return to its shape before he entered the political scene. For now, it is unknown.

The U.S. Senate is an even 50-50 split between both parties with Vice President Kamala Harris serving as the tie-breaking vote. However, midterm elections are coming up in 2022 which could shift the balance of power. He said 34 seats will be up for election, 20 of which are held by Republicans.

That party will be playing defense, but it will also see opportunity to regain control of that half of the legislative branch of the federal government. Steinhauser said the Republicans feel confident they’ll be able to win back the majority.

The Republican Party also feels strong about its chances to take back the House of Representatives. Currently, 221 members are Democrats, 211 are Republicans and 3 seats are vacant. They believe that simply by being in power, the Democrats will provide ample ammunition for successful campaigns in the midterm elections of 2022.

The White House

Steinhauser said once one presidential election ends, another one begins. There will be a long list of potential candidates for 2024. President Joe Biden is 78 years old, raising questions about his ability to run for re-election and complete eight years in office.

Barring an unlikely impeachment conviction, former president Donald Trump will be the frontrunner for the Republican ticket, Steinhauser said. There will be other candidates, however: Former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley, Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Arkansas; former Vice President Mike Pence; former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo; Sen. Rick Scott, R-Florida; Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas; Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Florida; Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Missouri; Sen. Ben Sasse, R-Nebraska; Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis; Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan, former Gov. Chris Christie and South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem.

Steinhauser also said the outsider candidates would be Rep. Dan Crenshaw, R-Texas, and members of the Trump family Donald Trump Jr. and Ivanka Trump, who might run for the White House or other offices if their father does not.

If Joe Biden does not run again, the clear frontrunner for the Democratic Party would be Vice President Kamala Harris.

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