Earlier this week, hedge fund billionaire Leon Cooperman proved to Americans that rich people are really just like the rest of us, albeit with more zeros in their bank account.
The CEO of Omega Advisors expressed the concern of many voters, telling CNN that both Joe Biden and Donald Trump are “bad choices” for president.
He said he didn’t expect either of the men to make it to the finish line but, if voters were to see a 2020 rematch, he would likely not vote.
“I’m looking for centrists, not radical left or right,” said Cooperman.
Wouldn’t that be a refreshing change of pace?
According to federal records, Cooperman donated to the campaign of Trump’s archrival and harshest critic, Chris Christie, over the summer.
In 2020, the billionaire said he “very reluctantly” voted for Joe Biden.
While most cannot relate to the amount of money Cooperman has, they can relate to his dilemma when it comes to the current political climate.
Many admittedly voted for Joe Biden in 2020 simply because he wasn’t Donald Trump.
And many voters don’t see the rematch as a bout worth their time, preferring to bow out altogether, like Cooperman.
The Voter’s Dilemma
The problem is the Democrats don’t seem keen on putting forth another candidate that can beat Trump. They ousted the one that had a shot, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., forcing him to campaign as an independent. Kamala Harris couldn’t beat an inanimate object in the presidential race and is truly not a viable option. Governor Gavin Newsom, who seems to have a very real shot at landing on the Democratic ticket, will most certainly lose to Trump. All people have to do is look at California right now. Most voters, others than ones that live in California and New York, will say thanks, but no thanks.
On the other hand, Republicans can’t seem to get past Donald Trump, even with a number of strong candidates in the GOP field. Any of them are better than Biden and would likely beat him. Whether Trump will or not is debatable.
Trump is leading Biden in polls in states where a victory would be expected – Texas, Missouri, and Georgia – but losing in key states such as Pennsylvania. In the general polls he’s neck and neck with Biden right now, although he leads in some.
The point is – Trump is not a sure thing and polls this early in the game are truly an insufficient metric.
Trump has alienated so many moderate conservative and independent voters and is plagued with so much court drama that his candidacy grows less appealing by the day. While voters may not be able to hold their breath and vote for Biden, they may also refuse to stomach a Trump vote. Most likely, they’ll stay at home – or away from their mailboxes.
It’s not enough to support a candidate on the sidelines. Voters must vote, and if a candidate can’t compel them to do so, a lot of zealots are going to decide the fate of the next five years.
What is a rational, critically thinking voter to do?
I guess we’ll find out in a little over a year from now.
Jennifer Galardi is the politics and culture editor and opinion writer for 19FortyFive.com. She has a Master’s in Public Policy from Pepperdine University and produces and hosts the podcast Connection with conversations that address health, culture, politics, and policy. In a previous life, she wrote for publications in the health, fitness, and nutrition space. In addition, her pieces have been published in the Epoch Times and Pepperdine Policy Review. You can follow her on Instagram and Twitter.
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