logo
episode-header-image
Jul 2020
23m 5s

Should Joe Biden stay in the basement?

Bbc World Service
About this episode

The presidential opposition candidate Joe Biden has barely emerged from his home since America’s lockdown at the end of March. But polls suggest that the low-key strategy is working in his favour – as his rival President Donald Trump comes under increasing pressure over his handling of the coronavirus and a resurgence of racial tension.

With four months to go until the election, is staying in the basement Joe Biden’s best option? What are the risks if he does? And how could Donald Trump turn things around?

Contributors: . Jason Zengerle, writer at large for the New York Times Magazine . Rachel Bitecofer, Senior Fellow at the Niskanen Center and host of the Election Whisperer. . Niambi Carter, Associate Professor of Political Science at Howard University and author of “American While Black”. . Whit Ayres, Republican pollster at North Star Opinion Research.

Presenter: Tanya Beckett Producers: Estelle Doyle and Victoria McCraven Editor: Richard Vadon

(Image: Joe Biden at campaign event, Credit: Leah Mills/Reuters)

Up next
Jul 8
Can Brazil’s supercows feed the world?
Brazil’s Zebu cattle, or “supercows” are bred for size, strength, and meat quality. Every year the animals are showcased at ExpoZebu, Brazil’s premier cattle fair. These animals are preened, pampered, and prized, before being sold for millions for their genetic material. Zebu cat ... Show More
23 m
Jul 1
Does Trump care about Taiwan?
Ahead of last year’s US Presidential elections, Donald Trump was asked if he would defend China against Taiwan, he responded that Taiwan should pay the US for protection from China. Taiwan is a self-governing island, claimed by Beijing and whilst Taiwan is not formally recognised ... Show More
22m 58s
Jun 25
How crucial is the Strait of Hormuz to global oil supplies?
The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the most important energy corridors in the world. It is the only sea route from the Persian Gulf to the open ocean, it serves as the primary maritime route for oil exports from the Gulf. Any disruption to traffic through the strait would have i ... Show More
22m 59s
Recommended Episodes
Jul 2024
Will Biden Withdraw?
President Biden’s disastrous debate performance last week set off a furious discussion among Democratic officials, donors and strategists about whether and how to replace him as the party’s nominee.Peter Baker, who is the chief White House correspondent for The Times, takes us in ... Show More
32m 9s
Jul 2024
Will Biden Stay in the Race?
Pressure is mounting on President Joe Biden to step back as candidate for president. A new WSJ poll shows Biden has fallen six points behind Donald Trump and that 80% of respondents said they worry about Biden’s age. WSJ's Annie Linskey explores the rising panic inside the party, ... Show More
22m 58s
Jul 2024
Dems Change Their Tune About Biden For President
We may be starting to see a seismic shift in how the Democratic Party publicly talks about whether President Joe Biden should remain the party’s presumptive nominee for president. On Tuesday, Texas Rep. Lloyd Doggett became the first sitting Democratic lawmaker to call for Biden ... Show More
18m 23s
Jul 2024
Biden’s Slipping Support
A major Times poll has found that voters’ doubts about President Biden deepened after his poor performance in the first debate, with Donald J. Trump taking by far his biggest lead of the campaign.Shane Goldmacher, a national political correspondent for The Times, explains what th ... Show More
25m 11s
May 2024
Will the Trump-Biden debates matter?
Donald Trump has accepted a challenge to face off against President Joe Biden in two TV debates, setting the stage for the US Presidential Election. But will they actually take place? And what difference could they make in the race to the White House? In this episode: Brian Stelt ... Show More
24m 47s
Sep 2020
Joe Biden’s Rebuttal
Joseph R. Biden Jr.’s plan for winning the presidential election relies on putting together African-American voters of all ages, including younger Black people who are less enthusiastic about him, and white moderates who find President Trump unacceptable.At last week’s Republican ... Show More
26m 46s
Jun 2020
Who Will Be Joe Biden’s Running Mate?
Joseph R. Biden Jr. is looking for a potential vice president in one of the most tumultuous moments in modern American history. His selection committee is attempting to winnow an exceptionally diverse field. So who’s on the list? Guest: Alexander Burns, who covers national politi ... Show More
26m 26s
Jul 2024
Who could replace Biden if he were to step aside?
The US Democratic Party in disarray over Joe Biden’s future as its presidential nominee. After his debate performance, some want him out of the race, but the president is digging in his heels. So, will he stay or will he go? And who could replace Biden if he were to step aside? I ... Show More
25m 19s
May 2023
Is an 80-year-old Biden still the best bet against Trump?
With President Biden finally declaring last week that he's running for re-election, and Donald Trump still the leader of the Republican Party, America is finding itself in a state of déjà vu.... It's the rematch contest that nobody seems to want. So why is it happening? And could ... Show More
28m 8s
Nov 2023
Swing State Voters Are Souring on Biden
In a major new campaign poll from The New York Times and Siena College, former President Donald J. Trump leads President Biden in five of the six battleground states likeliest to decide the 2024 presidential race. Widespread discontent with the state of the country and growing do ... Show More
29m 36s