With the recent announcements by Robert Kennedy Jr., a Democrat, and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, a Republican, of their candidacies for U.S. president, this week we asked readers their thoughts on the current shape of the 2024 presidential election.

 

“I’m looking at the non-traditional candidates. [President] Joe Biden has not been good, and [former President Donald] Trump is not such a good leader. No, Biden has not done a good job. I think Trump’s going to win, but he doesn’t know how to bring together the American people. He’s popular, but as a leader he’s not so great. He didn’t work for the people.”

Manoje Sarkar,

Parkchester

“During Donald Trump’s time, when it came down, economic-wise, he did do a good job and all, but it was all the other areas that I’m not going to go into detail [about], but there were many areas he was lacking in. Honestly, a lot of people didn’t like him, plus on the news……all the problems he’d be getting himself into with the law here and there. He doesn’t seem to be a feeling president in my opinion. You must feel right about the person in that position, and Sleepy Joe? You know, Joe Biden, I don’t really have much of an opinion about him. The last two years, I haven’t really heard much about him.”

Juan Encarnacion,

Morris Park

“My feelings are that I’m not sure whether Democrat or Republican, if either one of these parties are going to be on our side with the way the world is now. I’m a social worker so it’s like I see that there’s so many things that’s failing. The way our mental health [system] is, the way our political system is, just in our inner borough, I can’t even imagine what’s going to happen on the national level watching these guys go head-to-head, and then still not deliver on their promises to help any of the states. Of course, our public officials sold us out.”

Kayce Williams,

Kingsbridge

“I think… I don’t know…maybe Trump. Yeah, I think Trump. I don’t know if he’ll be in jail…ha ha! I don’t know. I love Biden but right now, you know, let me see. It’s too early, but maybe it’s our situation. I don’t think things would be any better if Trump was president. I don’t think so because the economy, the coronavirus broke everything.”

Victor Charles,

Kingsbridge

“I think it’s important to note that many Republican presidential candidates that are running in 2024 are coming from dynamic backgrounds. With candidates like Nikki Haley and Larry Elder, it’s interesting to note that minority Republicans are on the scene, and taking a very strong political stance against typical, Democratic political objectives. Absolutely I hope the lesser-known candidates receive the same volume of support as the ‘squeaky wheels’ of the Republican Party like [Florida Gov. Ron] DeSantis and [former President Donald] Trump.”

Sabrina Rocchio,

Throggs Neck