The Countdown Has Begun

Each candidate represents one of the two main political parties in the United States. Trump, a Republican, is running for a second four-year term as president. Biden, a Democrat, is hoping to replace him in the White House.

Each party nominates, or officially chooses, its candidate for president at a national convention. In the past, thousands of people would travel to a major U.S. city to attend each party’s big meeting. They’d pack into a sports arena to hear speeches from the candidate and other leaders of the party. 

This year, however, health experts have warned against large gatherings, to lower the risk that Covid-19 will spread. So both parties planned much smaller events for August.

Each candidate represents one of the two main political parties in the United States. Trump is a Republican. He is running for a second four-year term as president. Biden is a Democrat. He hopes to replace Trump in the White House.

Each party nominates its candidate for president at a national convention. Nominate means to officially choose someone to run for a government job. In the past, thousands of people would travel to a major U.S. city to attend each party’s convention. They’d pack into a sports arena. There, they would listen to speeches from the candidate for president and other leaders of the party.

This year is different, however. Health experts have warned against large gatherings. They want to lower the risk that Covid-19 will spread. So both parties planned much smaller conventions for August.

Social distancing measures—such as avoiding crowds and standing 6 feet apart—have also changed the way Trump and Biden are campaigning. They aren’t crisscrossing the country day after day to give speeches, as candidates have in the past. Meeting voters face-to-face, shaking hands, and posing for selfies are also no longer a big part of their plans.  

Instead, Trump and Biden are trying to connect with voters in other ways. For example, they’ve both held virtual rallies online. And more than ever, they’re using social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube to deliver their messages. Americans can also expect to see plenty of campaign ads on TV and online. By the end of July, the candidates had already spent a total of more than $1 billion on advertising.

Americans are being asked to use social distancing measures. This includes avoiding crowds and standing 6 feet apart. Social distancing has changed the way Trump and Biden are campaigning. In the past, candidates would crisscross the country day after day to give speeches. But Trump and Biden aren’t doing that this year. Also, meeting voters face-to-face is no longer a big part of their plans. They are avoiding shaking hands and posing for selfies with voters too. 

Instead, Trump and Biden are trying to connect with voters in other ways. For example, they’ve both held virtual rallies online. And more than ever, they’re using social media platforms to deliver their messages. These platforms include Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube. Americans can also expect to see plenty of campaign ads on TV and online. By the end of July, the candidates had already spent a lot of money on advertising. The total they spent was more than $1 billion.

Trump and Biden are also expected to face off in three televised debates—likely without live audiences. The candidates will answer questions about their plans to deal with the biggest issues facing the U.S. Topping the list will be stopping the spread of Covid-19 and helping struggling Americans who lost their jobs as a result of the outbreak.

Which candidate will convince more voters that he deserves the nation’s most important job? We’ll find out in November!

Trump and Biden are also expected to face off in three televised debates. The debates will likely be held without live audiences. The candidates will answer questions about their plans to deal with the biggest issues facing the U.S. Topping the list will be stopping the spread of Covid-19. Another big issue is helping struggling Americans who lost their jobs because of the outbreak.

Which candidate will convince more voters that he deserves to be president? We’ll find out in November!

1. How were this year’s national conventions different from those of the past?

2. Describe some of the challenges the candidates face.

3. How are the candidates trying to connect with voters?

1. How were this year’s national conventions different from those of the past?

2. Describe some of the challenges the candidates face.

3. How are the candidates trying to connect with voters?