EDITORIAL: The Straits Times says US election enters a critical phase

The upcoming American presidential election is more a Trump versus Trump contest than Trump versus Biden. President Donald Trump’s re-election bid is, quite naturally, being treated by voters as a referendum on his first term. Until late January, when the first coronavirus case was recorded in the US, Mr Trump had expected by the dint of a strong economy to tide over such blemishes as his impeachment for abuse of power, a divisive record on race relations and the substantial undermining of the world order. But as Covid-19 cases rose to over five million in six months, Mr Trump’s proudest claims on boosting gross domestic product, the stock markets and jobs have been eclipsed by the single issue of how he is handling the pandemic.

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With weeks to go before early voting kicks off in some states and less than three months to election day, Democratic Party contender Joe Biden is leading Mr Trump in national polls by at least six points. More significantly, in the battleground states that determine a win under the United States electoral college system, Mr Biden has established a manifest advantage. He is also closing the gap in campaign funds, key to buying ads and raising turnout. His conspicuous invisibility to voters, compared with Mr Trump’s unwavering presence on TV and social media, is about to change. Next week, Mr Biden is expected to name his running mate and, on Aug 20, deliver his nominating address to make his case for the White House.