Trump or Biden? Americans aren't worried about the other guy – we're worried about either.

This is the least important election of our lifetimes.

That’s a taboo sentiment in politics because publicity, donations and votes depend on an electorate scared out of its collective mind. Consultants need to convince people that the nation will collapse if the other guy wins.

But it will be tough for voters to stomach this message of doom and gloom. We’ve had enough of both for the past decade.

Start the day smarter. Get all the news you need in your inbox each morning.

We can expect little but negative campaigning this year because both front-runners have so few positives worthy of gloating over.

Instead of worrying what will happen if the other guy wins, most Americans are worried about either of them winning.

2024 election offers choices few want

A Harvard CAPS/Harris Poll asked registered voters whether they’re happy with another Biden-Trump matchup. Neither campaign will be happy with the results.

Only about a third of respondents said this is “a good choice for the voters,” while 64% said “the country needs another alternative.”

While 50% of Republicans seem satisfied with Trump, a whopping 73% of Democrats oppose this rerun of 2020.

Nikki Haley, who technically remains in the GOP race, said, “Most Americans do not want a rematch between Biden and Trump. … The first party to retire its 80-year-old candidate is going to be the party that wins this election.”

She tested this message in the recent Nevada primary and came in second place. Who won first? “None of these candidates.”

Trump wasn’t even on the ballot.

Most voters want neither Trump nor Biden

While the two parties’ hardcore bases seem content with their picks, most Americans look longingly toward a third option.

When pollsters asked voters if they would “consider an independent moderate candidate running for the presidency,” 55% answered yes.

Biden’s toast. Trump’s unhinged. How about a third-party ticket led by Nikki Haley?

Supporting a generic “moderate” usually fails once a flesh-and-blood candidate throws his or her hat into the ring. (My idea of a centrist is Ron Swanson from “Parks and Recreation,” but I assume most disagree.)

Still, it’s striking how little passion most Americans have for either candidate with an election just nine months away. Instead of putting out yard signs and slapping bumper stickers on cars, people want to avoid our depressing politics as much as possible.

According to the same poll, 53% of voters think Biden “is unable to run an effective campaign” while 50% believe Trump’s legal troubles “make it impossible” for him to run for president.

A few outside possibilities could change one of the major party candidates, but all are ugly to contemplate. As bad as the current choice is, no one hopes for a major health crisis or a “black swan” event such as war or terror.

2024 election is here: Somebody tell Biden he needs to step up his election campaign game

What will down-ballot candidates do?

If voter apathy holds, 2024 could mark a significant drop in election turnout. A record-breaking number of ballots was cast in 2020, resulting in a turnout of 66.6%. (An apt number, if you think about it.)

Given Americans’ political malaise, November will likely show a collapse in overall votes, along with reduced viewership of party conventions. Debates will go unviewed because they will never be held.

Opinion alerts: Get columns from your favorite columnists + expert analysis on top issues, delivered straight to your device through the USA TODAY app. Don’t have the app? Download it for free from your app store.

Biden will claim he can’t appear on the same stage as a “threat to democracy,” and Trump will claim he’s too busy fighting his latest indictment. The real reason is that they’re both too old, but hardcore partisans will accept the lame excuses.

Voters would rather watch Netflix, anyway.

The real challenge falls upon down-ballot candidates who will get lost in the shuffle. They need to motivate a tuned-out electorate, hopefully with a few positive messages that can cut through the angry noise at the top of the ticket.

trump or biden? americans aren't worried about the other guy – we're worried about either.

Jon Gabriel, a Mesa resident, is editor-in-chief of Ricochet.com and a contributor to The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com

Jon Gabriel, a Mesa resident, is editor-in-chief of Ricochet.com and a contributor to The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, where this column first published. Find him on X, formerly Twitter: @exjon

You can read diverse opinions from our Board of Contributors and other writers on the Opinion front page, on Twitter @usatodayopinion and in our daily Opinion newsletter.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Trump or Biden? Americans aren’t worried about the other guy – we’re worried about either.

News Related

OTHER NEWS

Lawsuit seeks $16 million against Maryland county over death of pet dog shot by police

A department investigator accused two of the officers of “conduct unbecoming an officer” for entering the apartment without a warrant, but the third officer was cleared of wrongdoing, the suit says. Read more »

Heidi Klum shares rare photo of all 4 of her and Seal's kids

Heidi Klum posted a rare picture with husband Tom Kaulitz and her four kids: Leni, 19, Henry, 18, Johan, 17, and Lou, 14, having some quality family time. Read more »

European stocks head for flat open as markets struggle to find momentum

This is CNBC’s live blog covering European markets. European markets are heading for a flat open Tuesday, continuing lackluster sentiment seen at the start of the week in the region ... Read more »

Linda C. Black Horoscopes: November 28

Nancy Black Today’s Birthday (11/28/23). This year energizes your work and health. Faithful domestic routines provide central support. Shift directions to balance your work and health, before adapting around team ... Read more »

Michigan Democrats poised to test ambitious environmental goals in the industrial Midwest

FILE – One of more than 4,000 solar panels constructed by DTE Energy lines a 9.37-acre swath of land in Ann Arbor Township, Mich., Sept. 15, 2015. Michigan will join ... Read more »

Gaza Is Falling Into ‘Absolute Chaos,’ Aid Groups Say

A shaky cease-fire between Israel and Hamas has allowed a surge of aid to reach Palestinians in Gaza, but humanitarian groups and civilians in the enclave say the convoys aren’t ... Read more »

Bereaved Israeli and Palestinian families to march together in anti-hate vigil

Demonstrators march against the rise of antisemitism in the UK on Sunday – SUSANNAH IRELAND/REUTERS Bereaved Israeli and Palestinian families will march together as part of an anti-hate vigil on ... Read more »
Top List in the World