As the 2024 presidential race heats up, Biden and Trump are busy laying out broad sets of policy goals — but what would you do if you were handed the keys to the Oval Office for a day?
Amid the fallout from Biden’s disastrous CNN debate, which sparked calls for the president to resign, DailyMail.com took to the streets of New York to hear what people think of the president’s plans for the election.
From healthcare for all to making cities “livable” again, New Yorkers held nothing back about what their 24-hour platform would be.
These are some of your top priorities if you were sitting behind the White House Resolute Desk as Commander in Chief.
Nick (left) said it would “make New York City livable again” and Frank (right) said it would “also lower the rent”
Mariom said he would “redistribute the wealth of this country among everyone”
A common theme among the topics covered in the New Yorker was the cost of living.
Reflecting on the city’s housing crisis, New Yorker Nick said: “I would make New York livable again. I would lower the rent. It’s ridiculous. It’s extortion. My first apartment was $270. And what happened?”
Sitting next to him, Frank shared similar sentiments, stating: “I like that, I’d lower the rent too. Good idea, Mr. President.”
Elsewhere in the city, Mariom focused on broader social issues and advocated the redistribution of wealth.
“I will redistribute the wealth of this country to everyone. And no one should have to suffer, be homeless or starve in the streets,” he said.
William, 62, said a big part of his one-day platform would be to “abandon the economy.”
Echoing this sentiment, a 62-year-old man named William said a big part of his one-day platform would be to “abandon the economy.”
Meanwhile, Greg Kessler offered a simple solution to the country’s financial problems.
“I would give everyone a tax-free day. Everyone wouldn’t have to pay taxes for one day. Go out, buy whatever you want. Make yourself happy. That’s what I would do,” he said.
Miles, a Kentucky native, said that on his hypothetical first day in office, he would follow in Biden’s footsteps and “get rid of student loans. Unfortunately, I’m a college student, so I’ve got to do something, you know?”
Offering the most unique economic policy, Dabare, a 21-year-old Atlanta transplant, said he would “make secondhand shopping a mandatory activity for everyone who wants to be an American citizen.”
“I love thrift shopping. And I think people who don’t like thrift shopping aren’t open-minded enough. And I think when you start thrift shopping, you’ll start to see how wonderful it is.”
Greg Kessler said: “I would give everyone a tax-free day”
Thousands would “get rid of student loans”
Dabare, 21, said he would “make buying used goods a mandatory activity for everyone who wants to be an American citizen.”
The issue of border control and immigration also topped the list of concerns for some people.
Domingo Toledo, who revealed that he is actually “from a border town” in Mexico, said he would “open the borders” and added: “I don’t believe in borders.”
Meanwhile, Nikheeta said that she would “allow everyone who wants working papers to have the ability to work and would like to do so.”
“I think everyone should get them. I think it shouldn’t matter where you come from or how you got here. I think the only thing that matters is that you want to take care of yourself and take care of your community.
“And I think we should accept that with people. And I don’t think it should be so difficult for people to be able to do that.”
Tyler, a 22-year-old who originally came to New York from Atlanta, said she would “most likely take action, look for some reform in, you know, education, immigration, border control.”
“We’re going to reduce our financial deficit or our debt. We’ve got to figure that out. We’re going to get the smartest people we can to help us figure out where to allocate money that’s best for our country,” he added.
-Wow, I’m going to do a lot of things.
Domingo Toledo, who revealed that he is actually “from a border town” in Mexico, said he would “open borders”
Nikheeta said it would “allow everyone who wants working papers to have the ability to work and would like to do so.”
Tyler, 22, said he would “most likely take action, look for some reform in, you know, education, immigration, border control.”
Many New Yorkers also think the health care system needs improvement.
Tucker, 24, said his first official act would be to provide “free medical care.”
Taking advantage of Tucker’s bold idea, Leo offered the same stance and said he would provide coverage to “everyone.”
Tucker, 24, said his first official act would be to provide “free medical care.”
Taking Tucker’s bold idea, Leo, 24, offered the same stance, saying he would provide coverage to “everyone.”
Some presidential hopefuls looked to America’s future and pledged to use their 24 hours as commander in chief to help make a difference for children growing up in the United States.
“I think there’s definitely a lot of progress that could be made in education reform and improving accessibility,” Rachel, 22, from Atlanta, told DailyMail.com.
“I know it’s easy to say, but it’s clear that we have a long way to go and I don’t think either candidate is a good choice.”
“Unfortunately, I hope there is a bright future for America, but I don’t know. It’s scary, but everything will be okay.”
Lisa, a 40-year-old New Yorker, said she would make sure “every child in this country is taken care of in terms of housing and food.”
“I want them to feel safe. And I don’t think this country is safe right now.”
Rachel, 22, said there was “definitely a lot of progress to be made in education reform and improving accessibility.”
Lisa Roberts, 40, vowed to “ensure that every child in this country is well taken care of”
Speaking of young Americans, a couple of guys from New York offered their opinions on the topics they would be tackling.
Malachi, 14, said he would “help the poor”, while Angela Gill, 10, said he would “legalise abortion” and give “rights for everyone”.
Of great concern to New Yorkers were the major social problems.
Susan, 83, said she would “make Pride month last two months instead of just one month a year – June and July.”
As president, Coyote Caliente, 31, said he would “make sure that we support the arts and that we can celebrate each other’s uniqueness.”
Malachi, 14, said his 24-hour administration would “help the poor”
Angela Gill, 10, would “legalize abortion” and grant “rights for all.”
Susan, 83, vowed to “make Pride month last two months instead of just one month a year – June and July.”
Coyote Caliente, 31, said he would “make sure we could celebrate each other’s uniqueness”
Michael Rab, 82, said he would focus on global warming because I think it’s the most important problem we have. And I don’t think it’s been talked about enough in the debate.
New Yorker Joy said she would “reward black people… their reparations,” while Chyna said she would “make sure women have their rights in everything.”
“I want to make sure the girls are okay.”
However, not everyone said they were up to the difficult task of commander-in-chief.
“I wouldn’t be fit to be president,” Cameron admitted from Atlanta. “I don’t know, but I don’t think either option is a good one at the moment.”
“It’s a difficult job. I’m worried, but I don’t know. We’ll have to find a solution.”
Michael Rab, 82, said his one-day presidential platform would focus on “global warming”
Joy said all blacks would “receive their reparations” under his one-day rule.
Chyna said she “would like to make sure that the girls in America are good.”
While Cameron, 22, admitted she did not think she was fit to be president, she does not believe “any of the candidate options,” whether Biden or Trump, “are any good at this point.”