CNN commentator predicts Biden defeating Trump

Bakari Sellers speaks at Denmark Technical College’s Black History Month celebration in February 2023. (Special to The Panther)

Ahead of South Carolina’s Democratic presidential primary on Feb. 3, CNN political commentator Bakari Sellers looked ahead to the general election and the forecast race between President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump.

A native of Denmark, Columbia lawyer and a former Democratic state representative, Sellers highlighted for Claflin student reporters the unique nature of the election year, which marks the third White House bid for former Republican Trump.

Sellers described it as a "get-out-the-vote" election, noting neither party's top candidate particularly appeals to voters.

"It's 'Joe Biden vs. Donald Trump vs. the couch," Sellers said, also stressing the importance of voting by young people and others. "You have to get them off the couch.”

With Biden and Trump as party frontrunners, Sellers predicted a November general election showdown between "the two most unpopular candidates in the history of the country."

Despite reported concerns about Biden's age and health, Sellers said these factors are not crucial in the current political climate, where both candidates are seniors.

Predicting a Biden victory, Sellers said the outcome will be decided in battleground cities such as Detroit, Philadelphia, Milwaukee and Raleigh-Durham, N.C., where voting can determine who wins the swings states in which the cities are located. He stressed the closeness of the election and the importance of voter turnout.

Beyond a Biden win, Sellers predicted a Democratic takeover of the House of Representatives while acknowledging the Senate is a tight race.

He anticipated Biden's strong performance in the South Carolina primary, projecting a win with 90% of the vote.

Sellers predicted difficulty for Republican figures like former S.C. Gov. Nikki Haley in challenging dominance by Trump within the Republican Party. The influence of figures like South Carolina Republican Sen. Tim Scott, who has thrown his support behind Trump, won’t help Haley in her bid for the GOP nomination. The S.C. Republican presidential primary is Feb. 24.

"Donald Trump is a clown," Sellers said. He criticized Trump's lifestyle and hypocrisy, citing “the golden toilet.”

"He used the bathroom on a golden toilet but made poor people believe that he cares about them.”

Trump has "destroyed the language of politics,” Sellers said, citing divisive rhetoric, personal attacks and disregard for traditional norms as Trump staples.

Sellers said international affairs have produced key issues such as the invasion of Ukraine by Russia and the Israel-Hamas conflict in the Middle East. While acknowledging the terror attacks on Israel, he said Israel's use of force against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip is an issue.

On domestic issues, Sellers said immigration is a significant challenge for Democrats, particularly the problems at the southern border. While advocating a sound and legal pathway for immigration, he supported the completion of the border wall, although without Mexico footing the bill as promised by Trump.

Sellers also addressed the media's treatment of Vice President Kamala Harris, noting the challenges she faces as the first woman and African American to hold the office.