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Why Joe Biden Was My Preferred 2020 Presidential Candidate

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Abstract

This short persuasive essay presents a student's case for why Joe Biden was a preferable choice in the 2020 U.S. presidential election over incumbent Donald Trump. The paper argues from two main angles: first, that Biden's calm and rational temperament makes him better suited to handle complex national challenges such as terrorism, economic instability, and the COVID-19 pandemic; and second, that Biden's honesty and empathy qualify him as a positive role model for citizens, particularly children. The essay contrasts Biden's perceived character strengths directly against Trump's conduct in office.

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What makes this paper effective

  • The essay focuses on two clearly defined criteria — temperament and character — giving the argument a tight, organized structure for a short persuasive piece.
  • The author uses direct contrast throughout, pairing each positive claim about Biden with a corresponding criticism of Trump, which strengthens the comparative argument.
  • The opening paragraph efficiently establishes context (the 2020 race, key challenges facing the nation) before moving into the core claims.

Key academic technique demonstrated

The paper demonstrates comparative argumentation — a foundational persuasive writing technique in which a preferred option is evaluated not in isolation but explicitly against an alternative. Each criterion (calm rationality, truthfulness, empathy) is applied to both candidates, allowing the reader to assess the contrast rather than simply accept an assertion.

Structure breakdown

The essay is organized into two substantive body paragraphs, each developing a single criterion. The first addresses temperament and decision-making under pressure. The second addresses moral character and the role-model function of a president. Both paragraphs follow a claim–evidence–contrast pattern, making the logic easy to follow even in a compact format. The introduction previews the argument, and the body delivers it without digression.

Introduction

My preferred U.S. presidential candidate for 2020 is Joe Biden. Biden is the Democratic Party's nominee for president, and his main competitor is Donald Trump, the incumbent president and Republican Party nominee. There are a number of reasons why Biden would make a better president for the nation. Two stand out above all others: his calm and collected temperament, and his honesty and empathy as a person and public figure.

Temperament and Rational Leadership

The relevance of a stable, calm mind cannot be overstated when it comes to leadership — and this is especially true for the leader of a nation. Today, the United States faces a wide range of challenges, including terror threats, the possibility of an economic downturn, and a major pandemic. The country deserves a leader who is able to take a rational, rather than emotional, perspective on difficult issues and formulate the most viable solutions. In his past engagements, Biden has displayed this very important trait. His competitor, however, has lost his composure on multiple occasions — most visibly when engaging with members of the press. When the stakes are this high, the U.S. presidency demands steady, deliberate leadership.

The nation also deserves a leader who is capable of serving as a role model. This is particularly important given that citizens — and especially children — look to today's leaders as examples and align their values with those of the people who hold high office. Joe Biden is not only truthful and honest, but also genuinely sympathetic. These are ideals that every person should embrace. On numerous occasions, Biden has expressed sincere concern for the wellbeing of not only American citizens, but also people from other parts of the world. This kind of empathy is a mark of strong moral character.

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Honesty, Empathy, and the Role Model Standard · 130 words

"Biden's character as truthful, empathetic role model"

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Key Concepts in This Paper
Presidential Temperament Role Model Leadership 2020 Election Comparative Argument Political Honesty Rational Decision-Making Empathy in Leadership Democratic Nominee National Challenges Character in Politics
Cite This Paper
PaperDue. (2026). Why Joe Biden Was My Preferred 2020 Presidential Candidate. PaperDue. https://paperdue.com/study-guide/biden-preferred-2020-presidential-candidate-2175720

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