Trump’s hurdles: A scary virus, shaky economy and Joe Biden | TheHill – The Hill

In times of crisis its not a bad idea to state the obvious, so here goes: Donald TrumpDonald John TrumpDe Blasio calls on Trump to deploy military to set up hospitals in New York Hillicon Valley: Facebook launches portal for coronavirus information | EU sees spike in Russian misinformation on outbreak | Senate Dem bill would encourage mail-in voting | Lawmakers question safety of Google virus website Trump signs coronavirus aid package with paid sick leave, free testing MORE can still win re-election but dont bet the rent money on it. Everything that could go wrong at least at the moment is going wrong.

First, he was counting on a strong economy to take him to the finish line. He was planning to take credit for low unemployment and high consumer confidence. He didnt figure on running for reelection with a recession hanging over his presidency.

Instead of a booming economy, America is shutting down. Restaurants, movie theaters, airlines, hotels, March Madness, professional sports and a bunch of other businesses, big and small, have been hit hard. And when people feel uneasy about their financial well-being, when their 401(k) suddenly looks like a 201(k), they wont blame Joe BidenJoe BidenThe Memo: Trump tests limits of fiery attacks during crisis Sanders when asked about timeframe for 2020 decision: 'I'm dealing with a f---ing global crisis' Biden holds sizable lead in new Hill/HarrisX 2020 poll MORE.

Neither did the president think hed be running during a worldwide pandemic that has everyone on edge.

No, hes not responsible for the virus that came to life in China. But that doesnt mean voters wont hold him responsible for the damage it does. If hes not seen as a truthful, competent leader, his chances of serving a second term will be greatly imperiled.

And heres where the Donald Trump weve seen for the past three years comes into play: He gets things wrong. A lot. And especially during a crisis such as this, facts matter. Getting it right matters. And hes gotten more than a few things wrong.

Heres how Peter Wehner, a self-described lifelong Republican who has served in the last three GOP administrations (and who says hell never vote for this president) put it in a March 13 piece for Atlantic magazine: The presidents misinformation and mendacity about the coronavirus are head-snapping. He claimed it was contained in America when it was actually spreading. He claimed we had shut it down when we had not. He claimed testing was available when it wasnt. He claimed coronavirus will one day disappear like a miracle; it wont.

None of this may matter to Trumps most passionate fans, the ones who will vote for him no matter what. But take note, Mr. President: Its not only your loyalists who vote. So do independents and what doesnt matter to your adoring base may very well matter to them.

And then theres his likely opponent. The president, by all accounts, was hoping to run against Sen. Bernie SandersBernie SandersHillicon Valley: Facebook launches portal for coronavirus information | EU sees spike in Russian misinformation on outbreak | Senate Dem bill would encourage mail-in voting | Lawmakers question safety of Google virus website The Memo: Trump tests limits of fiery attacks during crisis Sanders when asked about timeframe for 2020 decision: 'I'm dealing with a f---ing global crisis' MORE (I-Vt.), who he would call a socialist and probably a communist and whose policies he would portray as far out of the mainstream of American politics. But it doesnt look like thats going to happen.

With Sanderss candidacy on life support, the president almost certainly will run against Joe Biden, who will portray himself as a unifier running against a divider.

In a recent victory speech after a strong Tuesday of primary sweeps, the former vice president told his supporters: We are a step closer to restoring decency, dignity and honor to the White House. We need presidential leadership thats honest, trusted, truthful and steady.

Thats the kind of message that may very well resonate with swing voters in crucial battleground states, the ones who are exhausted with the presidents nonstop battles with anyone and everyone whos ever said a bad word about him.

So the president will be running against a trio of obstacles a scary virus, a shaky economy and an opponent who will portray himself as a moderate, mainstream and stable alternative to a polarizing president presiding over tumultuous times.

Three strikes and youre out in baseball. But politics is a different game altogether. Come November, coronavirus may be in our rearview mirror. The economy may have recovered. The stock market may be heading to new highs.

You never know. Donald Trump just may get lucky.

Bernard Goldberg, an Emmy and an Alfred I. duPont-Columbia University award-winning writer and journalist, is a correspondent with HBOs Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel. He previously worked as a reporter for CBS News and an analyst for Fox News. He is the author of five books and publishes exclusive weekly columns, audio commentaries and Q&As on his Patreon page. Follow him on Twitter @BernardGoldberg.

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Trump's hurdles: A scary virus, shaky economy and Joe Biden | TheHill - The Hill