As the 2024 presidential race ramps up, Biden and Trump are busy laying out sweeping sets of policy goals - but what would you do if handed the keys to the Oval office for the day?
Amid the fallout from ailing Biden's disastrous CNN debate that's led to calls for the president to stand down, DailyMail.com took to the streets of New York to hear the people's own presidential plans.
From health care for all to making cities 'livable again', New Yorkers did not hold back about what their 24-platform would be.
Here are some of their main priorities if they were behind the Resolute Desk of the White House as Commander-in-Chief.
![](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/07/04/21/86892499-13597977-_L_Nick_and_R_Frank_New_York_City_-a-11_1720124112550.jpg)
Related Articles
A common theme among New Yorker's issues was cost of living.
Reflecting on the city's housing crisis, one New Yorker Nick said: 'I would make New York City livable again. Lower the rent. It's ludicrous. It's a shakedown. My first apartment was $270. So what happened?'
Seated next to him, Frank, shared similar sentiments, stating: 'I like that, I would lower the rent too. Good idea, Mr. President.'
Elsewhere in the city, Mariom focused on broader societal issues, advocating for wealth redistribution.
'I will redistribute the wealth of this country to everybody. And nobody should have to suffer or be homeless or starving on the street,' he said.
Related Articles
Echoing this sentiment, a 62-year-old man named William said a big part of his one-day platform would be to 'drop the economy.'
Meanwhile, Greg Kessler offered up a simple solution to the nation's financial woes.
'I would give everyone a tax free day. Everyone had no taxes for one day. Go out, buy whatever you want. Make yourself happy. That's what I would do,' he said.
Miles, originally from Kentucky, said that on his first hypothetical day of office, he'd follow in Biden's footsteps and 'get rid of student loans. Unfortunately, I'm a college student, so something I got to do, you know?'
Offering the most unique economic policy, Dabare, a 21-year-old transplant from Atlanta, said he 'would make thrifting a required activity for everybody to be a U.S. citizen.
'I just love thrifting. And I feel like people who don't love thrifting are not, like, being open minded enough. And I think when you do start thrifting, you'll start to see how awesome it is.'
The issue of border control and immigration was at the top of a few people's lists as well.
Domigo Toledo, who revealed he was actually 'from a border town' in Mexico, said he'd 'open borders,' adding, 'I don't believe in borders.'
Meanwhile, Nikheeta said she 'would allow for everyone who wants working papers that has the ability to work and would like to.'
'I think they should all receive them. I think it shouldn't matter where you're from. I think it shouldn't matter how you got here. I think all that matters is that you want to provide for yourself and provide for your community.
'And I think that we should embrace that with people. And I don't think it should be that difficult for people to be able to do that.'
Tyler, a 22-year-old who came to New York originally from Atlanta, said she'd 'most likely put an action, figure out some reform with, you know, education, immigration, border control.'
'We're going to we're going to get down our financial deficit or our our debt. Figure that out. We're going to get the smartest people we can, help us figure out where to allocate the money that would be best for our country,' she added.
'Wow, I'm going to do a lot.'
Many New Yorkers also thought that the health care system needs fixing.
Tucker, 24, said his first official act would be to give 'free health care.'
Piggy-backing off of Tucker's bold idea, Leo offered the same stance and saying he would provide coverage to 'everyone.'
Some would-be presidents looked toward America's future, and promised to use their 24 hours as commander-in-chief to help make a difference for the children growing up in the U.S.
'I think there could definitely be a lot of progress on educational reform and improving accessibility,' Rachel, 22, from Atlanta, told the DailyMail.com.
'I know that's very easy to say, but obviously a lot of progress needs to be made and I do not think either candidate is a good option.'
'Unfortunately, I really hope there's a bright future for America, but I don't know. It's scary, but it'll all work out.'
Forty-year-old New Yorker Lisa said she'd 'make sure that every child in this country was taken care of in terms of housing, food.
'I want them to feel safe. And I don't feel that this country's safe right now.'
Speaking of young Americans, a couple of New York kids offered their two cents on issues they'd tackle.
Malachi, 14, said he would 'help the poor,' while said precocious ten-year-old Angela Gill she'd 'make abortion legal' and provide 'rights for everyone.'
Of great concern were major social issues for New Yorkers.
Eighty-three-year-old Susan said she would 'make Pride month two months instead of just one month a year. June and July.'
As president, 31-year-old Coyote Caliente said he 'would make sure that we would support the arts and make sure that we could celebrate everyone's uniqueness.'
Michael Rab, 82, said he would 'focus on global warming because I think it's the most essential problem we have. And I don't think enough of it came up in the debate.'
New Yorker Joy said she'd award 'Black people ... their reparations,' while Chyna said she'd 'make sure women had their rights with everything.'
'I want to make sure that the girls are good.'
However, not everyone said they were up to the daunting task as commander-in-chief.
'I could not be fit to be president,' Cameron from Atlanta admitted. 'I don't know, but I don't think either choice is good right now.'
'It's a hard job to have. I'm worried, but I don't know. We're gonna have to figure something out.'
Most Read News
Outcry in France as teacher is secretly filmed hitting a three-year-old in class then 'spraying a...
Comments
Comments
{{formattedShortCount}}
comments