For subscribers
American Evolution 2024
‘Democracy on the ballot’ the battle cry in US presidential race
From conservative cores to cosmopolitan corridors, hollowed-out heartlands to cloud economies, follow US Bureau Chief Bhagyashree Garekar on a journey across the United States ahead of its presidential election in November.
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox
Portraits of American presidents, including the two likely contenders in the 2024 race - President Joe Biden and his predecessor Donald Trump - at the National Constitution Centre.
ST PHOTO: BHAGYASHREE GAREKAR
Follow topic:
PHILADELPHIA – America is not exactly known for modesty. It routinely celebrates itself as the “greatest nation on earth” with the “most powerful military, ever”. The “shining city upon a hill” for others to emulate.
The American dream is supersized, like the Big Mac and the Cadillac. The idea of an American president as Superman – another distinctively American comic book creation – is a small leap from there.

