Democrats are holding their breath and Republicans are holding their nose this November

Democrats are holding their breath. Republicans are holding their nose. Two things are clear so far in this election cycle. One is many Americans aren't happy about the rematch between Joe Biden and Donald Trump for president this November. In fact, some are calling it "a choice between the lesser of two evils." The other is both candidates and their parties espouse the election of the other will mean the end of democracy and elections as we know it.

Getting their loyal base of voters to the polls will be critically important for each candidate, but this election could be decided by who doesn't show up on Election Day. Dissatisfaction with Biden and Trump might keep some voters at home. Then, there's the potential impact of a third-party candidate on the outcome. Polls are hard to trust at this point, as the tight race seems to fluctuate back and forth depending on which poll you're looking at. (The latest Wall Street Journal poll had Trump leading Biden in six of seven swing states.)

Here's what some Enquirer readers had to say about the two men at this point in the campaign.

Here's a tip: Ditch ridiculous 'Save our tips' slogan against raising Ohio's minimum wage

Biden's green energy push threatens my retirement

As a long-haul truck driver based out of Cincinnati, I've made a good living over the years. I planned to retire early (in 10 years) but the Biden administration's latest green energy push not only threatens my plans, but it threatens the entire trucking industry. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has announced that new emission standards will kick in for model year 2027 and require virtually zero emissions by 2032. My first question to these government officials would be how are we going to charge all of these electric vehicles, followed by how are we going to pay for it?

A company in Joliet Illinois was going to put in a charging station for 30 trucks, but the city said they couldn't do it because it would have used more electricity than the entire city. "Electric" sounds wonderful (and some day it will be), but before you put short-term goals in place, you need a long-term plan. I see no signs of that from our government. I just see a "cave in" to environmentalists.

Sal Marion, Maineville

Darbi Boddy only has herself to blame for removal from Lakota Local Schools Board

To think Joe Biden is an effective leader is ridiculous

The kind of person we all should want running this country is an effective leader who gets things done. The kind of person who is results-driven, not driven by party or influenced by uninformed, emotionally stunted individuals with a personal agenda. To think, or even consider a little bit, that Joe Biden is an effective leader is ridiculous. Donald Trump consistently speaks about wanting what is best for the nation. His four years in office proved it − the country was in better shape under Trump. Stop the jealousy and the unjustified hatred of Trump − embrace what he brings to the table and the positive results he will bring.

Keep emotion out of the equation. Use your intellect instead.

James Mitchell, Colerain Township

Liking Trump's policies is not enough. We must look at whole candidate

As a Christian Republican, I must examine my conscience and vote for a candidate who is morally and ethically fit to lead our country. It is not enough to say we like Donald Trump’s policies. Here is a man who by his rhetoric is putting the lives of others in jeopardy. Respect for life? Discontinuing funding for Ukraine, is that respect for life? Abusing woman, belittling others, sanctioning white supremist, is this respect for life? Look at the Sixth Commandment.

Demanding Republicans to not vote for a border bill because he wants all the glory himself. MAGA voters treating him like a god. Donald Trump himself said he could stand in the middle of Fifth Avenue, shoot someone, and not lose any voters. All because he has policies that one likes? Look at the Second Commandment.

Donald Trump is morally bankrupt, but to some, they say they will hold their noses and vote for him anyway. If you decide to do that, remember that you are being complicit in the acts that he will commit. As voters, it is incumbent that we look at the whole candidate. Not just policies, but morally and ethically as well.

Colleen Read, Florence

Trump is a cry-baby, not a strong man

On Easter Sunday there was a headline: "The Crucifixion of Donald Trump." The only other president to compare his travails to those of Jesus was Andrew Jackson, which seems fitting.

This man has claimed he has been treated worse than Abraham Lincoln, who was shot in the head, and on a par with Jesus, who was tortured to death. It seems odd that his followers still consider him a strong man. What man − forget strong, just adult − would whine so publicly, so endlessly? Does he make a speech without returning to the election of 2020 − ever? Does he tell audiences what he intends − aside from getting even with those he fantasizes have mistreated him?

This is not presidential timber. This is the behavior of an overgrown two-year-old. We deserve better. Pray God we will realize that in time.

Madeena Nolan, College Hill

Trump is not a victim. He's not fit to be president, either

President Joe Biden grew up in a working-class family. With admirable values, he worked hard to live up to the expectations of his parents. He lost his precious wife and daughter in an automobile accident as his legislative career was just beginning. He lost his precious son to cancer in more recent years. Biden exhibited courage and sensitivity toward others throughout without self-pity as he continued to serve his country.

Donald Trump was born with a silver spoon in his mouth, squandered an inheritance fortune with bankruptcies, and stiffed contractors − so much for the successful businessman myth. Image without substance. Now by his own behavior this convicted sex offender cries "victim" as he is brought to the halls of justice on providing bail assurances for defamation of character and other serious charges.

There are victims − Trump is not one of them. Rational people do not fall for these paranoid cry-baby tactics. He uses this to raise money with his "victimhood" charade while promising to be a "dictator on Day One" if reelected. While playing endlessly loose with the truth, believe him on this as he plans to ignore or destroy the U.S. Constitution, for which good and loyal men and women have fought to preserve throughout American history. This and all his other promises are the hallmarks of authoritarianism.

Reelect President Joe Biden in November 2024 as if the survival of the United States and democracy depends on it, because it does.

Nancy Rowles, Covington

I'll hold my nose and vote for 'lesser of two evils'

The same thing is always missing from criticisms of Donald Trump: any positive comments about what President Joe Biden has done for us. I could write a letter criticizing Trump with no difficulty at all, but in today's America it's unfortunate that we have to settle for the lesser of two evils. That said, I'll hold my nose and vote for the candidate who will make my country a better place to live for my children and their children, not the one who for the past four years has seemed intent on destroying it.

Linda Tampone, Edgewood, Ky.

Some Americans are not better off than four years ago

The Associated Press reported that, at a Dallas fund-raiser, President Joe Biden told his audience that "Americans are better off today than when Donald Trump was in the White House." Now, I'm not a fan of Trump, but if that's going to be Biden's campaign slogan, he'd better rethink it, because everyone in my family has been going in a downhill direction since January 2021. If he's going to continue to speak "off the cuff" like that, his handlers might want to consider another "basement campaign" since it worked the first time around.

Keith Evans, Edgewood

Trump will win in November, ending Biden's destructive presidency

Some have said that if Donald Trump is reelected it would be the end of elections. Our democratic republic includes three branches of government: executive (president and vice president), legislative (Congress) and judicial (the courts). One man cannot possibly abolish the Constitution and end elections. If anyone is trying to end elections, it's the Democrats who are trying to stop elections with their lawfare campaign against Trump.

Various prosecutors in different jurisdictions are filing frivolous lawsuits against Trump − the most egregious of them being a nearly $500 million judgment against him in New York, where there are no victims, for allegedly over valuing his various properties. There have been no banks complaining or anyone else about doing business with Trump and would gladly again do business with him.

Trump will win the 2024 election and rid us of the most destructive president in our history.

Michael D. Thompson, Loveland

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Trump, Biden rematch makes Americans unhappy, including Cincinnati