President Joe Biden yesterday announced he was bowing out of the presidential race against former president Donald Trump after a torrent of concern from Democratic Party faithful about his performance and age.
He has endorsed Vice-president Kamala Harris.
American expat Amy Witter works as a director for Dickinson College, central Pennsylvania — and assists with students from the college studying at the University of Otago. She also teaches in the chemistry department.
She was "relieved" Mr Biden dropped out of the race, but "concerned" about what might happen next.
"I'm going to be really, really interested in what happens.
"I think the public were able to accept Kamala Harris as vice-president, but I don't know whether they will accept her as president."
Ms Witter, who participated in the anti-Trump protest "Women’s March" to Washington in 2017, said she was "sad about the political climate in general".
Fellow American expat Lilly Eagan, from New England, said she no longer knows what to make of her country’s politics.
"Since 2016, I've learned not to be too hopeful about anything in American politics.
"I am always impressed and surprised by how much New Zealanders treat American politics as like a hobby."
Ms Eagan came to New Zealand in 2016 to study science at Otago for a semester. She returned in 2022 and has remained in Dunedin since.
She works in the science communication department.
"I think it’s interesting how some people treat American politics like a game show. I understand why, but it’s very real and serious for me."
Golda Matthias lived in the United States from the age of 3 until 19, but has lived in New Zealand since 2010.
She was not very optimistic.
"A friend of mine, who is also from the States, just came back from a visit. It sounds like things are pretty dismal there.
"There’s always been division, paranoia and hatefulness, but it’s unavoidable now, really in your face. Poverty is out of control, medical treatment isn't getting more affordable.
Meanwhile, University of Otago professor of international relations Robert Patman told the Otago Daily Times he was "not surprised" Mr Biden decided to step down, and it had been building since his "disastrous" debate performance against Mr Trump.
"But Mr Biden’s problems began to multiply afterwards ... it brought home to many people he wasn't the same candidate he was in 2020."
Prof Patman said Ms Harris could have "cut through" with women voters.
"She would be a good person to lead on the issue of abortion. A lot of women, even those in the Republican Party, do not like this idea of state intervention into issues of their bodies."
The 2024 presidential election was "highly polarised", Prof Patman said.
"Many Americans who don't support Mr Trump are desperate he doesn't become president again.
"Mr Trump’s big challenge was never about energising the base — that was freshly re-energised by the assassination attempt, which plays into his overriding narrative that he’s a victim of the elite — his challenge was winning over swing voters.
"With Mr Biden standing down, the Democrats could get a substantial increase in the polls. The concern among the party faithful was that Mr Biden couldn't beat Mr Trump."
Prof Patman said Mr Biden was doing "reasonably well" on the domestic homefront, passing several legislative measures on matters such as labour relations and gun control, as well as overseeing an improving economy.
He believed Mr Biden showed "leadership" in supporting Ukraine after Russia invaded the country.
But his handling of the Gaza crisis, and his unconditional support for Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu began "to cause real concerns among younger voters", Prof Patman said.
