Who will sit in the Oval Office of the White House after the November election and become the most influential figure in the Western world for the next four years? What are Kamala Harris and Donald Trump betting on? What are their strongest weapons? Let’s try to answer these questions clearly and without emotion.
Every US citizen who is also a devout Catholic must be quite conflicted right now. Pope Francis has called the views espoused by both presidential candidates “inhumane.” He criticized Republican Donald Trump for wanting to deport large numbers of immigrants - which is a sin. On the other hand, he chastised Democrat Kamala Harris for supporting women’s right to abortion - also a sin. But who to choose when neither is the optimal choice according to the Holy Father? It’s hard to say how the 63 million American Catholics, who make up 22 percent of the US population, will resolve this dilemma. Most of them will surely consider more than just positions on illegal immigration or abortion when it comes to one candidate or the other.
Charm or cult?
Republican candidate Donald Trump is a liar, convicted fraudster, and ruthless manipulator. These are facts that cannot be disputed. How is it, then, that he has gained the support of such a large number of people?
First, it must be acknowledged that he is a very charismatic speaker. His direct, informal, and emotional style of speech differs dramatically from the stiff discourse of other American politicians and has allowed him to establish a truly strong connection with vast masses of people.
Second, he has managed to tap into the frustration of a part of American society, particularly the middle class and workers, who feel overlooked by the ruling elite. His populist rhetoric aimed against the elites is a rallying cry for those demanding radical changes to the system. This group of voters - though not exclusively - also finds Trump appealing because he acts swiftly and isn’t afraid to make controversial decisions. Lastly, Trump boasts a long and successful career in business, which counts for a lot, especially in America. Not only his supporters but people in general see him as a capable manager who understands the economy, labor market, and investments.
Dark on the outside, white on the inside
Compared to Trump, Democratic candidate Kamala Harris comes across as more rational and serious. She too is quite articulate, but she formulates her views much more clearly than Trump. And most importantly - she doesn’t lie (at least not much) and doesn’t make things up. This was evident during the televised debate on September 10, where she thoroughly trounced her opponent. She is adept at argumentation, a skill honed through many years of legal practice. As a lawyer, she even rose to the position of Attorney General of California. Her deep knowledge of justice and the American legal system makes her a favorite in key issues such as criminal justice reform, equality before the law, and minority rights. Moreover, she advocates for reforms in healthcare and education, which allows her to reach out to progressive voters.
Her major advantage is also the fact that she is a woman, of Indian and African descent. Many people believe this means she understands the specific problems of women and ethnic minorities. But this is a rather simplified conclusion. The Democratic candidate is, in essence, a typical member of the upper middle class. Although she isn’t white, she comes from good socio-economic conditions.
Her parents, though immigrants, integrated into the US very quickly and became respected scientists. The Harris family never dealt with problems typically associated with ethnic minority families - unemployment, drugs, poverty, and crime. Kamala is a Baptist, which is the dominant religion of the Anglo-Saxon American elite, she attended good schools, and built a remarkable career... Deep down, she might actually be “whiter” than Donald Trump, the blond man with Scottish and German roots.
The essentials...
As in the 2020 presidential election, the number one issue this time around is the economy. The cost of living and inflation are rising, which is beginning to affect even the middle class. And that’s worrying because the middle class is the backbone of American society. Kamala Harris wants to stimulate the economy through investments in infrastructure, support for small businesses, energy reform, and social policies aimed at improving the financial situation of ordinary Americans. Trump’s plan, on the other hand, mainly relies on economic deregulation, tax cuts, and trade measures aimed at better protecting the American market.
The second key issue in the election is migration, or rather immigration, which is understandable - just last year, about a million immigrants, mostly illegal, arrived in the US. Their integration is as complicated as it is here in Europe. While Donald Trump advocates for mass deportations and stronger border protection, Kamala Harris wants to address the issue primarily through immigration system reform, including significantly strengthening the rights of immigrants.
Healthcare is another explosive issue. Kamala Harris emphasizes the need to preserve Obamacare (also known as PPACA - the federal law from 2010 that increased access to health insurance even for lower- income groups) and to further expand healthcare accessibility with government funding. Donald Trump, however, points out that such a system is financially unsustainable. Therefore, he defends the traditional market-oriented system in the US, regulated primarily by the principles of supply and demand.
And then there’s the fourth important area, foreign policy and national security, which are widely discussed. It’s not that the average American cares that much, but they want to be sure of one thing: that the US is safe and remains the most powerful country in the world. As a result, current debates center around US relations with China and Russia, and also the situation in Europe. How Donald Trump’s foreign policy would look is clear from his presidency from 201???? to 2021. In the spirit of the slogan “America First,” he would again pressure China to slow down the growth of its global influence. Regarding Russia, he would officially take a tougher stance, but would essentially accommodate Russian interests, pushing for an end to the Russia-Ukraine war, with Ukraine having to accept the loss of Russian- speaking areas around the Sea of Azov in the east. In terms of relations with Europe and NATO, he would once again emphasize that Europeans must ensure their own security and not rely on American military support. And what about Kamala Harris’s vision? It essentially continues the course set by President Joe Biden. It outlines that the US should limit China’s global and economic influence, though without direct confrontation. She has no intention of cozying up to Russia, she supports anti-Russian sanctions and Ukraine’s struggle. As for Europe, she intends to deepen traditional alliances with EU countries and cooperation within NATO.
… and the quintessentials
In addition to the four “main” areas, there are other hot topics that may influence voter preferences - climate change, abortion policy, job support, violent crime... Their relevance in this election grows depending on how significant they are to each state. But will it really be these concrete issues, or rather how Trump or Harris approach them, that ultimately decide the election? Probably not. Over the past ten years, it’s been clear that US presidential elections aren’t won by the candidate with a better platform, but rather the one with better PR, who is more active on social media, and who can put on a better show. The winner on that point is clear.
ABOUT THE ELECTION
This year’s US presidential election is the sixtieth in history. It is scheduled for Tuesday, November 5, 2024, and the elected candidate will take office on January 20, 2025.
Joe Biden initially sought re-election but withdrew from the race in July and endorsed Kamala Harris. She thus became the first nominee since Hubert Humphrey in 1968 who didn’t go through the primaries and the first Democratic candidate from the western US.
She chose Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her running mate.
Biden’s predecessor, Republican Donald Trump, is seeking re-election for a second non-consecutive term after his 2020 defeat. He has chosen Ohio Senator J.D. Vance as his running mate.
The presidential election will be held at the same time as elections for one-third of the Senate, the House of Representatives, state legislatures, and the governorships of eleven states, as well as in the territories of American Samoa and Puerto Rico.
The election is indirect, with voters casting ballots for a slate of electors who will then directly elect the president and vice president.
