The 2024 US Presidential Election: A Condensed Account of The Battle for America's Future
The 2024 U.S. presidential election has emerged as a pivotal event in American politics, carrying significant domestic and international consequences. With the race drawing global attention, the contest has evolved into a high-stakes battle between two distinctly different candidates: former President Donald Trump, representing the Republican Party, and Kamala Harris, who took over the Democratic ticket in August after President Joe Biden faced challenges with his re-election bid.
The Republican Front: Donald Trump’s Appeal
Donald Trump began his campaign for his third presidential election in 2022 in spite of ongoing legal battles surrounding his alleged endorsement and involvement in the January 6th insurrection, as well as his possession of classified documents after leaving office. Trump has maintained popularity through promoting tax cuts, appealing strongly to fiscally conservative voters and, since the average American doesn’t see the direct benefits of their tax dollars, it’s important to note the role of this platform in his campaign.With a privatised healthcare system, a flawed public school system, and high proportions of tax funds going to the national defence budget, tax cuts provide a compelling case for the Republican argument, even for those that do not agree with Trump ideologically. Furthermore, US citizens overseas are still obligated to file (and more often than not pay) taxes to the US in addition to their country of residence, adding to the influence of this platform for a wider spectrum of voters. However, Trump’s deregulation platform advocates policies disproportionately benefiting the wealthiest in a country facing hyperinflation and a rapid decline of the middle class. Furthermore, Trump’s promotion of ‘exclusion theory’ and an ‘America First’ narrative feeds into the rising nationalism often characteristic of times of crisis. Despite criticisms on LGBTQ+ rights and climate change, Trump's nationalist message continues to resonate with his base.
Trump’s campaign also includes the selection of JD Vance as running mate, a Senator, and former adamant critic of the former President, who (until now) was mostly known for his novel the Hillbilly Elegy. Describing himself as a member of the ‘postliberal right’, Vance’s political positions, now aligned with those of Donald Trump, include opposition to abortion, same-sex marriage, gun control, and American military aid to Ukraine.
The Democratic Transition: Kamala Harris’s Rising Momentum
The Democratic Party on the other hand, has seen an unprecedented change in candidate late in the election season, with Vice President Kamala Harris taking over as the party’s nominee. Her stances on social justice, climate action, and economic equality have been a welcome balancing force to Trump’s policies and have resonated strongly with many young voters. Her campaign’s innovative marketing approach and appeal to the younger generation, and LGBTQ audiences, through taking on Charli XCX’s Brat imagery have also granted her significant domestic sway. Her foreign policy attitudes emphasise strong alliances, particularly with NATO, and continued support for Ukraine. However, Harris’ somewhat noncommittal stances on the Israel-Hamas conflict have accrued criticism as she attempts to play to voters of divergent opinion on the conflict – supporting Israel’s ‘right to defence’ and voicing concern for the growing humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Harris's focus on climate change and renewable energy, LGBTQ+ rights, and abortion rights have garnered support from younger voters and minority communities, particularly in key battleground states.
America waited anxiously to see who Kamala Harris would choose as her running mate; a decision that in the views of many could make or break her campaign. Her choice of Tim Walz, a Minnesota governor with a background as an educator and a veteran appeals to a range of ‘middle America’ audiences, and compliments Kamala’s advocacy for a better education system. Walz’ experience as the governor of a generally more conservative state, further demonstrates that the Harris-Walz platform can appeal based on ideology even to members of the rival party.
Roe v. Wade: a New Presidential Debate
The issue of abortion rights has been at the forefront of American political discourse since the devastating Dobbs v. Jackson decision of 2022, overturned the historic privileges enshrined by Roe v. Wade. The Harris-Walz campaign has advocated for the protection of abortion rights, access to safe contraception, and widespread sexual education in schools. There has been a significant increase in fatal and unsafe illicit abortions and ‘abortion tourism’, in which patients needing care travel to other states to receive it, exacerbates the issue of health inequality in the US through the privatised healthcare system. Those who can receive safe abortions in states with the ban instated are only those who can afford to travel for them.
The Republican Party’s appeal to ‘traditional Christian values’ allows them to infuse their anti-abortion platform with elements of Christian morality, holding greater significance for conservatives.. The presence of abortion issues has never been as prominent in presidential debates as it is now, appearing in the same breath as commonly debated polarising issues such as immigration policy.
The greatest danger that the US election faces is the level of polarisation between parties – citizens are encouraged to choose a side and stick to it wholly, which has led a greater number of people to vote for a third party,albeit not at an extent that threatens the bipartisan system. The American public would benefit greatly from being encouraged to form individualised political views away from the major party platforms, and being able to acknowledge the merits of some policies and ideologies rather than accepting them as a pre-packaged deal with the party they register for. Both parties, ultimately, seek to uphold the status quo of American global hegemony, in spite of the increasingly heated and uncivil tone the presidential debates have taken on in recent years. It remains critical for the public, not just in America, but globally, to recognise the fact that every part of their lives can be impacted by political decisions and the right to vote and have your voice heard is not something to be taken for granted.
Image courtesy of Ad Meskens via Wikimedia Commons, ©2007. Some rights reserved.
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of the wider St. Andrews Foreign Affairs Review team.
