A Tense Election Night in America
"Kamala Harris Stands Firm: Her Vision for the Future is Unshakeable"
In November 2020, many Americans breathed a sigh of relief as the chaotic Election Night came to an end. The nation had long been waiting for the results of a tense contest between President Donald Trump and Joe Biden. After Joe Biden's victory on November 7, many Americans, including myself, hoped for peace, unity, and a return to normalcy.
Three and a half years into his tenure, President Biden's approval ratings had dipped to record lows. With an average approval rating of 41.4% (as of September 30, 2023, according to FiveThirtyEight), many Americans struggled to commit to a re-election of Joe Biden despite their disdain for Trump.
Issues like the economy and immigration remain top priorities for American voters, factors that had plagued the Biden administration. Despite showing significant economic growth compared to the rest of the world, inflation hit American households hard, with prices for groceries, gas, and housing skyrocketing.
After Joe Biden announced his decision to step down from the presidential nomination, interest in Vice President Kamala Harris unexpectedly surged. Despite historical precedent suggesting a low likelihood of the political party in the White House winning another term when the incumbent president does not seek re-election, Harris' campaign quickly gained momentum.
Within 24 hours of becoming the Democratic presidential nominee, Harris' campaign raised an astounding $81 million. Her campaign also broke records for the most small-dollar donations.
Trump retained the support of a significant portion of his base, consisting of hardline conservative Republicans and independent voters who shared their frustrations with Harris as they did with Joe Biden. With a lingering race, Trump resorted to a controversial disinformation campaign to smear Harris' reputation and win over undecided voters.
As the 2024 presidential race heats up, many Americans struggle to look past the rhetoric and understand what Harris offers beyond her vice presidency. With high gas and grocery prices, many remain concerned about the administration's focus on supporting Ukraine and Israel instead of the American people. They question why they should vote for Harris when the economy remains troubling and unstable.
Republicans continuously bring up Trump's 2016 campaign slogan, "I alone can fix it", and frame the election in terms of whether Americans are better off today than they were four years ago. According to a 50% majority of Americans, Trump would handle the economy more effectively than Harris, while he holds bigger leads on issues like the war in Gaza and Lebanon and immigration.
However, inflation rates have cooled, and there is a disconnect between consumer perception and reality. Despite fears of a recession, the U.S. economy defied expectations by growing by nearly 6% since Biden took office in January 2021. The U.S. has also experienced the creation of 15 million new jobs and a significant decrease in the unemployment rate since Biden's inauguration.
The struggles faced during the Trump administration, such as a flawed handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and an insurrection on January 6, 2021, have led many Americans to long for a change and a move away from the chaos and division marked by the Trump administration.
Harris has a 82-page policy proposal with proposals addressing tax cuts for the working class, affordable healthcare, and a strengthening of American infrastructure. One notable proposal includes the restoration of the $3,600 child tax credit from the American Rescue Plan. She has also promised to build 3 million new homes and provide $25,000 in down payment assistance for first-time homebuyers.
While some have criticized Harris' inactivity during her tenure as Vice President, her contributions to key legislation such as the American Rescue Plan Act, Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, and the Inflation Reduction Act suggest a more active role than appears at first glance.
One common criticism of Harris is her handling of illegal immigration. While border crossings have risen under the current administration, the crisis at the southern border has persisted for decades, with neither party proving successful in addressing it. Opponents also accuse Harris of being insufficiently tough on immigration, citing the release of convicted illegal immigrants into American communities. However, a bipartisan effort to pass a comprehensive immigration reform bill in May 2023 could change this perception.
In conclusion, the 2024 presidential race remains a tight contest between Harris and Trump. Harris' focus on protecting abortion rights, American democracy, and civil rights resonates with many voters. However, her association with Biden's economic policies, which have proven unpopular with many Americans, could hurt her appeal.
Share on Facebook Share on X Email this Story Print this Story
Maheen Alam
Enrichment Data:
Overall:Kamala Harris' key policy proposals for the 2024 U.S. presidential election and her administration's contributions to the U.S. economy can be summarized as follows:
Key Policy Proposals for 2024 Presidential Election
- Protecting Abortion Rights: Harris has made protecting a woman's right to choose abortion a central theme of her campaign, especially in response to the Supreme Court's overturning of Roe v. Wade in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization. This issue was a priority for mobilizing pro-choice Democrats and remained a central campaign focus alongside protecting American democracy[1].
- Protecting American Democracy: Alongside abortion rights, Harris positioned herself as a key figure to protect American democracy from threats exemplified by former President Donald Trump's attempts to overturn the 2020 election results. This theme continued from Joe Biden’s previous campaign agenda and formed a core part of her message[1].
- Rule of Law and Civil Rights: Drawing on her background in law enforcement and civil rights activism, Harris emphasizes the importance of the rule of law. She has engaged in discussions about social unrest and law enforcement, highlighting her empathy with protesters and commitment to lawful responses, influenced by her California upbringing and career[2].
- Other Topics: Reports indicate that Harris has also weighed potential candidacy for California governor, focusing on impact and policy influence at the state level, although her campaign decision has been described as careful and deliberative[1][3].
Contributions to the U.S. Economy During Her Administration
- Harris was vice president under the Biden administration, which faced significant economic challenges and a highly unpopular economic record among voters by 2024. Her campaign struggled to distance itself from this economic dissatisfaction, which limited her appeal despite the focus on democracy and abortion rights[1].
- Specific economic achievements or policy initiatives credited directly to Harris' administration role are not detailed in the sources. Instead, the broader Biden-Harris administration was noted to have economic challenges that affected voter sentiment.
Summary
Kamala Harris’ 2024 presidential campaign has focused strongly on protecting abortion rights and American democracy, along with her experience in law enforcement and civil rights. However, her association with the Biden administration's economic record, which was unpopular with many voters, constrained her ability to present herself as a credible economic agent of change. There is no detailed record in the provided sources of distinct economic contributions specifically attributed to her administration role as vice president[1][2][3].
- As the 2024 presidential race progresses, the editorial section of a history publication might delve into the role of video content in shaping the public's perception of Kamala Harris and her policies.
- Amidst the backdrop of the tense 2024 election, scrutiny on Kamala Harris' mental health has become a topic of discourse in political editorial forums, with some questioning if her emotional resilience can withstand the rigors of a contentious campaign.
- In the realm of environmental science, climate-change policies have been a significant point of contention during the 2024 presidential election, as both candidates, Harris and Trump, propose contrasting strategies to address the issue.
- As the race between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump heats up, some news outlets have begun to analyze the impact of photograpy on their respective campaigns, with particular attention on how visual narratives are shaping public opinion.
- In the run-up to the 2024 election, the general-news landscape has been dominated by discussions about politics and economic policies, with science and mental health issues occasionally taking a backseat, despite their potential significance to millions of Americans.
