As America approaches the 2024 presidential election, the political landscape
has undergone a significant transformation. Initially, the race appeared to be
a rematch between the same two contenders from the 2020 election: President Joe
Biden and former President Donald Trump. However, in a surprising turn of
events, President Biden withdrew from the race in July 2024 after a poor debate
performance raised doubts about his ability to carry the Democratic ticket.
Consequently, Biden endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris as the new Democratic
candidate, creating an entirely new dynamic for the upcoming election.
Kamala
Harris, Biden’s vice president and now the Democratic nominee, has a limited
window to define herself to the American electorate. Though she had struggled
during her brief 2020 presidential bid, Harris now has the opportunity to build
on her national presence. At 59, she is more than two decades younger than
Biden and 18 years younger than Trump, giving her a potential advantage in
appealing to voters looking for new, younger leadership. Her background as a
prosecutor and litigator may also give her an edge in debating Trump,
particularly as she faces him in high-stakes televised debates.
Yet
Harris faces significant challenges. As a key figure in Biden’s administration,
she inherits both the successes and criticisms of his presidency. High
inflation, economic turbulence, and international turmoil are issues
Republicans will seek to pin on her campaign, just as they did with Biden.
However, Harris may have an opportunity to differentiate herself from her
predecessor by articulating a more ambitious domestic policy agenda and
addressing key issues like immigration and the economy head-on.
On
the other side, Donald Trump remains a formidable figure among the Republicans,
running once again despite his highly controversial record. His previous term
as president ended amid chaos, with supporters of his campaign storming the
U.S. Capitol in an effort to overturn the results of the 2020 election. Trump
now faces multiple criminal charges related to his alleged involvement in this
effort, as well as other legal troubles stemming from his political and
business activities.
Despite
this, Trump’s core base of support has remained loyal, and he has won the
Republican nomination for a third time. His campaign strategy is centered on
familiar themes such as building a border wall and fighting so-called
“left-wing gender insanity.” But Trump has also incorporated fresh grievances,
targeting the legal system and the prosecutors involved in his criminal cases.
Trump’s
2024 campaign took an unexpected turn in July when he was the target of an
assassination attempt during a rally in Pennsylvania. While the former
president was only grazed by a bullet, a bystander was tragically killed. For a
brief moment, Trump adopted a more restrained and unifying tone, urging a
cooling of political tensions. However, he quickly reverted to his divisive
rhetoric, attacking his political opponents in subsequent speeches.
Polling
data shows a close race between Harris and Trump as Election Day approaches.
Harris currently leads Trump in national polls by a narrow margin, with 48% to
Trump’s 45%, but these numbers can easily fluctuate as voters begin to pay
closer attention to the candidates. The two will go head-to-head in upcoming
debates, starting with a second presidential debate on September 10th, which
will be a critical moment for both campaigns.
The
race will be shaped by a variety of pressing issues. Economic concerns such as
inflation and job creation remain central to voters, while immigration, climate
change, and social policies concerning the Russia-Ukraine and
Israeli–Palestinian conflicts also loom large. Trump continues to focus on
culture-war topics, hoping to galvanize his base with rhetoric about the
southern border and law enforcement. Meanwhile, Harris will need to lay out a
vision that can unite both progressive and moderate factions within the
Democratic Party while addressing the concerns of undecided voters.
The
2024 election is shaping up to be one of the most intense and consequential
races in modern American history. With Biden stepping down and Harris stepping
up, the political landscape has shifted, creating new challenges and
opportunities for both major parties. Trump remains a polarizing figure, but
his influence over the Republican base cannot be denied. Harris, on the other
hand, will need to quickly establish herself as a credible alternative to Trump
and navigate the complexities of leading the Democratic Party through a
tumultuous election season.
As
the race progresses, voters will be looking for strong leadership, clear policy
proposals, and a candidate capable of addressing not only the nation's pressing
challenges but also the conflicts around the world.
