Understanding the 2024 U.S. Presidential Election: A Guide to Candidates, Policies, and Global Impact
Samantha Rangel
Account Manager at Hilti Espa?a | Florida State University Alumni | EU Citizen | Change Management | Marketing
As the 2024 U.S. presidential election nears, voters face a choice between two distinctly different visions for America. Vice President Kamala Harris, representing the Democratic Party, offers a progressive platform emphasizing expanded healthcare, reproductive rights, comprehensive immigration reform, and a strong climate action plan. Former President Donald Trump, the Republican candidate, centers his campaign on national security, conservative fiscal policies, strict immigration controls, and a more restrained approach to environmental regulation. Here’s a breakdown of each candidate’s policies, campaign approach, and the election’s importance both domestically and globally.
Kamala Harris’s Policy Platform
Kamala Harris’s platform builds on the Biden administration’s achievements, particularly in healthcare and climate action. She supports the $35 cap on insulin costs for seniors, introduced under the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act, and pledges to expand similar price caps to other essential medications if elected. Her healthcare approach expands existing policies, aiming to make high-quality care accessible for more Americans across income levels.
On environmental policy, Harris strongly supports climate action, viewing it as a national security priority. She advocates for stricter emissions standards, a transition to renewable energy, and investments in green technology to address climate change. Her platform includes reaching net-zero emissions by 2050 and rejoining international climate agreements, such as the Paris Agreement, which the Biden administration re-entered after Trump’s exit. Harris argues that these environmental policies not only combat climate change but also stimulate job creation in the renewable energy sector.
In immigration, Harris advocates for a balanced approach that includes both secure borders and an accessible asylum process. She supports a bipartisan approach to immigration reform, including increased funding for border personnel and measures addressing the root causes of migration from Central America. This approach contrasts with Trump’s more enforcement-focused policies, as Harris emphasizes secure borders and humane pathways for qualified immigrants.
Harris has made reproductive rights central to her campaign, pledging to restore protections lost after the Roe v. Wade reversal. She has expressed support for federal legislation to reinstate these protections nationwide and would consider eliminating the Senate filibuster if necessary to pass such laws.
Donald Trump’s Policy Platform
Donald Trump’s 2024 platform reflects conservative values, especially around national security and border control. He has made immigration control a top priority, promising to complete the border wall, reintroduce the “Remain in Mexico” policy, and increase deportations. Trump’s proposals include hiring 10,000 additional border patrol agents and reversing the Biden administration’s temporary immigrant protections.
In environmental policy, Trump prioritizes economic growth over stringent environmental regulations. He has consistently opposed strict climate policies, citing concerns about job losses and economic burden on industries like coal, oil, and gas. Trump’s 2024 platform includes rolling back emissions restrictions on fossil fuel industries and encouraging domestic oil production, which he argues will create energy independence and boost the U.S. economy. This stance starkly contrasts with Harris’s, focusing on fossil fuel expansion rather than renewable energy investment.
In healthcare, Trump favors a state-centered approach that reduces federal intervention. He has consistently criticized the Affordable Care Act and supports decentralizing healthcare regulations, giving states more autonomy over their health systems.
On reproductive rights, Trump supports leaving abortion laws to states rather than instituting a federal policy. He has opposed a national abortion ban, saying that each state should address the issue individually. However, he has praised states with restrictive abortion laws, signaling his alignment with conservative reproductive policies.
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Campaign Strategies and Approaches
Both candidates have tailored their campaign strategies to mobilize their respective bases. Trump’s strategy centers on large-scale rallies in battleground states like Pennsylvania and Arizona, energizing conservative voters who prioritize issues such as national security and economic growth. His direct communication style resonates with his base and highlights issues like immigration and law enforcement.
Harris’s campaign focuses on grassroots mobilization and digital engagement, targeting urban and suburban voters concerned with social issues, climate policy, and healthcare access. Her strategy includes engaging communities affected by changes in reproductive rights and highlighting economic policies designed to address income inequality.
The U.S. Election Process Explained
In the United States, the president is elected through an Electoral College system rather than a direct popular vote. Each state has a set number of electors based on its population size, and a candidate must secure at least 270 out of 538 electoral votes to win. Most states use a “winner-takes-all” approach, awarding all electoral votes to the candidate who wins the popular vote in that state.
Global Importance of the 2024 Election
The 2024 election holds significance not only for Americans but also for the global community. The U.S. plays a major role in international politics, and its policies affect global markets, trade relationships, and security. For instance, shifts in climate policies affect global commitments, with Harris pledging to meet stricter emissions standards while Trump prioritizes economic growth over environmental regulations. Similarly, American immigration policies set precedents for other nations, and U.S. defense decisions can influence global security and alliance dynamics.
Conclusion: The Stakes of the 2024 Election
The choice between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump reflects a sharp ideological divide: Harris’s platform represents a progressive vision centered on social equity, expanded healthcare access, and environmental action, while Trump’s policies emphasize security, economic deregulation, and conservative values. With far-reaching consequences on both national and international levels, the 2024 U.S. presidential election is a pivotal moment, underscoring the importance of informed voting as the world watches America’s path forward. This election will shape the future of the United States and its role on the global stage, impacting not only the nation’s policies but also global stability and progress.
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