US Presidential election: the final stretch

Following the recent Democratic National Convention, US Vice President Kamala Harris has officially joined former President Donald Trump, the Republican nominee, in the race for the next occupant of the White House. As the election campaign enters the final stretch, the candidates' positions on key voter concerns will be crucial in determining who will claim the "laurel wreath."

According to the latest opinion polls among registered voters conducted by ABC News, The Washington Post, and Ipsos, Harris is currently leading Trump by a narrow margin of 5%. The Vice President also leads in the national poll by FiveThirtyEight organisation, with 46% support compared to Trump's 43%, and holds an edge in several battleground state surveys.

This close contest indicates that the direction of the race could shift frequently and the chances of both candidates to emerge as the leader are almost equal. In reality, after becoming the Democratic nominee from incumbent President Joe Biden, Harris has made a remarkable surge.

Harris’s campaign has broken fundraising records, drawing large numbers of supporters and gaining an advantage in polls in some battleground states. However, with the end of the "honeymoon" period of her campaign in sight, Harris may face significant challenges in maintaining momentum and attracting voters’ support, especially against a formidable and experienced opponent like former President Trump.

Chauncey McLean, Chairman of Forward Future, a super PAC supporting Harris, believes that the Democratic nominee needs to present more specific policy proposals focused on addressing public concerns.

As the election in November approaches, public attention is increasingly focused on the candidates’ views on the challenges facing America, with the economy being the top priority.

A recent poll by The Economist and YouGov showed that inflation, employment, and the economy are the primary concerns of American voters. To alleviate voters’ worries, both presidential candidates have promised to improve the economy if they win the upcoming election. Democratic candidate Harris has pledged to cut taxes for parents having little children, support first-time homebuyers, encourage the construction of affordable housing, and prevent unreasonable price increases on essential goods.

Meanwhile, former President Trump has vowed to lower the costs of cars, housing, insurance, and prescription drugs if re-elected. Trump also promises to continue the tax cuts he initiated in 2017 and asserts that the US will pay its enormous debt.

In addition to the economy, issues such as illegal immigration, national security, healthcare costs, counterterrorism, and foreign policy, also attract voters’ attention. Notably, an increasing number of Americans believe that foreign policy should be a priority, especially as Washington grapples with numerous global flashpoints like the Middle East conflict and tensions in Ukraine.

Voters’ interest in foreign policy is becoming more pronounced. Recently, thousands have marched in support of Palestine while protesting Washington’s military and financial support for Israel in the Gaza conflict. In this context, the complex foreign policy issues will be a significant hurdle for the candidates to overcome in their presidential bid.

With the convincing performances and tight race between the candidates, the final stretch to the White House is expected to be a fierce and unpredictable race. Regardless of who is chosen, American voters hope the next president will lead the country to overcome challenges and continue on the path of development.

NDO