America Voting to Elect a President
The upcoming American presidential election presents a choice between the left-leaning Kamala Harris and the right-wing Donald Trump. Over the past 40 years, presidential elections have largely been driven by the prevailing issues and the candidates' perceived ability to address them.
In 1981, America replaced Jimmy Carter with Ronald Reagan after the humiliation of the Iranian hostage crisis. Reagan's tough stance appeared to be the answer to restore national pride, and Iran released the hostages just as he took office.
Similarly, in 1991, economic troubles following the Iraq invasion led to George H.W. Bush's defeat. Voters turned to Bill Clinton, an economic pragmatist, to tackle the country's financial woes. However, not all choices seemed ideal. In 2000, the Supreme Court's decision handed George W. Bush (Jr) the presidency, a period marked by 9/11 and prolonged conflicts in the Middle East.
Barack Obama, a charismatic and eloquent leader, took over during a time of average economic growth and significant economic engagement with China. During his presidency, America saw below-average prosperity and the rise of China as a formidable economic and military power, challenging the U.S. in the Indo-Pacific region. This situation led to the election of Donald Trump, whose policies included imposing tariffs on Chinese imports and urging allies to take more responsibility for their own defense.
Trump’s tenure was succeeded by Joe Biden, perceived as a Washington insider with less political charisma. Biden's presidency has faced significant challenges, including a chaotic military withdrawal from Afghanistan and ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, which have not bolstered American prestige. The U.S. support for Arab Palestinians over Israel and the growing assertiveness of China, particularly regarding Taiwan, have further complicated the geopolitical landscape.
As Americans prepare to vote, they face a critical decision: whether to continue the current trajectory with Kamala Harris, who would likely maintain Biden's policies, or return to Donald Trump's tougher, more confrontational approach. Each candidate brings distinct qualifications: Harris, with her background as a prosecuting attorney, emphasizes law and order, while Trump, a successful but controversial businessman, promises strict policies on immigration, economic competition with China, and minimal changes to gun control laws.
The choice is clear yet challenging. A vote for Harris signals a preference for continuity and moderate governance, while a vote for Trump indicates a desire for decisive action and a shift in national priorities. The outcome will reveal how America plans to address both domestic and international challenges in the coming years.
The party position on Kamala Harris is clear. They were lukewarm on Biden continuing but have concentrated their support for Harris. Her being Afro-Asian woman has attracted a large number of party support and fund raising from women and minorities. What exactly she means on issues of the day, America has not heard much from her. On the other hand America sees Trump’s position clear, but his organization is totally confused on Harris becoming a challenger so late. They have not found which way to train their guns and on what issues etc.
