05 November 2024
Here we are. On the day of the presidential elections in the United States the air is electric and gives the full perception of the importance of the moment: the whole world has its eyes on America to understand where it will go from tomorrow. From the billionaire to the homeless, they all feel a strong sense of belonging to the largest democracy in the world and express pride in being Americans. Even the toy cars that locate taxis in transport apps have roofs painted with the US flag, the shops abound with gadgets of all kinds from both candidates, the official ones from the election campaign and the caricatured ones, and even sachets of sugar at the bar they portray the faces of the two contenders.
This year the question is one and only: will Donald Trump return to the White House or will a new era begin with Kamala Harris? Some will certainly be tempted to give Joe Biden’s current vice president a chance in search of change but it risks being a leap in the dark. An old proverb states that those who leave the old path to embark on a new one know what they leave behind but do not know what they find. In his first term, Trump proved that he knew how to govern: in his four years, before the outbreak of Covid, the economy was doing well and there was such a demand for work that it was the aspiring employees or managers who decided the salary and not the companies, so much so that not only did the USA come close to full employment but above all wages increased for all categories of workers. In foreign policy, everyone recognized his indisputable leadership, even ex post, in other countries and other political parties.
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On the contrary, Kamala Harris’ CV raises several questions. Are you able to manage the immigration dossier? When Biden entrusted it to her, she failed. What would you do in Ukraine and Israel where two bloody wars are underway? His economic ideas are state socialist and would bankrupt America in the space of a few months, with cascading effects on the rest of the globe.
The forecasts are neck and neck and both Trump and Harris did their best to win every single vote. The past week was full of public initiatives and on the last day of the electoral campaign, yesterday, Trump held four rallies in three different states and Kamala held three meetings with voters, also traveling from one state to another. They will both be happy to finish this tour de force. Trump had started slowly at the beginning of the year, convinced that he had victory against Joe Biden, and rather than going around America, he invited voters to his residence in Mar-a-Lago in Florida. The largest events of the beginning of the electoral campaign were held there, before returning to the sports arenas, airport hangars and large open spaces where he suffered the first attack, risking his life.
On the contrary, Kamala Harris at the end of July, when Biden took a step back, immediately found herself catapulted into an electoral campaign that was already in full swing, having to make up for the time previously lost. And she was very good at bringing enthusiasm back to the Democratic Party, which before her had been weakened by the senility of the outgoing President. These were two historic moments in the race for the 2024 White House. Never before this year had a candidate, and even an incumbent President, taken a step back once the electoral campaign had begun, after the first television debate between the two contenders went terribly badly for him . Nor had we ever before seen an attack on a candidate, including a former President, at a rally a few months before the vote. Another followed weeks later.
Whatever happens, the result will also be historic, with Kamala Harris being the first female and black President and Donald Trump being the first President, after Grover Cleveland in 1892, to be re-elected for a second non-consecutive term. A circumstance which, in principle, would leave him open to the possibility of running again in 2028, even if he has already said that he will not do so. There was no shortage of low blows and vulgarity, from the “childless cat lady” with which Trump’s candidate for vice president, JD Vance, defined Harris to the “trash” with which Joe Biden defined Trump voters. This latest outing was very reminiscent of Hillary Clinton’s 2016 speech when she defined those who voted for the Republican candidate as “deplorable”. Mal blamed him for it.
And there are those who argue that the first to row against Harris is Biden himself, who has never accepted having been thrown out of the electoral contest by his own political group. This too is an absolute novelty. And if Trump won, there would be two revenges, served coldly: that of Biden towards the Democratic Party and that of Trump who returns to power after having to leave it in 2020. He too has never accepted it.
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**Interview with Political Analyst Dr. Sarah Thompson on the 2024 Presidential Election Results**
**Host:** Good evening, everyone. Today, we’re diving into the recently announced results of the 2024 U.S. presidential election, where Donald Trump has secured a notable victory. Joining us is political analyst Dr. Sarah Thompson. Sarah, thank you for being here.
**Dr. Thompson:** Thank you for having me.
**Host:** Let’s get right to it. Donald Trump has clinched 295 Electoral College votes largely by winning critical swing states. What does this say about his support across the country?
**Dr. Thompson:** Trump’s ability to sweep those swing states indicates a strong and persistent base of support, particularly in regions that prioritized economic policies during his first term. States like Pennsylvania and Michigan, which he flipped in 2016, seem to have remained loyal to him, reflecting a desire for stable leadership after the unpredictability many voters associate with the Biden administration.
**Host:** And on the other side, Kamala Harris had a significant challenge stepping in for Biden. How did her campaign resonate with voters?
**Dr. Thompson:** Harris faced a daunting task, especially since she entered the race at such a late stage while trying to energize a Democratic base that was already fatigued. She did manage to rally some enthusiasm, especially among younger voters and progressives, but questions regarding her handling of key issues like immigration were a concern. Voters seemed weary of a drastic shift, which perhaps hurt her chances.
**Host:** You mentioned that voters may have been cautious about making significant changes. Was there a sense of nostalgia for Trump’s previous administration?
**Dr. Thompson:** Absolutely. Many voters felt the pre-COVID economic environment was beneficial, marked by low unemployment rates and rising wages. For those feeling uncertain about Harris’ more state-centric economic ideas, reverting to a familiar name like Trump felt safer. This dynamic, coupled with strong sentiments about foreign policy and national security, played a pivotal role in solidifying his support.
**Host:** With the outcome now determined, what implications does Trump’s victory have for future legislative agendas in Congress?
**Dr. Thompson:** If Trump continues to maintain control, we can expect a push for policies consistent with his past administration, particularly around deregulation and tax reform. However, the balance of power in Congress will be crucial. If Democrats maintain a presence in either chamber, we could see significant gridlock, which could result in voters’ frustrations leading into the next election cycle.
**Host:** Thank you, Dr. Thompson, for breaking down these results and their implications. It’s clear this election has set the stage for a tumultuous political landscape ahead.
**Dr. Thompson:** Thank you for having me. It will certainly be interesting to see how things unfold!
**Host:** And thank you, everyone, for tuning in. We’ll continue to cover updates on the aftermath of this election and its consequences on American politics.
