The Road to the White House: Two Visions, One Crucial Decision

The 2024 US presidential election is a critical juncture in the nation’s history as it confronts long-standing and emerging challenges. Over the past 15 years, the US economy has demonstrated its strength, navigating crises like the 2008 financial meltdown and the widespread disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Now the world’s largest economy, with a GDP of $27.36 trillion in 2023, the US has added millions of jobs and sustained consistent growth, with unemployment stabilizing around 4%. However, underlying these achievements are significant issues such as income inequality, inflation, and deepening political divides.

As Americans prepare to cast their votes, they face two sharply different visions for the future. The result of this election has the potential to reshape the nation’s economic, social, and political fabric for years to come. This article delves into the key debates, upcoming events, and the potential effects of each candidate’s policies, providing an in-depth look at how their leadership could shape the country’s future.

In the United States, the President is elected through a process known as the Electoral College, a unique system designed by the nation’s founders “To balance the influence of both populous and less populous states.”

First, voters in each state cast their ballots in a general election, typically held on the first Tuesday in November every four years. Although these votes are important, they don’t directly elect the President. Instead, voters are choosing a group of electors—members of the Electoral College—who have pledged to support a specific candidate. The number of electors each state receives equals its total number of senators and representatives in Congress.

There are 538 electors in total, and a candidate needs a majority—270 electoral votes—to win the presidency. Most states have a “winner-takes-all” system, meaning that the candidate who receives the highest number of votes in a state is awarded all the electoral votes for that state. Two states, Maine and Nebraska, allocate their electors proportionally.

Once the general election is over, the electors meet in December to formally cast their votes for President and Vice President. These results are then sent to Congress, where they are officially counted in early January. If none of the candidates secures a majority of electoral votes, the responsibility of selecting the President shifts to the House of Representatives, where each state delegation casts a single vote.

Inauguration Day, when the new President takes office, occurs on January 20 following the election. This process has been the foundation of US presidential elections for centuries, ensuring that both the popular vote and state representation play a role in selecting the nation’s leader.

In 2016, Donald Trump won the presidency by securing the Electoral College despite losing the popular vote to Hillary Clinton. This was the fifth time in US history that a candidate became President without receiving the majority of the popular vote. Critics argue that the Electoral College is outdated, and there have been over 700 unsuccessful attempts to reform or abolish it. Previous occurrences include:

• 1824: John Quincy Adams (Democratic-Republican) vs. Andrew Jackson (D)
• 1876: Rutherford B. Hayes (R) vs. Samuel Tilden (D)
• 1888: Benjamin Harrison (R) vs. Grover Cleveland (D)
• 2000: George W. Bush (R) vs. Al Gore (D)
• 2016: Donald Trump (R) vs. Hillary Clinton (D)

Donald Trump officially secured the GOP (Grand Old Party) candidacy for the 2024 presidential election on August 24, 2024, at the Republican National Convention, having won more than 1,234 delegates, the required minimum to clinch the nomination. His dominant performance in the Republican primaries allowed him to easily surpass this threshold. His campaign emphasized a return to the policies of his previous administration, including a focus on economic growth, immigration reform, and foreign policy.

Joe Biden expressed intentions to run for re-election with Kamala Harris again as his running mate. However, he announced his decision to withdraw from the 2024 presidential race on July 21.

After the first 2024 presidential debate between Joe Biden and Donald Trump on June 27, 2024, Biden faced widespread criticism over his performance. Observers noted that he often appeared disoriented, gave unclear answers, and struggled with his voice and statistics. This led to mounting calls from senior Democrats and major news outlets for him to withdraw from the race. By July 19, 2024, over 30 senior Democrats had urged Biden to step down, ultimately leading to his withdrawal in July 2024.

This withdrawal shifted the focus to other prominent Democratic candidates for the party’s nomination, ultimately shifting the Democratic nomination spotlight to Kamala Harris, backed by President Biden, to replace him as the Democratic nominee.

Donald Trump chose Ohio Senator JD Vance as his running mate for the 2024 presidential race. Vance, a former Marine and author of “Hillbilly Elegy,” is known for his strong ties to working-class voters. As a US Senator, he has focused on economic issues, immigration reform, and national security. Vance’s populist message complements Trump’s platform, aiming to broaden their appeal across the Republican base heading into the election.

Vice President Kamala Harris selected Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her running mate for the 2024 presidential election. Walz, a former educator, and Army National Guard veteran was chosen for his progressive leadership and ability to connect with voters in the Midwest. His background in rural Minnesota and experience navigating divided government as governor helped elevate him from a relatively unknown candidate to Harris’s choice. This strategic selection aims to strengthen Harris’s appeal in key battleground states and position Walz as a key player in the campaign against Donald Trump.

Donald Trump, the 45th President of the United States, is running for re-election in 2024 as the Republican candidate. Known for his unconventional approach to politics, Trump’s platform centers on economic growth, strict immigration policies, and maintaining America’s global dominance. He seeks to return to office by focusing on issues like border security, reducing government regulations, and combating inflation. His campaign also emphasizes “America First” policies, particularly in trade and foreign relations.

Kamala Harris, the current Vice President and Democratic candidate, is aiming to become the first female President of the United States. Her platform focuses on social justice, healthcare reform, and climate change. Harris advocates for strengthening the middle class, expanding access to healthcare, and addressing racial and gender inequalities. A former California senator and attorney general, she also champions criminal justice reform, voting rights, and policies aimed at addressing the effects of climate change.

In their first presidential debate, Kamala Harris and Donald Trump faced off in a heated 90-minute exchange. Harris repeatedly put Trump on the defensive, taking jabs at his rally sizes, the Capitol riot, and former officials who now criticize him. These attacks often left Trump off balance, focusing more on defending himself than discussing key issues. Harris managed to steer the conversation in her favor on topics like the economy and abortion, while Trump struggled to stay on message. Polls and betting markets indicated that Kamala Harris outperformed her opponent in the debate, prompting her campaign to push for a second showdown, reflecting confidence in her performance.

However, former US President Donald Trump announced he would not participate in a second televised debate before the November presidential election as it was “too late.”

According to analysts, a Trump victory in the 2024 election could signal a return to the controversial policies of his first term. Critics argue that his emphasis on tax cuts and deregulation might favor large corporations and the wealthy, potentially exacerbating income inequality. Trump’s focus on bolstering American energy production, especially fossil fuels, is seen as a step backward in addressing climate change. In terms of inflation, Trump’s critics worry that his policies might lead to higher deficits, which could fuel inflationary pressures. Additionally, his confrontational trade policies and focus on reshoring jobs could initially benefit US job creation but risk destabilizing trade relationships and raising the cost of imports. On the global stage, analysts suggest that a Trump presidency could further strain relationships with key allies and lead to heightened tensions with China, while a strong US dollar might hurt exports. Gold prices, which often react to geopolitical uncertainty, could rise in response to a more unpredictable international environment under Trump.

On the other hand, a Harris victory, analysts predict, would continue many of Biden’s policies but with a stronger progressive agenda. Her plans for expanding healthcare, reducing income inequality, and implementing progressive taxation could face significant political opposition, leading to potential legislative gridlock. Harris’s approach to clean energy and infrastructure investments might boost job creation in emerging sectors, but critics worry about the impact on traditional industries, such as fossil fuels, which could suffer job losses. In terms of inflation, her focus on social services and government spending might fuel inflationary concerns, though supporters argue it could lead to long-term economic stability through investment in public welfare. Analysts caution that under Harris, the US dollar could weaken slightly, influenced by increased government spending and a focus on international diplomacy. Conversely, gold prices might stabilize or decline if global alliances strengthen under her leadership, easing market fears. On the monetary front, Harris’s policies would likely align with continued moderate interest rates, though rising inflation could push for more aggressive hikes in the future.

With no second presidential debate planned, the 2024 election is entering its final stretch, leaving potential “October surprises” as the remaining wildcards. Donald Trump has gained some ground, particularly in key battleground states like Wisconsin, Michigan, and Pennsylvania. Polls show that Trump leads among young men, while Kamala Harris holds the wider lead among young women. As the race remains tight, both campaigns are focusing on critical voter demographics, making this one of the closest elections in recent history.

Polls in key swing states suggest a tightly contested race between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris. The critical battleground states—Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Georgia, Michigan, Arizona, Wisconsin, and Nevada-hold 93 electoral votes in total. Trump leads narrowly in Georgia, Arizona, and North Carolina, while Harris edges ahead in Michigan, Wisconsin, and Nevada. Pennsylvania remains exceptionally close. If these razor-thin margins persist, a slight shift could determine the election outcome in favor of either candidate.

The 2024 US presidential election is expected to be a closely contested race. Polls indicate a tight margin between the candidates. However, polling remains an “inexact science,” capturing a snapshot of opinions at a given moment, and voter preferences can shift as new information surfaces during the campaign. As the race approaches its final stretch, with many voters having already made up their minds, the polls suggest a potentially very close outcome, especially in key swing states.

The 2024 US presidential election presents a pivotal moment, with two distinct visions shaping the future of the nation. Both Donald Trump and Kamala Harris offer contrasting platforms, from economic policies to social reforms. As the race enters its final phase, polls show a tight contest in key battleground states, making the outcome highly uncertain. With no second debate planned and potential surprises still looming, both candidates are focusing on critical voter demographics, setting the stage for one of the most closely contested elections in recent history. The result will significantly influence the nation’s economic, social, and political landscape.