The 2024 US Presidential Election: A Historic Return and Its Global Implications

[Mwl.RCT]

The 2024 US Presidential Election: A Historic Return and Its Global Implications​

The 2024 US presidential election marked a pivotal moment in American history, as Donald Trump secured a remarkable victory over incumbent Vice President Kamala Harris, becoming only the second president to serve non-consecutive terms. At 78, Trump also became the oldest person ever elected to the presidency. This comprehensive analysis examines the election's impact on domestic policy, international relations, and the future of American democracy.

The Battle for the Swing States​

The election's outcome hinged critically on several key battleground states, with Georgia, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania playing decisive roles. Pennsylvania, in particular, emerged as a crucial battleground where abortion rights became a central issue, significantly influencing voter turnout and final results. The state-by-state contests highlighted the enduring importance of regional dynamics and local issues in national elections.

The Pennsylvania Factor​

The abortion rights debate in Pennsylvania exemplified how state-level issues can shape national outcomes. The state's unique blend of urban and rural voters, combined with its historical significance in presidential elections, made it a crucial testing ground for both campaigns' messaging and policy positions.

Global Reactions and International Implications​

World Leaders Respond​

The international community's response to Trump's victory ranged from celebratory to cautious. Notable reactions came from various world leaders:

• Netanyahu hailed it as "history's greatest comeback"
• Other leaders emphasized potential areas of cooperation while maintaining diplomatic caution
• The mixed responses reflected complex global dynamics and varying expectations for US foreign policy

America First​

Trump's "America First" approach, which caused significant international tension during his first term, is expected to influence his second term's foreign policy. Key areas of focus include:

• Potential renegotiation of trade agreements
• Reassessment of NATO commitments
• Shifts in international alliance structures

Economic Implications and Market Response​

The election's immediate economic impact was evident in financial markets, with Bitcoin prices surging post-victory. This reaction suggests investors anticipate:

• Return to deregulation policies
• Lower tax rates
• Potential economic boom similar to Trump's first term

However, market analysts predict varying sector performance:

• Energy, financial, and defense sectors expected to benefit
• Technology and consumer goods sectors may face challenges
• Increased market volatility likely during policy transition

Democracy Under Pressure​

Campaign Finance Concerns​

The election set a new record with $16 billion in campaign spending, raising serious questions about money's role in American democracy. Major donors like Bloomberg, Soros, and Musk's involvement highlighted the growing influence of wealthy individuals in political processes.

Security and Integrity Challenges​

The election faced unprecedented security challenges:

• Multiple bomb threats against voting locations
• FBI investigations into election interference
• Concerns about foreign influence operations
• Growing challenges of misinformation in the digital age

Signs of Democratic Vitality​

Despite challenges, several positive developments emerged:

• Record voter turnout in Nevada
• Nationwide surge in new voter registrations
• Historic election of Sarah McBride as the first openly transgender person to Congress

These developments demonstrate the American democratic system's resilience and capacity for progress even amid political polarization.

Looking Ahead: Policy Implications​

Domestic Policy Shifts​

With Republican control of the Senate, major policy changes are anticipated in:

• Immigration reform
• Healthcare policy
• Climate change initiatives
• Abortion rights
• Tax policy

Economic Policy​

Expected economic policy changes include:

• Modifications to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act
• New tariff implementations
• Addressing federal debt ceiling challenges
• Potential deregulation in key sectors

Conclusion: A New Chapter in American Politics​

The 2024 election represents more than just a political shift; it marks a crucial moment in American democratic history. While the country faces significant challenges, including political polarization, election security concerns, and policy uncertainties, the high voter engagement and continuing democratic participation offer hope for the future.

The success of America's democratic experiment will depend on:

• Maintaining election integrity
• Fostering constructive political dialogue
• Balancing domestic needs with international responsibilities
• Protecting democratic institutions while adapting to new challenges

As the nation moves forward, the choices made in the coming years will significantly influence both domestic policy and America's role in the global community. The path ahead requires vigilance, engagement, and a commitment to democratic principles from all citizens.

 

[Mzalendo_Mkweli]

I spent hours trying to persuade US voters to choose Harris not Trump. I know why she lost​

Oliver Hall
As a phone bank volunteer, I hoped to counter the Republican attacks and half-truths, but people really believed them

It has been an extraordinary week for US politics – and a very depressing couple of days for those such as me who spent hours on the phone to people, trying to persuade them to vote for Kamala Harris and not Donald Trump. This is what voters told me time and again, and why so many did vote for Trump.
The first type of voter I encountered as a volunteer on the Harris phone bank was the one focused purely on the economy. It is hard for people on the European side of the Atlantic to grasp that soaring growth rates and low unemployment in the US would not be seen positively in the eyes of an American voter. But it was clear in my conversations that the Trump campaign was extremely effective at countering that story. Wages may well be rising at all levels, but everyday inflation was more discernible to voters.

Very often, I spoke to small business owners who would talk about the price of gas or bread, rendering any attempted explanation of global pressures responsible for that ineffective at best, and at worst condescending. Often, they would also tell me that everyone they knew was doing badly, even if they were just fine themselves. Was poor messaging to blame? That didn’t seem obvious. Democrats tried to tell the story of average wages being higher and unemployment being at an historic low, but people just seemed to believe Trump more often than they believed Harris and Tim Walz. There was no easy way to counter that, especially in a campaign lasting barely 100 days.
The next group was extremely focused on Harris as a candidate. She was as baggage-free as a vice-president could have been, and many voters spoke of how much they admired her. But there were too many others. Multiple times, I was told that Harris was a “communist”, “clueless” and that she had “thrown black men in jail for carrying one blunt”. One Latin American voter told me at length that she had “seen it all before in South America”.
Harris’s perceived failures on border security did come up too, but mainly the criticisms came straight from the mouth of the Trump campaign. Some spoke of Harris’s tough stance on crime as the district attorney of San Francisco. Others, very often of Latino origin, would tell me that she was soft on law and order. Quite remarkably, the Trump campaign successfully branded Harris as both a communist – lax on law and order – and simultaneously too tough on crime. To many, she was both an ineffective vice-president and one who had her hands all over the Biden administration. Voters held these facts in their heads at once – and would not be persuaded otherwise.
I started calling voters five weeks ago and especially then, many voters said they didn’t know who Harris was or what she stood for. It is said that an open primary process would have given Harris the chance to separate herself from Biden, but not a single person I spoke to suggested that they would have preferred a different candidate.
But gender did play a role. Time and again, voters, very often women themselves, told me that they just didn’t think that “America is ready for a female president”. People said they couldn’t “see her in the chair” and asked if I “really thought a woman could run the country”. One person memorably told me that she couldn’t vote for Harris because “you don’t see women building skyscrapers”. Sometimes, these people would be persuaded, but more often than not it was a red line. Many conversations would start with positive discussions on policy and then end on Harris and her gender. That is an extraordinary and uncomfortable truth.
You should know what I didn’t hear during the hours speaking to US voters. I can only think of one occasion when someone mentioned stricter taxes on billionaires or any similar policies. The atrocities being committed by Israel in Gaza only came up six times in more than 1,000 calls. The idea that Harris was not leftwing enough seems false: the majority of the country just voted for the complete opposite.
After all those conversations, I think the main reason that Harris and Walz lost this campaign is simple: Trump. Ultimately, he was simply too much of a pull again. Despite the gaffes, despite his views on women, despite his distaste for democracy and despite an insurrection, voters just didn’t care.
For reasons that I’m sure will be studied for decades, when he speaks, people listen. When he speaks, people believe him. After all those calls, I can be shocked at this result, but hardly surprised.
Source : The Guardian​