New Delhi: The contest between Democratic leader Kamala Harris and her Republican opponent Donald Trump for the White House has been nothing short of extraordinary, marked by intense drama, tragedy, political revivals, fiery rhetoric, and an exceptionally close race.
With last few hours left for the voting day, many political analysts have described this unpredictable race for the 47th US President as the most consequential in recent memory, with some foreseeing a troubling outlook for the nation should Trump secure the presidency. Here are the issues and topics from A to Z that dominated the campaigning of both the candidates.
A – Abortion rights: Abortion continues to be a divisive issue, with both candidates holding firm positions that impact their support bases. Kamala Harris advocates for protecting abortion access as a key women’s rights issue.
B – Battleground states: Traditional swing states like Arizona, Georgia, and Pennsylvania remain crucial, with Harris and Trump heavily investing resources there.
C – Cheney and Republican division: Figures like Liz Cheney represent a split in the Republican Party, openly criticising Trump’s rhetoric as dictatorial and backing Harris, amplifying the intra-party conflict.
D – Debates: Debates have highlighted contrasting policies, especially around healthcare and immigration.
E – Elon Musk: Musk has entered the political sphere with donations and statements stirring controversy. Recently, he has been criticized for not adequately addressing disinformation on his platform, especially foreign interference attempts around the election.
F – Foreign influence: There’s a strong focus on combatting disinformation, especially from Russia, amid concerns over online misinformation in battleground states.
G – Gen Z and Youth vote: Harris has made significant appeals to Gen Z, highlighting their impatience for change and emphasising policies on climate action and social justice.
H – Healthcare: Both candidates offer differing healthcare reforms, with Harris focusing on affordable access, while Trump promotes deregulation.
I – Immigration: Immigration policies are a significant difference, with Trump taking a stricter stance compared to Harris’s more inclusive approach.
J – Justice system: The justice system’s role, especially around Trump’s legal challenges and calls for reforms, is a hot topic.
K – Kamala Harris: Running as the Democratic candidate, she seeks to build upon the Biden administration’s policies, with a focus on unity and progressive reforms.
L – Labour and Economy: Economic policies vary significantly, with Harris promising workers’ rights protections, while Trump emphasizes deregulation.
M – Middle East: Both candidates are navigating complex issues in the Middle East, balancing diplomatic ties with evolving conflicts and their domestic political stances.
N – NATO and Defence: Trump’s critiques of NATO contrast with Harris’s commitment to strengthening alliances.
O – Online disinformation: Social media disinformation campaigns have grown more sophisticated, with both campaigns focusing on voter education and safeguarding the election process.
P – Polling: Polls show a tight race, with some swing states seeing intense voter turnout and early voting numbers reaching record highs.
Q – Question of election legitimacy: With Trump’s past claims of election fraud, the integrity of the election process remains a topic of debate.
R – Russia-Ukraine conflict: The conflict remains central, as each candidate’s stance on military support and sanctions affects international policy views.
S – Supreme Court: The Supreme Court’s recent rulings impact key issues, and future appointments will be pivotal.
T – Trump: Running as the Republican candidate, Trump has been rallying his base with a populist message and promises of reform.
U – Unemployment: Employment policies differ, with Harris focusing on labour protections and Trump pushing for deregulation to stimulate business.
V – Voter turnout: Voter turnout is expected to break records, with early voting already seeing a strong response across the US.
W – Women’s rights: Women’s rights, particularly regarding healthcare, have been a major theme in Harris’s campaign.
X – Xenophobia claims: Both candidates face accusations regarding their rhetoric on immigration and foreign relations.
Y – Youth engagement: The youth vote is highly contested, with Gen Z voters seen as critical to determining the outcome.
Z – Zealous supporters: Both candidates have passionate supporter bases that contribute to a polarised political environment.
