Donald Trump vs. Kamala Harris: The Battle for America’s Future

By Marcus Madsen, Reporter

November 4, 2024

The 2024 Fight of the Elephant (Republicans) vs. the Donkey (Democrats)

As the Nov. 5 election approaches, it is essential for students to understand the significance of politics and its impact on our lives. The decisions made by our leaders today will shape the world we inherit tomorrow.

By staying informed and engaged, students can ensure their voices are heard and contribute to a better future. Here, we will explore five key issues—abortion, the economy, immigration, foreign policy, and the environment—which are particularly relevant to students.

With the upcoming presidential election, voters will have the choice between two major candidates: Donald Trump and Kamala Harris. Both have drastic differences in policies and could shape America’s future in different ways.

Donald Trump is the former President of the United States. After losing the 2020 election to Joe Biden, Trump continued to be a significant figure in the Republican Party and announced his intention to run for president again in 2024. Donald Trump’s 2024 campaign focused on immigration, economic growth, and strong foreign policy.

Kamala Harris is the current Vice President of the United States, serving under Biden. Before Harris was Vice President, she was the Attorney General for the state of California, and later became a senator for the Golden State. Harris’ campaign has focused on economic growth, healthcare affordability, reproductive rights, and environmental sustainability, while highlighting her commitment to middle-class support.

All information about each candidate has been pulled from their campaigns’ websites, donaldjtrump.com and kamalaharris.com. Student sources are listed in no particular order other than category.

ABORTION

Abortion remains a deeply personal and contentious issue. The laws and policies surrounding it can significantly affect access to healthcare and reproductive rights. Understanding the various perspectives and implications of abortion laws is crucial for making informed decisions about personal rights and healthcare.

TRUMP

“My view is now that we have abortion where everybody wanted it from a legal standpoint, the states will determine by vote or legislation or perhaps both. And whatever they decide must be the law of the land.”
“Many states will be different, many will have a different number of weeks, or some will have more conservative than others, and that’s what they will be”
“At the end of the day. This is all about the will of the people. You must follow your heart or in many cases, your religion or your faith.”

HARRIS

“Since Roe v. Wade was overturned, Vice President Harris has driven the Administration’s strategy to defend reproductive freedom and safeguard the privacy of patients and providers.”
“As President, she will never allow a national abortion ban to become law.”
“Vice President Harris and Governor Walz trust women to make decisions about their own bodies, and not to have the government tell them what to do.”
“And when Congress passes a bill to restore reproductive freedom nationwide, she will sign it.”

Student Perspective on Abortion

Spartan Spin Staff were unable to find opposing student perspectives relevant to abortion.

ECONOMY

The economy directly influences our daily lives, from job opportunities to the cost of education. Economic policies shape our future, and understanding these issues enables us to advocate for policies that support job growth, fair wages, and affordable education.

TRUMP

“President Trump confronted unfair trade practices, imposed tariffs on China that brought billions of dollars into the federal treasury, expanded American agriculture, and opened thousands of new factories.”
“President Trump will implement a 4-year national reshoring plan so that the United States no longer needs to rely on China for essential medical and national security goods, and ban Chinese ownership of all critical infrastructure in the United States. “
“We will bring back our supply chains, and build America into the manufacturing superpower of the world.”
“President Trump’s vision for America’s economic revival is lower taxes, bigger paychecks, and more jobs for American workers.”

HARRIS

“ Kamala Harris will create an Opportunity Economy where everyone has a chance to compete and a chance to succeed — whether they live in a rural area, small town, or big city.”
“As President, she will fight to cut taxes for more than 100 million working and middle class Americans while lowering the costs of everyday needs like health care, housing, and groceries.”
“She will strengthen Social Security and Medicare for the long haul by making millionaires and billionaires pay their fair share in taxes.”

Student Perspective on Economy

IMMIGRATION

Immigration policies impact our communities and the diversity within our schools. These policies can affect friends, neighbors, and even family members.

TRUMP

“He ended catch-and-release, took down human traffickers, deported record numbers of illegal alien gang members, and built 450 miles of powerful new wall.”
“He will again end catch-and-release, restore Remain in Mexico, and eliminate asylum fraud.”
“President Trump will deputize the National Guard and local law enforcement to assist with rapidly removing illegal alien gang members and criminals.”
“He will also deliver a merit-based immigration system that protects American labor and promotes American values.”

HARRIS

“Vice President Harris and Governor Walz believe in tough, smart solutions to secure the border, keep communities safe, and reform our broken immigration system”
“As President, she will bring back the bipartisan border security bill and sign it into law. At the same time, she knows that our immigration system is broken and needs comprehensive reform that includes strong border security and an earned pathway to citizenship.”

Student Perspective on Immigration

FOREIGN POLICY

Foreign policy decisions influence global stability, trade, and national security. Being informed about foreign policy helps us understand our country’s role in the world and how international relations affect us domestically.

TRUMP

“President Donald J. Trump forged international cooperation among strong, sovereign, and independent nations to create a future of peace, prosperity, and promise for the world.”
“He combatted Radical Islamic terrorism, withdrew from the disastrous Iran Nuclear Deal, and suspended travel and refugee resettlement from the world’s most dangerous regions.”
“As a result of his bold diplomacy and principled realism, President Trump brokered four Middle East peace deals, collectively called the Abraham Accords, and our NATO allies agreed to pay $400 billion more in defense spending.”

HARRIS

“Five days before Russia attacked Ukraine, she met with President Zelenskyy to warn him about Russia’s plan to invade and helped mobilize a global response of more than 50 countries to help Ukraine defend itself against Vladimir Putin’s brutal aggression.”
“She and President Biden are working to end the war in Gaza, such that Israel is secure, the hostages are released, the suffering in Gaza ends, and the Palestinian people can realize their right to dignity, security, freedom, and self-determination.”
“She has met with China’s Xi Jinping, making clear she will always stand up for American interests in the face of China’s threats, and traveled to the Indo-Pacific four times to advance our economic and security partnerships.“

Student Perspective on Foreign Policy

ENVIORNMENT

Environmental issues are critical for our generation. Climate change, pollution, and conservation efforts directly impact our health and future.

TRUMP

“Under President Donald J. Trump’s leadership, the United States became the number one producer of oil and natural gas on earth, achieving American energy independence and delivering historically low costs for oil, gas, diesel, and electricity to consumers and businesses.”
“Trump will unleash the production of domestic energy resources, reduce the soaring price of gasoline, diesel and natural gas, promote energy security for our friends around the world, eliminate the socialist Green New Deal and ensure the United States is never again at the mercy of a foreign supplier of energy.”

HARRIS

“As Vice President, she cast the tie-breaking vote to pass the Inflation Reduction Act, the largest investment in climate action in history.”
“As the Vice President said at the international climate conference, COP28, she knows that meeting this global challenge will require global cooperation and she is committed to continuing and building upon the United States’ international climate leadership”
“She and Governor Walz will always fight for the freedom to breathe clean air, drink clean water, and live free from the pollution that fuels the climate crisis.“

Student Perspective on Environment

Now that you’ve learned about five key issues and the candidates’ stances on them, it’s time to use your vote and choose the candidate who best aligns with your values and vision for the future by completing our poll.

Who would you vote for?

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For more detailed information about the upcoming election feel free to visit some of the sources below.

The Spartan Spin

The Spartan Spin

The Spartan Spin

Donald Trump vs. Kamala Harris: The Battle for America’s Future

Student Perspective on Abortion

Spartan Spin Staff were unable to find opposing student perspectives relevant to abortion.

Student Perspective on Economy

Student Perspective on Immigration

Student Perspective on Foreign Policy

Student Perspective on Environment

Now that you’ve learned about five key issues and the candidates’ stances on them, it’s time to use your vote and choose the candidate who best aligns with your values and vision for the future by completing our poll.

The Spartan Spin

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