“She’s joyful, enthusiastic, and in tune with what the American people want and need. I believe that we feel understood by her,” said Beatriz Lindemann ’25 about Vice President Kamala Harris.
As the 2024 election approaches, Harris stands out as the one candidate who is focused on solutions for the challenges facing our nation. Her approaches to reproductive rights, economic injustice and national security reflect her determination to move the country forward.
Harris’s commitment to protecting women’s autonomy is a key reason to consider her over Trump.
Trump strategically appointed Supreme Court justices to overturn Roe v. Wade–and they did. However, even if abortion is made illegal, it won’t stop; the illegality will drive the procedure underground, resulting in unsafe practices. Maternal mortality rates in states with abortion bans have risen 62% higher than in states with abortion access, according to the Commonwealth Fund. As Tim Walz noted during the Vice Presidential debate, “How can we as a nation say that your life and your rights… [are] determined by geography?”
As the statistics reveal, this issue is not only widespread, but a profound and urgent crisis. The overturning of Roe v. Wade continues to inflict harm on countless lives. Following Texas’ 2021 abortion ban, a direct consequence of policies promoted by Trump, the state witnessed a staggering 56% increase in maternal mortality rates, according to NBC.
Unlike Trump, who has been found liable in sexual assault civil suits and has made derogatory remarks about women, Harris supports the protection of women’s rights.
One of the most important issues for voters this year is the economy. Critics often argue that the Biden-Harris administration has mishandled economic policy and that the Trump economy was more prosperous. However, these claims warrant a closer examination.
The U.S. economy is currently thriving, with the S&P 500 and the Dow Jones Industrial Average recently hitting all-time highs. Despite inheriting high unemployment and economic uncertainty from the COVID-19 pandemic, the Biden-Harris administration has kept the economy stable, preventing a potential crash.
Trump’s 2017 tax cuts primarily benefited the wealthiest Americans, contributing to growing economic inequality. In contrast, Kamala Harris has advocated for policies like expanding the Child Tax Credit and increasing wages for low-income workers, aimed at narrowing the wealth gap and supporting middle- and working-class families.
5 million Americans gained health insurance coverage under the Biden-Harris Administration, while the uninsured rate increased by around two million during Trump’s presidency.
The Biden-Harris economic policies have also been pivotal in averting a recession and reducing inflation. According to CNBC, after peaking at 9.1% in June 2022, the inflation rate fell to 3.7% in September 2023. This was achieved through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and the Inflation Reduction Act, which are projected to reduce the deficit by about $300 billion over the next decade, according to the White House.
A letter published by 700 former national security and military officials endorsing Harris over Trump said, “Where…Harris is prepared and strategic, [Trump] is impulsive and ill-informed.”
Amid ongoing global conflicts, Trump has praised dictators like Kim Jong-un and Vladimir Putin, while Harris has rallied global support for Ukraine.
“I think that her statements are preferable to some of the statements that Trump made in terms of leaving NATO, which could damage our standing among international partners,” said Todd Malone ’25.
“Her temperament is more calm, which is important when dealing with foreign leaders,” added Max Salomon ’25. “If you’re someone who is prone to outbursts, anger, or can easily have your ego stroked, then you’re less likely to be an effective negotiator.”
On immigration, Harris is working to create a humane system of smart border management, using advanced technologies and data-driven approaches instead of family separations and physical walls. The Trump Administration separated about 4,000 children at the border.
In 2021, Harris helped pass the U.S. Citizenship Act, which aimed to reunify families who have been separated and improve border security. Harris’s future immigration plan includes hiring 1,500 additional agents to enforce laws and create a stronger border.
Meanwhile, Trump’s decision to halt bipartisan immigration reform efforts, including the Border Control Act, showed how he prioritizes maintaining power over reaching solutions.
Harris is often labeled a ‘DEI hire.’ But this statement fails to acknowledge that Trump had no political experience before his presidency, while Harris has experience as the Attorney General of California, a senator, a prosecutor, and the Vice President.
If elected, Harris’s presidency would mark an advancement in equal representation. As Humanities Department Chair Ms. Jen Nero pointed out, her election would be “a tectonic shift in politics. Western democracies and non-Western democracies have had women, and the United States, being a beacon of equality, has not.”
Harris values democracy, believing that government should reflect the will of the people. Meanwhile, Trump was the first president to undermine the peaceful transfer of power through his efforts to overturn the 2020 election and his support of the attempted coup on January 6, 2021.
While many politicians seek to divide, Harris calls for togetherness. She isn’t feeding off the anger and fear that have divided us. Instead, she’s calling for a new era of collective action. This is the kind of leadership we need now more than ever.
