- It's the economy, stupid: content returns to the US election campaign
It's about the economy, stupid - an old adage from US elections. And after the recent wild weeks of an assassination attempt, candidate change, and personal attacks, content is slowly coming back to the fore. Specifically, the economic views of Donald Trump and Kamala Harris.
It's about the cost of living!
The Democratic presidential candidate, according to her advisors, is focusing on everyday issues, specifically aiming to lower the cost of groceries, housing, and healthcare, and to increase child benefits. Her campaign team has not officially commented on this approach. On August 16, Harris plans to present the details of her economic program at a campaign event in North Carolina.
The Reuters news agency comments on her plans, unlike those of US President Joe Biden, with the words: "Same values, different vision." Her economic program resembles Biden's and primarily targets the middle class, several Reuters advisors said.
"Housing market is in a crisis"
Her campaign team will particularly focus on what resonates with voters in the key swing states, with less than 90 days left until the presidential election on November 5. Harris also intends to keep Biden's promise not to raise taxes for people earning up to $400,000.
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The stern team on the ground keeps you informed every Saturday in the free newsletter "Inside America" about the most important developments and gives insights into how Americans really view their country. After entering your email address, you will receive an email to confirm your subscription. Your data will always be handled confidentially. "She is focusing on the housing issue because we and she know very well that the housing market in this country is in a crisis," said Marcia Fudge, an advisor to Harris and former housing and urban development secretary under Biden.
Inflation is going down
Economic issues can be decisive in the US election. In the fall vote, the consequences of the high inflation of recent years are likely to be a central issue. Under President Biden, inflation had risen to 9.1 percent by June 2022, the highest level in almost 40 years. The main causes were the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russian attack on Ukraine. The inflation rate is now around three percent.
The Republican presidential candidate and former president Donald Trump blames Biden and Harris for the significant increase in citizens' living costs in recent years. His plan for the economy: further tax cuts for middle-class households and the abolition of taxes on tips - a proposal that Harris also supports, but which is critically viewed by experts. Their concern: services will only be minimally paid, and the actual remuneration will be in the form of tax-free tips.
Donald Trump wants import tariffs
Trump also demands the introduction of comprehensive import tariffs, which Harris rejects. His idea: Americans should buy American products. And in the best-case scenario, production jobs will return to the US. However, this did not work well in Trump's first term.
In the upcoming presidential election on November 5, Kamala Harris and her campaign team are focusing on key swing states and addressing issues that resonate with voters, such as the housing crisis. Despite the economic program similarities with President Joe Biden's, Reuters highlights a different vision from Harris, stating, "Same values, different vision."
As the US election approaches, economic issues continue to be crucial, with the significant increase in living costs under President Biden and Vice President Harris being a central concern for the Republican presidential candidate, former President Donald Trump. Trump's plan includes further tax cuts for middle-class households and the abolition of taxes on tips, a proposal that both Trump and Harris support, although experts express concerns about the potential impact on minimum wage and service workers' income.
