Kamala Harris has unofficially secured the Democratic nomination for the US presidential election. Following President Joe Biden’s departure, Vice President Kamala Harris was publicly endorsed by Biden.
Although the formal selection process has not been finalised, it has essentially been unofficially announced. Consequently, a significant number of Americans currently consider Kamala to be the presumptive Democratic Party’s presidential candidate.
Will Kamala make history?
In 1829, Andrew Jackson made history by becoming the first president of the United States from an immigrant family.
This event was significant as it highlighted the inclusivity and diversity of the nation’s highest office.
If Kamala Harris were to be elected as the president in this year’s upcoming election, she too would create history as the another president from an immigrant family to hold the esteemed position of the American presidency.
An important question to consider is the potential impact of Kamala Harris winning the presidency on America.
Drawing on her extensive experience in international affairs and her deep understanding of global politics, Harris’s leadership would likely bring a fresh perspective to the nation.
As a female leader with a long history of involvement in diplomatic affairs, her approach to formulating her presidential election manifesto would be of significant interest.
One of the key issues in this year’s presidential election is the Russian invasion of Ukraine. It is important to note that the positions of the candidates on this matter differ.
The current president, Trump, is perceived to potentially neutralise his support for Ukraine, while it is anticipated that Kamala Harris’s stance would differ significantly.
Notably, the Russian invasion of Ukraine is expected to commence in 2022. The Biden administration has already taken steps to show support for Ukraine by providing military equipment, a move that Kamala Harris has also publicly supported.
This divergence in viewpoints underscores the potential contrasting approaches towards international conflicts between the different candidates.
The Russia-Ukraine conflict
Kamala Harris advocated for providing support to Ukraine and Israel. She assumed a prominent role as the head of the American delegation at the 2022 Munich Security Conference, using the platform to strongly condemn Russia’s actions.
Her commitment to addressing the Russian threat was further demonstrated when she represented the United States at the Conference for Peace in Ukraine in Switzerland in June 2024.
During this event, she expressed the American position that Russian hegemony should be dismantled, emphasising the need for collective action against Russian aggression.
Additionally, Harris engaged in a series of crucial discussions with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyi on six separate occasions to strategise on countering Russia’s activities.
With regard to Donald Trump’s stance on the Ukraine-Russia situation, it is important to recognise the influence of his “America first” policy.
While some speculate that Trump may attempt to foster a narrative that discourages influencing Russian President Vladimir Putin, others believe that he may initiate a peace program aimed at bringing an end to the Russian-Ukraine conflict.
Interestingly, the idea of resolving the conflict through a peace initiative garners stronger support from pro-Western countries, particularly in Europe, compared to the United States.
Presently, there is a robust debate within European countries on how Trump’s approach may shape the dynamics surrounding Russia.
NATO
The functioning of NATO is an important issue to consider. NATO is an organisation that serves as a security alliance between European and North American countries.
It is considered a US responsibility to support NATO. Kamala Harris is known for her strong commitment to fulfilling this responsibility. On the other hand, Trump has voiced concerns about the large amount of money the US spends on maintaining NATO and has even announced his intention to withdraw from the alliance.
This has led to allegations that Trump’s statements are aimed at weakening the organisation. European leaders have been working to position NATO as an organisation with a special mission for global security, but they have expressed concerns that Trump’s statements threaten global security.
It’s worth noting that a majority of Americans currently perceive Trump as a leader focused on strengthening the American national economy.
Position on China
The US presidential election has brought China’s role to the forefront, with both Trump and Harris criticising the country, but with differences in their positions.
Kamala Harris appears to focus on geopolitical power struggles when commenting on China, whereas Trump’s focus is primarily on economic issues.
Harris has heavily emphasised China’s activities in the South China Sea and its threatening behaviour, while China claims that the US is unfairly trying to address certain issues and accuses the US of hoping to kerb China’s activities.
Harris’s stance on the conflict between South Korea and North Korea remains unclear, but it is believed that she may not prioritise peace efforts between the two countries.
While Harris has stated that China’s encroachment in sea areas poses a threat to global security, Trump held talks with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in 2019 with the aim of fostering friendship between North and South Korea. Harris has expressed a negative view on Trump’s talks with Kim.
Campaign against Kamala Harris
Accusations have been made against Kamala Harris, attempting to portray her as unsuitable to lead America.
The campaign aims to highlight her perceived shortcomings, including a statement by James David Wansey, the Republican Party’s vice presidential nominee, suggesting that a woman without children should not be allowed to be President.
After President Joe Biden withdrew from the presidential race, he endorsed Harris. However, her candidacy still needs to be approved at the Democratic Party Convention from August 7 to 22. Former President Donald Trump claims it would be easy for him to defeat Harris.
The American presidential election is clearly intensifying due to Harris’s nomination for the Democratic Party presidential candidacy. The choice between Kamala and Trump now lies with the American electorate.
