After bruising US campaigns, voters decide

 

Voters work on their ballot at a polling station at the Elena Bozeman Government Center in Arlington, Virginia, on September 20, 2024. [AFP]

US Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump have made their final pitch to voters after a bruising campaign blitz, especially in the seven swing states.

In a bid to outwit each other, the leading candidates ahead of the November 5th vote have appealed to the emotions of their Democratic and Republican parties’ supporters, often warning what their opponent would do should they win the Oval Office.

Harris has warned against giving unfettered power to an unstable and “unhinged” Trump when America needs a sober and calm president during a tension-filled period both at home and abroad.

Trump has warned against a “weak” Harris presidency and promised to make America great again, often claiming he would stop the wars in Ukraine and Gaza once in the White House.

On the issue of abortion, Harris says her presidency would give women more liberty to do what they want with their bodies, while Trump says he will protect women at all costs and by force, whether they want it or not.

Harris promises freedom and no return to 50 years back when the oppression of people’s rights was the order of the day, while Trump says he will make Americans stronger and bold against current global challenges.

In bare-knuckles advertising targeting specific audiences and states, the candidates have sought to discredit each other. Trump's campaign blames Harris and President Joe Biden for the deaths of 13 US soldiers abroad and not stopping illegal immigrants, especially along the Mexico border.

They have run adverts of dozens of Americans killed by criminals they claim are in America without proper documentation.

Harris's team on the other hand, carry ads depicting Trump as a hate and fear monger, often pointing to his 2020 rejection of Joe Biden’s election victory and supporting insurgency at the White House.

They accuse Trump of disrespecting Americans’ voices and democracy.

Trump has also hit at Harris’s lack of coherence on what she would do to revive the economy often claiming she is of low intelligence.

Harris on the other hand claims Trump is obsessed with pleasing his rich friends while at the helm, while she is focused on helping the working class own homes and create decent jobs for ordinary citizens.

After the gruelling campaigns, the final verdict will be delivered today with a counting of 538 electoral voters, where the first candidate to reach the magical 270 votes, will win the contest.