US Elections 2024 Economy: The presidential race is heating up as the elections approach, with Democratic candidate Kamala Harris and Republican candidate Donald Trump showering voters with promises. The state of the economy has emerged as a crucial issue in this election. A recent survey conducted by the Associated Press – Center for Public Affairs Research revealed that many Americans believe their economy is in poor shape. Some citizens are concerned that their economy is not heading in the right direction, with the survey indicating that seven out of ten voters feel the country’s economy is on the wrong track. More voters consider the economy to be the primary issue compared to healthcare and crime, emphasizing their support for a leader who can effectively manage the economy, with the survey indicating that Trump lags behind Harris in this regard.
Divergent Views on the Economy
The survey pointed out that the two main candidates, Kamala Harris and Trump, have different ideas on how to improve the American economy. However, neither has fully explained how they would implement their plans. Harris claims that all her initiatives will be funded directly from the budget. In contrast, Trump argues that even if he borrows for his plans, the economic growth will cover those expenses. He asserts that giving tax breaks to the wealthy will boost the economy.
Trump has promised to reduce the corporate tax rate from 21% to 15%, suggesting this will encourage more investment. He also stated he would impose tariffs on goods imported from various countries, promising not to hesitate in applying 100% tariffs on countries that do not use the US dollar in international trade. On the other hand, Harris focuses on the middle class, pledging to work on solutions to rising prices. She promised to build an opportunity-driven economy with the right plans and suggested that higher taxes on the wealthy would provide funding to benefit the middle class. She argued this would help keep expenses in check and increase the growth rate. Harris warned that the tariffs Trump plans to impose would lead to higher prices in the US.
More Trust in Harris
According to the Associated Press survey, more voters trust Kamala Harris over Donald Trump regarding economic issues. It found that 54% of voters believe Harris can effectively manage the country’s economy, while 46% opposed her. Among voters regarding the economy, four out of ten support Trump, while the remaining six lean toward Harris. Notably, three times as many Black voters favor Harris over Trump, who only receives support from two out of ten Black voters. Harris also has more support among Hispanic voters, with six out of ten supporting her compared to four for Trump. The survey revealed that more than half of women voters in the US believe Harris can improve the economy over Trump, while only about 31% support him. The survey noted that younger voters are more disillusioned with the economy than senior voters, which could pose a challenge for Harris.
Independents are Key
In a September survey by the Associated Press, it was revealed that eight out of ten voters considered the economy to be the primary issue over healthcare and crime. Voters stated they would support the candidate who is best on this issue. The survey also indicated that 46% supported Harris’s pledges focusing on the middle class. Meanwhile, all polling indicates that Harris is likely to win by a narrow margin. This raises interest in which way independent voters will lean, as both candidates are making significant efforts to win their support.
