As the US Presidential Election 2024 enters its final week, the race for the White House remains incredibly tight, with Republican nominee Donald Trump and Democratic nominee Kamala Harris locked in a neck-and-neck battle. Every vote, every campaign event, and every development in the coming days will play a crucial role in deciding the 47th President of the United States.
Early voting has already surpassed 41 million, according to the Election Lab at the University of Florida. Historically, Democrats have enjoyed an advantage in early voting. In the 2020 election, held amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, over 100 million voters cast their ballots before Election Day, ultimately leading to Joe Biden’s victory. This year, a CBS News/YouGov poll shows Harris leading Trump nationally by a narrow margin, but well within the survey’s margin of error.
With Election Day just days away, several factors are likely to shape the outcome, as identified by the Associated Press (AP). One of the most significant is the escalating crisis in West Asia, a region often referred to as the Middle East by Western media. As Iran awaits to respond to Israel’s airstrikes, the situation hangs precariously, potentially spiraling towards an all-out war. This could have a major impact on the US Presidential election, especially given the candidates’ contrasting approaches to the region. Harris has pledged to support Israel while expressing empathy for Palestinian victims of Israel’s actions, while Trump has remained steadfastly supportive of Israel.
The next US President will inherit a volatile foreign policy landscape, facing one of the most challenging situations in decades. This makes the West Asia crisis a critical issue that could influence voter decisions.
Meanwhile, Harris’ campaign is exuding confidence, with senior advisor Jen O’Malley Dillon predicting a victory. “We are confident we’re going to win this thing,” Dillon said on MSNBC. “We’re seeing extraordinary enthusiasm. This is going to be a close race, and our campaign is exactly where we want to be,” she added.
Harris is set to deliver her closing argument on October 29 at the Ellipse, the same location where Trump addressed his supporters shortly before the January 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol Hill. This event will be closely watched as Harris aims to solidify her position and appeal to voters.
Trump’s campaign, however, has entered the final week marred by controversy. A rally at Madison Square Garden, intended to be a closing message, was overshadowed by racist insults, including a comedian’s derogatory remarks about Puerto Rico. This incident adds to a history of controversial statements and actions by Trump, which could further impact the election.
Trump has also intensified his attacks against his Democratic opponents, labeling them as ‘the enemy within’ and portraying them as more dangerous to the country than external threats like Russia and China.
Adding to the complexity of the situation are ongoing criminal investigations into Trump, who has already been convicted of 34 felony charges. These investigations could potentially reveal new information that could influence the election results.
Just as in the 2016 election, the final days leading up to Election Day are crucial. In 2016, former FBI Director James Comey sent a letter to Congress about newly discovered emails related to Hillary Clinton’s email server investigation, impacting the campaign significantly.
With the outcome ultimately resting on seven swing states – Michigan, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Arizona, Georgia, Nevada, and North Carolina – both candidates are focusing their efforts on these key battlegrounds.
Harris, after visiting Pennsylvania, will campaign in Michigan, followed by North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. She will then head to Nevada and Arizona. Trump will be in Georgia, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Nevada, and Virginia in the final week.
The next few days will be crucial as voters make their final decisions, influencing the future of the United States and its role in the world.
