The Collegian acknowledges that the 2024 presidential election is unlike any in modern history and recognizes how pivotal this choice will be in shaping our country for the next four years, if not beyond.

Six support Vice President Kamala Harris

Vice President Kamala Harris’ debate performance against her opponent solidified our belief that she has a far stronger grasp of how to lead.

Harris has a better plan for the economy. Her plan offers up to $25,000 in down payment assistance for first-time homebuyers, aims to build $3 million new housing units, and doubles a $40 billion fund for local housing solutions.

Additionally, she proposed a ban on price gouging by grocery stores as part of a broader plan to lower costs, empowering the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to investigate the excessive pricing responsible for our rampant inflation. If she wins, we get an economy that works for everyone, not just the wealthy few.

Harris is better on immigration, favoring comprehensive immigration reform rather than just deporting between 15 and 20 million undocumented people.

She has expressed deep concern over the devastating loss of innocent lives in Gaza. She plans to work toward a ceasefire that stops the bloodshed and respects the dignity, security, and freedom of the Palestinian people.

She respects a woman’s right to make her own choices about her body. She supports codifying abortion protections into federal law and advocates ending the Senate filibuster to restore Roe’s standards.

Lastly, she will respect the results of a free and fair election—something her opponent refuses to do.

Harris’ vision for a fairer, more just nation is what makes her our choice to guide our country forward.

One supports former President Donald Trump

Former President Donald Trump offers the decisive leadership we need to restore economic stability and national strength. His commitment to ending inflation, reducing debt and eliminating taxes on tips aims to revive the flourishing economy that existed before the current administration.

Trump didn’t just talk about change; he took action, making tough decisions with other countries to prioritize U.S. interests and implement economic policies that genuinely benefited Americans. After being hit by a once-in-a-lifetime pandemic, the economy rebounded under his administration, not only surging back, but also surpassing the economic performance of many other western countries.

This determination extended to securing our borders, where he took steps to build a wall to protect national security.

Under his leadership, domestic manufacturing and oil drilling flourished. In Trump’s first 30 months of presidency, manufacturers added 499,000 jobs, a 4.0% increase. This was 314,000 more jobs than during the same period under former President Barack Obama, a 170% advantage.

Today, we need that same vision and leadership to regain what we had before: affordable groceries, lower fuel prices, reduced interest rates, better education and the removal of toxins from our food supply.

We may not need to be friends with those who lead, but we need them to be effective. Trump has proven he can get the job done. With a strong military, a dedicated police force and a robust workforce, he can ensure a safer, more prosperous future for all Americans.

Three abstain

We’ve seen many people support either Trump or Harris under the ‘lesser of two evils’ theory, but we believe this country deserves better. In our view, neither candidate is qualified to lead the nation.

This election has only deepened our nation’s divide, which isn’t helpful when assessing a candidate’s competence.

While we lean right on most topics based on religious views, we also recognize the value of left-wing policies that benefit others.

We believe that character and integrity are essential qualities for a leader, and we do not see Trump as someone who embodies these traits. We think his mouth gets him in trouble, and at times he says too much.

As for Kamala Harris, her plans for middle and lower-class citizens lack substance, and she has failed to address the border crisis despite years in office. After watching the debate, her most significant advantage seems to be that she isn’t Trump.

The real issue extends beyond the election; we need younger candidates who can address the needs of the incoming generation while fostering unity by healing the divide, embracing diverse perspectives and bringing people together to work for the common good.