With Donald Trump staging an extraordinary political revival to clinch the US presidency for a second term, a seasoned Indian diplomat voiced that this triumph was essentially a mandate on the existing leadership of President Joe Biden. Trump, 78 years old and undeterred by age, put a full stop on the ambitions of Democrat candidate Kamala Harris, by leading a victorious campaign that became a sweeping rejection of her political viewpoint.
Although the prestigious inauguration ceremony at the symbolic White House is still a few months away, predictions are being made about Trump’s proposed agenda. The Indian diplomat and former ambassador to Italy alluded that Trump’s priorities could involve seeking resolution for the ongoing Ukrainian conflict.
Kamala Harris was stepped up to host the mantle of Democratic candidate for the election, but her connection with Joe Biden seemed to color her campaign with the profitability of Biden’s policies, rather than her own. It is worth noting that Kamala Harris was brought to the forefront because of Biden’s nomination; her candidacy inadvertently became a form of referendum on Biden’s economic policies.
Noticeably, the rising costs of everyday commodities, with a specific emphasis on gas prices, played a considerable part in the voters’ perception of the Democratic leadership. For a country like the United States, where immense road travel is ingrained in the people’s lifestyle, the escalating costs of fuel certainly added weight to the voters’ decision-making process.
Key issues that preoccupied the minds of the US electorate during this election spanned across topics such as immigration, border security, firearm regulation, individual liberties on reproductive rights, and international policy. Geopolitical tensions, such as the Russia-Ukraine conflict and the unrest in West Asia, were potentially influential factors in steering the electorate’s vote.
Trump, originally making his name in the real estate sector, was first elected as the 45th President of the US, under the promise of ‘Make America Great Again’. Now, having surpassed the 270 electoral vote threshold, he reprises his role in the White House, this time as the 47th US President.
Trump’s reinstated presidency is set to be tasked with an array of foreign policy challenges. The Russia-Ukraine conflict and the volatile situation in Gaza are expected to be on top of his international affairs brief. His supporters, who, it is worth noting, have demonstrated a significant backing for Israel.
It was apparent during the electoral proceedings that issues of international conflict, including the ever-resonating concerns of West Asia, were heavy considerations for many voters. These issues likely influenced the direction of many votes, and could be interpreted as tacit approval of Trump’s more assertive foreign policy stances.
The tension-filled race to the White House, dubbed as one of the tightest US elections recently, was marked by Trump and Harris aggressively campaigning, each launching scathing verbal attacks against the other relentlessly. Harris, however, personally failed to inspire trust in her leadership, arguably due to her alignment with Biden-era policies.
Had Kamala Harris, a 60-year-old woman of Indian and Jamaican descent, succeeded in her presidential ambitions, she would have created a historic precedent as the first female, first Black female, and first person of South Asian heritage to sit in the highest seat of the White House. However, now all these remain mere hypothetical scenarios as Harris’ candidacy failed in the face of Trump’s resurgence.
The discourse surrounding the various debated issues, such as the question of women’s reproductive rights, will unquestionably continue, amplified due to Trump’s renewed presidency. It is reasonable to believe that these contentious matters, previously divisive under Biden-Harris’s administration, will face even greater scrutiny now.
The old Indian diplomat critically observed that this victory should not be seen as an endorsement for more extremist elements within the US to champion further illiberal policies. However, whether or not these groups heed such words of caution remains to be seen in the era of Trump’s second-term presidency.
Evidently, the current election outcome has raised questions around the effectiveness of Biden and Harris, it may be seen as a critique of their leadership. This can be linked back to their perceived mishandling of economic issues, and their inadequacy to keep the costs of fundamental commodities like fuel in check.
In terms of international relations, the underperformance of Biden and Harris may indeed be viewed as a factor that shaped the collective decision of the voters. Their inability to effectively address conflicts, like the Russia-Ukraine issue and the West Asia situation, were perceived as part and parcel of their overall political shortcomings.
The failed presidential campaign of Harris, who tied her image strongly to Biden, was potentially undermined by Joe Biden’s questionable mandate. This failure is seen by many observers as a repudiation of the Biden leadership, reflecting more on Biden’s presidency than on Harris’ personal charisma or lack thereof.
In conclusion, one can deduce from the electorate’s decision that they found Biden and Harris’s administration lacking in several key areas, whether it’s economy or international relations. The result is a stern message to their leadership or the lack thereof, celebrating Trump’s comeback to the White House.