FOREIGN POLICY
It is a truth (fairly) universally acknowledged that foreign policy is not a top voter priority, but there are two international conflicts that are disrupting the US political landscape, and may influence people at the ballot box. Importantly, the divisions are as much within the parties as between them.
Recent campus protests relating to the conflict between Israel and Hamas have hit the headlines. Some coverage exaggerates the importance to younger voters, but the Harris campaign is concerned that some pro-Palestinian activists will not vote because they feel the Biden administration has been too supportive of Israel. There are demonstrators on this outside the DNC all week, making their criticism known.
The war in Ukraine has divided congressional Republicans with an aid package delayed for months due to Republican obstruction in the House. This war may not feature much on the campaign trail, but, if Trump returns to the White House, Ukraine and its allies will be anxious about the US reducing support.
DEMOCRACY
Democracy has been on the ballot before, as recently as 2022. It is a concern for Democrats and Republicans, albeit in different ways.
A majority of Trump supporters, wrongly, believe that their candidate actually won the 2020 election. In contrast, many still have vivid memories of the chaotic violence that took place at the Capitol on Jan 6, 2021.
These are the issues that are likely to bring people out to vote in November. The “brat summer” for Harris is almost over, and she’ll need to outline her commitment on these issues in advance of Nov 5.
Clodagh Harrington is Lecturer in American Politics at University College Cork. Alex Waddan is Associate Professor in American Politics and American Foreign Policy at University of Leicester. This commentary first appeared on The Conversation.
Source: CNA
