Kamala Harris or Donald Trump: Who do you prefer as President?
School in the New York metropolitan area either start this week or next. I prepared this material for high school classes. Teachers should feel free to modify it for use with their classes. If you email me at catajs@hostra.edu, I will send you the lesson as a word attachment.
Introduction: The 2024 presidential election gives voters a sharp choice between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump, two candidates who are apart on several policies and who have different visions of the future of the United States. There will be approximately eight weeks left until election day when students return to school in September. So far, the only scheduled debate will be September 10. Harris is a former prosecutor in San Francisco, the California Attorney General, and a United States Senator. Trump’s business roots are in real estate development, but he has corporate interests in several areas. He was host of a popular television show before becoming President. Questions have been raised about the qualifications of both candidates for the Presidency.
Questions raised about Former President Donald Trump’s Qualification to be President: During campaign events and news conferences, Donald Trump meanders off topic, avoids answering questions, and states falsehoods raising questions about whether he is equipped to perform the job of President. He makes personal attacks on opponents and others, has praised people who invaded the U.S. Capitol building in 2021 as patriots and promised to pardon them, still denies the validity of the 2020 election, displays uncertain knowledge of the U.S. Constitution, was convicted of criminal offenses and found libel in civil trials, and he faces additional criminal charges. Judges that Trump nominated to the Supreme Court have supported controversial legal decisions including overturning a woman’s right to end a pregnancy.
Questions raised about Vice President Kamala Harris’ Qualification to be President: Because she was a late replacement for Joseph Biden as the Democratic Party nominee, Kamala Harris did not participate in a primary campaign where opponents could challenge her experience and ideas, and voters could not learn how she would respond under pressure. She is running as an heir to the achievements of the Biden administration and should get credit for achievements like investment in infrastructure, but there are lingering issues that have not been resolved including inflation causing high food prices, a migrant crisis at the southern border, and the role of the United States in the war between Ukraine and Russia and Israel’s actions in Gaza following the October 7, 2023 attack by Hamas.
On the Issues: Working with your team, use the document package to learn where Harris and Trump stand on key issues including the state of democracy in the United States, the economy, education, foreign policy, social issues like abortion rights and diversity programs, climate change, immigration, and the impact of technology and social media. Complete the chart and answer questions 1–4.
Questions
1. In your opinion, which demographic groups would tend to support each of the candidates? Explain
2. Which candidate’s views come closer to your own? Explain.
3. Based on the issues outlined here, who do you tend to support? Why?
4. Factoring in other concerns such as experience and personality, who do you tend to support? Why?
Follow-Up Assignment due one week after the election on November 5:
1. Keep an election diary with a minimum of one entry per week including your evaluation of any Presidential debates.
2. Maintain a current events news portfolio with at least 10 news or opinion articles about the election and the election results. Write a 100-word minimum summary of each article that incudes your reactions.
3. Write a 500–1,000-word newspaper style op-ed essay explaining your views on how the campaigns were conducted, the results of the elections, and your concerns about the future.
Class Dialogue Discussion Instructions
1. Prior to our discussion, read the package and decide where you currently fall on this spectrum.
2. Everyone will get to speak before people get a second opportunity, so take notes so you can remember what you want to say and refer to points raised by other community members.
3. Use evidence to support your opinions.
4. This is a community where people will share their ideas. Be respectful of others.
Supplemental Questions for Discussion
1. How important are the Vice-Presidential candidates in choosing who you support? Explain
2. Are you influenced by public opinion polls and campaign ads? Explain.
3. Did celebrity and media endorsements and sources of campaign donations influence your thinking? Explain
Sources for material in the document package include:
https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2024-election/harris-trump-stance-issues-policies-president-race-rcna150570; https://digiday.com/marketing/where-kamala-harris-and-donald-trump-stand-on-big-tech-issues/; https://apnews.com/article/trump-harris-issue-positions-worlds-apart-3f80a342c790da64e3de92a4f5760991; https://glaad.org/harris-vs-trump/; https://www.newsweek.com/kamala-harris-donald-trump-science-abortion-ai-climate-change-1928559.
Harris and Trump on the Attack on the Capitol Building
Harris was at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, before the attack took place and was in the Democratic National Committee headquarters when a pipe bomb was discovered outside. Harris said that the Capitol riot showed the “duality”” of the nature of democracy: it could be extremely strong when it is under attack” but also “extremely fragile” unless people put in the work to sustain it. Neither Harris nor Biden have a direct role in the prosecution of Jan. 6 defendants. On Jan. 6, Trump called those who showed up at the Capitol very special and described the attack as “the things and events that happen when a sacred landslide election victory is so unceremoniously & viciously stripped away from great patriots who have been badly & unfairly treated for so long.” Trump promised he will pardon a large portion of the rioters and free those he calls the January 6 hostages. He accuses the Justice Department of pursuing political prosecutions against him and unfairly prosecuting his supporters who were involved.
Harris and Trump on the 2020 Presidential Election
As a United States Senator representing California, Kamala Harris joined her Democratic colleagues in voting to certify the 2020 election results. Donald Trump refused to concede and promoted theories charging fraud and that the election was stolen. Some Jan. 6 defendants described themselves as gullible for accepting his assertations about the 2020 election. Without supporting evidence, Trump continues to claim that the 2020 election was stolen by Biden and the Democrats.
Harris and Trump on Economic Initiatives
Electric vehicles: The Biden-Harris administration has used a combination of carrots and sticks to encourage electric vehicle manufacturing in the U.S. to address climate change by slowly phasing out gas-powered vehicles. Trump argues electric vehicle mandates are a threat to the auto industry and U.S. economy and pledges to repeal all Biden-Harris initiates. He argues electric vehicles are less reliable than gas-powered cars and trucks.
Housing: Harris advocates for federal programs to expand access to affordable housing and reduce homelessness including $25,000 in downpayment assistance for first time home buyers. She has spoken out against racial bias in the home appraisal process and as a Senator introduced legislation to provide tax credits to households whose rent and utilities exceed 30% of their income and to invest more than $100 billion in affordable housing. Trump would lower housing costs by encouraging the construction of new housing on the periphery of cities and suburban areas where land is cheapest, but not subsidize low-income housing in suburban areas. Trump claims he can lower energy and mortgage rates to make housing more affordable.
Safety net: Biden-Harris federal budgets called for no benefit cuts and higher taxes on upper earners to fund any long-term shortfall. Trump promises no cuts to Social Security or Medicare but savings on other entitlement programs.
Taxes: In 2020, Harris called for repeal of the Trump era tax cuts. The Biden-Harris administration has proposed eliminating tax breaks for Americans earning over $400,000 with a 25% minimum tax on billionaires and raising the corporate tax rate from 21% to 28% and increasing the child tax credit. Both candidates support eliminating taxes on tips and Social Security. Trump favors extending the 2017 Trump tax cuts which are currently scheduled to expire at the end of 2025. Both candidates support eliminating taxes on tips and Social Security.
Tariffs: The Biden-Harris administration opposed cross-the-board tariffs but targeted tariffs on countries like China it accuses of unfair trade practices. Trump proposes a 10% tariff on all imported goods and a much higher tariff, perhaps 60%, on imports from China.
Labor Unions: Harris is a strong supporter of organized labor including the right to strike. She advocated for increased funds for labor enforcement agencies and increase penalties for companies that violate labor laws. Trump argues his economic policies will benefit union workers. He supports the right of companies to fire workers who go on strike and Supreme Court decisions limiting union power.
Harris and Trump on Education
Harris declared education a “fundamental right” including universal pre-K and debt-free college. She calls for increased teacher pay and criticized restrictions on teaching history. The Biden-Harris proposed $100 billion in student debt relief. Trump wants to eliminate the Department of Education and turn education policy completely over to states and localities permitting restrictions on curriculum, gender identity, affirmative action, and teacher tenure and permitting public funding for private and religious schools. Trump has pushed for cuts to programs that assist with student loan forgiveness because it is unfair to people who paid off student debt.
Harris and Trump on Foreign Policy
China: The Biden-Harris administration views China as a threat to peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region and as a threat to international rules established after World War II. Harris led efforts to bolster alliances in the region as a counterweight to China’s aggressive behavior in the South China Sea. She believes in continued dialogue with China. Trump wants to hit China with high tariffs. He proposes a four-year plan to boost manufacturing in the U.S. to end reliance on China for crucial goods. He would bar China from taking ownership of what he calls “critical infrastructure” in the U.S. while praising China’s leader Xi Jinping as “brilliant.”
War in Gaza: Harris argues for Israel’s right to self-defense and the elimination of Hamas while supporting the Biden administration’s approach: push for de-escalation, help broker a cease-fire that includes the return of hostages and promote a two-state solution. She called the situation in Gaza a “humanitarian catastrophe.” Trump claims the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel never would have happened if he were president and has pushed for a quick end to the war. As President, Trump infuriated Palestinians by moving the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem which both Israelis and Palestinians claim as their capital. He also worked to build ties between Israel and neighboring Arab states through the Abraham Accords.
Alliances: Harris will continue Biden’s strong support for NATO and other international alliances. Biden rallied the military alliance to oppose Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and views it as one of his chief accomplishments. In 2022, Harris declared the U.S. has “an unwavering commitment to NATO.” Trump wants an “America First” foreign policy, questions the importance of alliances like NATO, and demands that other members pay more to support the alliance. Trump believes the NATO response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine has been misguided and that he could resolve the conflict because of a personal relationship with Russian President Putin.
Harris and Trump on the Role of Government
Regulation: Harris sees government regulation and controls on price gouging as crucial for protecting the public, the environment, and worker rights. Harris supports efforts to allow Medicare to negotiate with pharmaceutical companies to secure better prices for consumers. Some of these goals have already been achieved. Donald Trump supports less government regulation. He believes excessive regulation stifles economic growth. He pledges to roll back environmental regulations, reduce oversite over the financial sector and the energy and healthcare industries. Particular targets are the Environmental Protection Administration and the Department of Education.
Civil Service: Harris defends civil servant protection for government employees to allow career officials to remain independent of from political appointees and elected officials. She champions the right of public sector employees to form and join unions. Trump calls the federal bureaucracy a “swamp” he pledges to drain. He wants to make it easier to fire career civil servants and to crack down on government whistleblowers.
Harris and Trump on Social Issues
Gun Regulation: Harris oversees the White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention. She supports pass red flag laws, universal background checks, and an assault weapons ban. Trump pledges to safeguard gun rights by appointing federal judges who oppose new firearm limits. As President, he signed a law that reversed an Obama-era regulation making it harder for people with mental illness to purchase guns.
Abortion Rights: Harris is a strong advocate for reproductive freedom and calls for legislation restoring the national standard permitting abortions that existed under Roe v. Wade. Trump takes credit for overturning Roe v. Wade because of the Justices he nominated to the Supreme Court. He wants each state to set its own policy including making abortions illegal.
Health Care: Harris defends the Affordable Care Act and, in the past, endorsed the idea of government ensured health care under Medicare for All. As president, Trump tried to eliminate ACA, including regulations on insurers and its subsidies for coverage. He used executive action to loosen regulations and endorsed suits to overturn it.
Gender Identification: Harris supports transgender rights and as district attorney in San Francisco prosecuted violence against LGBTQ people as hate crimes. Trump opposes transgender rights and gender-affirming care for minors. He considers gender an immutable biological condition determined at birth.
DEI: Harris supports diversity programs, including affirmative action. As California Attorney General she asked the Supreme Court to reaffirm that public colleges and universities may could the race of an applicant as one factor in admissions decisions. Trump calls Diversity, Equity and Inclusion initiatives “anti-white racism.” He wants to ban the teaching of “divisive concepts” and promotes school curriculum that focus on the achievements of the United States. Trump supporters dismiss Harris as a “DEI hire.”
Harris and Trump on Climate Change
Harris backs the progressive Green New Deal climate change framework and wants to hold polluting companies financially libel for damages to the environment. She pledges significant spending on clean energy spending and tax credits for electric vehicles. Trump is a climate change denier who withdraw the United States from the 2016 Paris Climate Agreement and will do it again. He pledges to “drill, baby, drill” and expand oil and gas production, relax emission and pollution regulations for coal-fired power plants. He argues environmental regulations stifle job creation. His campaign has reached out for support from the fossil fuel industry.
Harris and Trump on Undocumented Immigrants
As Vice President, Harris was responsible for exploring the root causes of migration from Central America. She opposes family separation and wants to permit undocumented spouses of U.S. citizens to apply for a green card. The Biden administration backed a bipartisan bill for stiffer requirements for asylum seekers that was blocked by Republicans after it was opposed by Trump. As Senator, Harris voted against Trump’s border wall. Kamala Harris co-sponsored the DREAM Act and supports the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program with a path to citizenship for undocumented adults brought to the United States as children. Trump promises to crackdown on asylum seekers and undocumented immigrants entering the United States through its border with Mexico. He proposes to deputize the National Guard and finish a wall to assist in law enforcement. He calls Harris Biden’s Border Czar and blames her failed immigration policy. As President, Trump separated families at the border, demonized Muslims, and unsuccessfully tried to end the DACA program. He opposes the DREAM Act and rejects amnesty for people who entered the country illegally. If elected, Trump promises a wave of deportations of undocumented immigrants
Harris and Trump on Technology and Social Media
Harris supports stricter regulation of social media platforms to address the spread of misinformation; online harassment and hate speech; election interference; and privacy concerns including the sale of personal data. As part of the Biden administration, Harris supports the law that would ban Tik Tok if it continues to be controlled by China, government regulation of Artificial Intelligence, and pursuing anti-trust action against tech giants. Harris called AI an “existential threat.” Trump is critical of what he sees as the liberal bias of some social media companies, charging that they censor conservative positions. He created his own social media platform when he was banned from Twitter, now X, for promoting falsehoods about the 2020 election but he has rejoined after developing close ties with Elon Musk. He is supportive of legislation “Ending Support for Internet Censorship.” In August 2020, Trump issued an executive order that would ban TikTok in the U.S. because of national security concerns. He now blames Democrats for restrictions on Tik Tok and joined the app. As Trump has garnered support from tech billionaires, he has moderated any criticism of the industry and calls for regulation. He promises to end restrictions on the development of AI.
